Panama President Mulino Claims that Those Transferred to Coiba Island have a “Direct Relationship” with Drug Trafficking.
Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino applauded the pilot plan of his Colombian counterpart, Abelardo de la Espriella, on the irrigation of drug plantations.
President José Raúl Mulino asserted on Thursday that all prisoners transferred to Coiba Island were there because they had “direct ties” to drug trafficking, and he warned that they would continue sending anyone with links to organized crime to that island prison. The president made these statements after learning of the transfer of two leaders of the Democratic Revolutionary Party (PRD) to Coiba. They are the former mayor of Colón, Alex Lee, and Representative Javier Lynch.
“Everyone on Coiba has a direct connection to drug trafficking, and a lot of it. And we will continue to send anyone who poses a problem in terms of drug trafficking to Coiba to isolate them from something very important, this… cell phones,” he explained.
Mulino pointed out that the public perception of the country’s crime rates is related to the territorial struggle between gangs. “That criminality that some would like to lump together with the entire country is not the same. They are killing each other. They are killing each other because of disputes over territory, merchandise, robberies, and so on. And also something important: leadership within the different gangs, especially the large ones, which have enormous territorial coverage,” he added.
On social media, mixed reactions emerged following this transfer of prisoners.
Applauds Colombia’s Plan.
Mulino also applauded the security strategy announced by his Colombian counterpart, Abelardo de la Espriella, in the fight against drug trafficking.
“I read yesterday that the President of Colombia is already beginning a pilot program to start large-scale fumigation of cocaine crops. Look, the moment that happens and President de la Espriella’s agenda is fulfilled, and that overproduction of cocaine, which is what’s complicating our national security situation, is largely eradicated, Panama will breathe a sigh of relief,” he emphasized.
The president of Colombia, Abelardo de la Espriella pictured above, ordered Colombia Migration and the Barranquilla Police to launch operations this week to identify undocumented migrants and foreigners committing crimes, who, he announced, will be deported.
