Panama Meeting Narco Threat with More Technology
At a graduate ceremony for 168 new frontier police yesterday, President Martinelli announced the $150 million purchase of six helicopters and radars to fight narcotrafficking and the acquisition of six new motorboats donated by the Berlusconi government.
At the ceremony, Martinelli bestowed honorary medals on two National Frontier Service agents who lost limbs in a mine explosion in the Darien in June, saying that the State would provide them with homes, scholarships for their children and all of the necessary medical attention.
There was also mention of a new salary increase for police officers, La Prensa reports. This announcement comes a year after the government granted police raises ranging from $100 to $1,000. The amount of the new increase was not specified.
Re-militarization of Panama. I knew this day would have to come.
A few new boats and helicopters isn’t going to help. Panama will need a large army, patrolling borders, coasts, towns and cities. And a few US military bases on either coast wouldn’t hurt.