The Panamanian government has approved a new national program that will use culture, sports, and education as primary tools to fight gang violence and drug consumption. Called “Latidos del Barrio,” or “Heartbeat of the Neighborhood,” the initiative was presented to the Cabinet Council (Panama) by First Lady Maricel Cohen de Mulino and Minister of Culture María Eugenia Herrera. Officials aim to reach approximately two million Panamanians, focusing on historically marginalized communities through direct social investment.
This three-year plan represents a strategic pivot toward social prevention. Instead of relying solely on law enforcement, the program seeks to create what its architects call “living spaces” that foster community solidarity and respect. A total investment of 23.8 million balboas has been allocated. The per-person social cost calculates to just 10.82 balboas, a figure the government says guarantees equitable access to artistic and technical training for the nation’s youth.
Government Officials Emphasize Community Presence
During the presentation, both the First Lady and the Culture Minister framed the program as a fundamental shift in policy. They stressed that success depends on sustained, physical presence within neighborhoods to identify and nurture existing local talent.
“This is a program that walks with the communities, one that recognizes the talent that already exists in our neighborhoods and turns it into real opportunities,” said First Lady Maricel Cohen de Mulino. [Translated from Spanish]
“Culture must stop being seen as an accessory and start being understood as a strategic tool for social prevention,” stated Culture Minister María Eugenia Herrera. [Translated from Spanish]
The program’s immediate next steps involve the construction of ten new community centers across the country. Four will be built in the metropolitan area of Panama City, with the remaining six distributed in various provinces. These centers will serve as the physical hubs for the program’s activities.
Initial Projects Target Critical Zones
Work is already underway in several identified critical areas. The government has confirmed that projects and awarded contracts are active in three specific locations. These include the El Chorrillo neighborhood along the Cinta Costera, San Joaquín in Pedregal, and Ciudad Esperanza in Arraiján.
This focus on direct community intervention builds on existing models the Ministry of Culture (Panama) considers successful. Officials point to the national network of Youth Choirs and Orchestras as proof of concept. That program has expanded dramatically, growing from 1,215 students in 2017 to over 8,800 young participants in 2026.
The “Latidos del Barrio” program arrives as part of a broader administration strategy addressing social root causes of crime. Its launch follows other recent government actions focused on security and governance. The initiative now moves into its active implementation phase, with the first community centers expected to begin operations within the coming year.