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Panama operation finds armed foreigners working without permits
🇵🇦 Panama /Crime & Justice

Panama operation finds armed foreigners working without permits

From TVN Panamá · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified New plan
  • Panamanian authorities conducted an inter-institutional operation targeting private security agencies, uncovering irregularities including armed foreigners without work permits.
  • The operation, involving the Ministries of Labor and Security, simultaneously inspected 21 locations in the capital, identifying issues like missing labor contracts and unregistered foreign workers.
  • Labor Minister Jackeline Muñoz stated that repeat offenders could face severe sanctions, including operational cancellation, as part of ongoing government efforts to ensure compliance with labor and security regulations.

Panama's Ministry of Labor and Security launched a sweeping operation Tuesday, targeting private security firms and uncovering a range of alleged violations. The inter-agency effort, which spanned 21 locations across the capital, revealed instances of armed foreign nationals working without proper permits and potential breaches of labor laws, including a lack of formal contracts.

In this moment there are around 21 points in the capital simultaneously. We already have nine firearms that are being withdrawn, we have more than five foreigners without work permits and also carrying firearms, which is not legal, it is not competent.

— Jackeline MuñozMinister of Labor and Development of Panama, detailing the initial findings of the operation.

Labor Minister Jackeline Muñoz reported that the operation yielded the seizure of nine firearms and identified over five foreign nationals carrying weapons illegally. "We also have labor incidents in the framework that they are not given labor contracts and the like," Muñoz explained, highlighting a systemic issue of non-compliance.

We also have labor incidents in the framework that they are not given labor contracts and the like.

— Jackeline MuñozMinister of Labor and Development of Panama, explaining further labor irregularities found.

The minister emphasized that companies with a history of violations would face escalating penalties. "Agencies that are repeat offenders could face more severe sanctions and even risk the continuity of their operations," she stated. This crackdown is part of a broader government initiative to ensure private security companies adhere to both labor standards and legal requirements, particularly given the sensitive nature of their services.

Companies that are repeat offenders could face more severe sanctions and even risk the continuity of their operations.

— Jackeline MuñozMinister of Labor and Development of Panama, warning about consequences for non-compliant businesses.

Muñoz also urged workers to report any irregularities, noting that most complaints are filed anonymously to protect those who come forward. The Ministry of Labor has received over 4,000 such denunciations this year, all of which are being investigated. Inspections will continue as authorities verify compliance within the private security sector.

We have received over four thousand and so many complaints through different channels in the Ministry this year, and we immediately act on them, protecting, of course, the information.

— Jackeline MuñozMinister of Labor and Development of Panama, discussing the volume of complaints received.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by TVN Panamá in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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