Panama Deputies Question Attack on Representative – Police Director Closes Ranks in Defense of Officers

The conflict between members of the National Police and the representative of Tocumen, Arielis Barría, which occurred during a protest over the lack of water in the Cabuya sector, continues to generate reactions in different sectors of civil society and the political class.  On Wednesday afternoon, Police Director Jaime Fernández once again defended the actions of his subordinates, asserting that they were attacked by the representative, who, in his opinion, instead of “working for the good of the Police and the common good,” adopted a defiant stance.  When asked by the media about the public apology demanded by Amupa, Fernández reiterated that the officers were the ones attacked. When asked if any investigations were underway against any officer, he responded that no investigation had been initiated.

The director also indicated that the videos circulating on social media are being reviewed to confirm that the police followed the appropriate procedure.  Meanwhile, from the National Assembly, several deputies used their time during the incident period to reject—from their seats—any type of violence against women, the excessive use of police force, and the lack of response from the National Institute of Aqueducts and Sewers (IDAAN) to the lack of water that affects thousands of Panamanians daily. 

As a symbol of protest, Representative Grace Hernández carried tanks and containers to her seat, declaring that the lack of drinking water violates the rights of the people. She warned that, unless this problem is resolved, situations like the one that occurred will continue to recur.  For her part, Representative Walkiria Chandler went further and referred to the beatings suffered by Representative Barría, recalling what happened in Bocas del Toro and demanding an investigation into the officers who, she said, assaulted both the official and the community.

“We’re talking about a woman and an elected official who stood up for her people to defend them. What else needs to happen in this country?” she said.

Representative Luis Duque, for his part, questioned the fact that “it seems that repression is coming faster than solutions,” also alluding to what happened during the state of emergency and the suspension of constitutional guarantees in Bocas del Toro.

“This government isn’t seeking to understand the people’s problems. Why are they protesting? The message is clear: any opposition voice, or anything that even smacks of opposition, will be repressed and silenced,” Duque stated.

Finally, the president of the Association of Municipalities of Panama (Amupa), Nadine González, expressed her regret for the incident and urged the police director to publicly apologize to Representative