Appeals court upholds 50-year sentence for Colón murder

Panama's Superior Court of Appeals has confirmed a 50-year prison sentence for a man found guilty of aggravated intentional homicide and attempted homicide. The conviction relates to a violent incident that occurred in May 2023 in the province of Colón.

The ruling upholds Sentence No. 161, issued on October 15, 2025, by the Colón and Guna Yala Trial Court. The appellate judges rejected an annulment appeal filed by the defense after the trial court found the accused guilty based on evidence presented by the Public Ministry.

The attack took place on the afternoon of May 28, 2023, in the Los Lagos residential area of Cristóbal Este. According to the investigation, the convicted man arrived at the scene with another individual and allegedly opened fire with an unauthorized weapon during a sports event attended by many people. The gunfire struck two minors; one died from his injuries, while the other survived, leading to the attempted homicide conviction.

In addition to the 50-year prison sentence, the convicted individual faces a 30-year accessory penalty prohibiting him from possessing firearms once his primary sentence is completed.