Democracy in Panama threatened by criminal organizations U.S.report

While the government is laying blame for increasing violence on television soap operas and calling for more parental discipline and church involvement, the U.S. State Department says democracy in Panama is threatened because of criminal organizations.
In recent days gang wars in Colon and other areas have led to daily assassinations in front of homes churches and in public places.
The Department considered Panama as "the mouth of the funnel" of the movement of narcotics from South America to the United States.
In its annual report on combating drug trafficking and money laundering in Central America, released Monday, the Department warned that “large drug shipments” are concentrated in Panama.
The report highlights the "growing drug trafficking through Panama by Colombian organizations, Mexican and other" reported EFE.

In addition,. report notes that the homicide rate in Panama rose from 11.1 per 100 thousand people in 2006 to 23.2 per 100 thousand in 2009, according to the findings of the report compiled by the news agency.

The report also refers to the fight against drug trafficking from other Central American countries like Guatemala, El Salvador, Nicaragua and Costa Rica.