Panamanian authorities have moved 29 high-danger inmates to a remote island prison. The operation took place on Saturday, June 13. The Ministry of Public Security confirmed the transfers were part of a broader strategy to weaken criminal networks operating from within the country’s prison system.
The inmates were relocated to the penal center at the Teniente Nelson Tenas naval air station on Isla Coiba, located in Veraguas province. Officials executed the operation in a staggered manner under strict security protocols. The Panama National Police and the National Aeronaval Service (Senan) coordinated the effort. They deployed a wide security apparatus to ensure the safe transfer of prisoners from various detention centers across the country.
Operation Targets Criminal Leadership Behind Bars
According to the Ministry of Security, the measure aims to tighten control over leaders of criminal organizations that pose a threat to national security. Authorities want to limit their ability to influence operations and coordinate illegal activities from inside prison walls. The transfer also addresses specific vulnerabilities detected at the Punta Coco detention facility. Officials believe inmates there were coordinating illicit activities that harm Panamanian citizens. [Translated from Spanish]
This action forms part of the State’s plans to strengthen penitentiary security, combat organized crime structures, and contribute to the reduction of crime rates in the country. [Translated from Spanish]
The Isla Coiba maximum security prison facility features highly specialized personnel trained in anti-narcotics operations. It also uses cutting-edge technology designed to neutralize any criminal activity originating from within the prison. The Ministry stressed that the action complied with current regulations. These rules authorize the National Police to handle internal prison security while the National Aeronaval Service manages external perimeter security.
Inter-Institutional Coordination Drives the Operation
Planning and execution of the transfer resulted from inter-institutional coordination. The goal was to guarantee an orderly and efficient process that followed established security protocols. The Ministry stated this operation is part of ongoing state efforts to enhance prison security and fight organized crime in Panama.
The government insists on its commitment to adopt necessary measures. These steps preserve public order and protect citizens from threats posed by criminal organizations. The remote location of Isla Coiba, historically used as a penal colony, makes escape nearly impossible. The island sits off Panama’s Pacific coast. It provides a natural barrier against external communication and coordination.
This transfer follows a pattern of similar high-security operations in recent months. Panama has struggled with prison violence and the continued operation of criminal gangs from within detention centers. The Punta Coco facility, in particular, has faced scrutiny for alleged corruption and lax security measures. Authorities did not disclose the specific criminal affiliations of the transferred inmates. However, sources indicate they include suspected leaders of drug trafficking and extortion rings.
The Ministry of Public Security confirmed that all transferred inmates have been processed and placed in isolated units. They will remain under constant surveillance. The government plans additional transfers in the coming weeks as part of a comprehensive review of prison security protocols across the nation. Security Coiba Island remains a top priority for the administration as it seeks to dismantle criminal networks from within the penal system.