A Panamanian judge has ordered pretrial detention for former Arraiján Mayor Rollyns Rodríguez and three other ex-officials. The ruling, issued on Friday, February 13, stems from their alleged involvement in aggravated misappropriation of public funds.
The Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office of the Public Ministry (Ministerio Público) confirmed the judicial decision. Authorities allege the four individuals caused a patrimonial loss exceeding 815,000 dollars to the Arraiján Municipality.
“The precautionary measure of pretrial detention was ordered against the former mayor and three others,” a statement from the prosecutor’s office read. [Translated from Spanish]
During the hearing in La Chorrera, the judge set a 100,000 dollar bail option for Rodríguez. If posted, his detention would convert to house arrest with a prohibition on leaving the country. Bail for the other former officials was set at 50,000 and 10,000 dollars respectively, with house arrest and electronic monitoring bracelets as conditions for release.
Investigation Targets Decentralization Funds
Prosecutors allege the misdirected funds originated from a national decentralization program. These resources were specifically earmarked for district projects between 2022 and 2024. Investigators claim the money was handled irregularly instead of being used for its intended public purpose.
This case marks a significant development in Panama’s ongoing anti-corruption efforts. Rodríguez becomes the second former mayor of Arraiján to face investigations for alleged misappropriation of public funds (Peculado) related to municipal finances.
The legal team for the accused has already filed an appeal against the pretrial detention order. An appeals court hearing is scheduled for March 5 at 8:30 a.m. at the Tribunal of Appeals in Panama City.
“The defense presented an appeal resource against the precautionary measure,” court documents noted. [Translated from Spanish]
Arrest Follows Early Morning Operation
Authorities apprehended Rodríguez in the early hours of Thursday, February 12. The arrest followed an order issued by the Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office for his alleged participation in a crime against public administration.
After his capture, police transported the former mayor to the Ciudad del Futuro police station. Officials then took him to a medical facility for a standard evaluation. He was subsequently transferred to the Vacamonte barracks, where the penitentiary system held him until Friday’s crucial hearing.
Rodríguez served as mayor of Arraiján from 2019 to 2024. He represented the Democratic Revolutionary Party (Partido Revolucionario Democrático) during his five-year term.
The case developed from “Operation Town Hall,” a coordinated effort involving the Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office, the National Police, and the National Police Intelligence Directorate. As part of this operation, authorities raided residences in the Vacamonte, Cerro Silvestre, and Juan Demóstenes Arosemena districts of Arraiján. Prosecutors stated these raids yielded key evidence for the investigation into the missing public funds.
Panamanian law treats aggravated peculado as a serious offense against public administration. The case continues to unfold as the judicial process moves toward the March appeal date.