Panama's Community Mediation Centers Mark 20 Years Resolving Local Disputes

Panama's community mediation centers are celebrating two decades of service, providing a vital alternative for resolving local disputes outside the formal court system. These centers, overseen by the Administration's Attorney General's Office, address a range of common conflicts, including issues with excessive noise, disagreements between neighbors, problems with service providers, and unpaid debts not exceeding $1,000. With 26 centers spread across the country, each staffed by trained community mediators, the program facilitates dialogue and encourages voluntary agreements. Aristela Blandón, a mediator with 16 years of experience, highlighted the process, which begins with a pre-mediation phase to ensure voluntary participation. She cited an example of a $200 debt that a mediator helped resolve. These centers focus strictly on community matters, excluding criminal offenses. During the first half of 2026, the centers handled 1,982 cases nationwide, resulting in 505 successful agreements out of 636 mediations conducted. Taiska Tuñón, head of the mediation program, emphasized the program's reach and the mediators' role in fostering consensus. A forum was also held to exchange experiences and best practices in peaceful conflict resolution.

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We promote community mediation throughout the national territory with 26 installed centers, where each is administered by qualified community mediators and technicians who facilitate dialogue and ensure parties reach consensus.