Government Setting Up New Security Ministry

“Panama has a lot of problems and maybe the biggest is that of insecurity,” Martinelli said as he sanctioned the law creating the new Ministry of Public Security.

Current Minister of Government and Justice Jose Raul Mulino will lead the new ministry, supported by his Vice Minister Alejandro Garuz, Director of the Aeronaval Service Jacinto Tom and Chief of Police Gustavo Perez, all former military during the Noriega days.

The new ministry should begin operation in 60 days by preparing a budget and coordinating between its four entities:  the National Police and the National Immigration Service, the National Aeronaval Service and the National Frontier Services.

Martinelli also announced the implementation of an adversarial criminal justice system by year’s end,  a raise for police agents, that the Darien Gap will not be opened and that he will name an unnamed “iron woman” to the new ministry.

La Prensa reports.