A surge of gang related violence has struck multiple neighborhoods across Panama City this week, resulting in more than a dozen fatalities. Authorities link the killings to a bloody dispute between fragmented criminal groups fighting for control of local territory.
The violent spree began on Monday, April 6, according to preliminary police reports. A young man was killed in broad daylight on Domingo Díaz Avenue in an attack witnesses say involved multiple gunshots. The brazen shooting, described by officials as a potential contract killing, occurred around 2:00 p.m., alarming drivers and pedestrians.
Coordinated Attacks Spread Fear
Just 24 hours later, the violence shifted to the Río Abajo district. Armed assailants using high caliber weapons attacked a local gathering spot on 11th and a Half Street. That assault left a man and a woman dead and at least ten people wounded, including two minors.
The attacks continued in the same area. Gunmen stormed another nearby establishment, opening fire on residents and killing two more people while injuring several others. The atmosphere in these communities is now defined by fear, mourning, and deep uncertainty.
“When a criminal organization like the ones in Panama fractures, those below the leader necessarily believe they have the right or the aspiration to dominate the groups,” said retired police officer Carlos Icaza. [Translated from Spanish] “That is where the divisions come from when they fragment into two or four groups.”
Residents report the violence has intensified due to clashes between splintered gangs battling over territories linked to drug trafficking. The situation reached an alarming new level when a member of the National Police of Panama was killed in the populous El Chorrillo neighborhood, allegedly amid the gang confrontations.
Police Cite Drug Dispute as Catalyst
National Police Director Jaime Fernández pointed to a specific incident as a potential catalyst for the escalating violence. He connected the current wave to a dispute over lost narcotics shipments.
“Two containers headed to Europe, almost 3 tons of drugs were lost, and it turns out they were not drugs,” Fernández stated. [Translated from Spanish] “All this started an escalation, and we knew we could have situations of this type.”
Meanwhile, the violence spread to other points across the capital. In the Calidonia district, a young man was murdered in daylight in an incident captured on surveillance cameras. In Santa Cruz, another man was gunned down in a public street. A shootout between rival groups in the Curundú housing projects left two dead, one at the scene and another later at a hospital.
In response to the crisis, the National Police have intensified operations in the affected zones. These operations have led to the apprehension of several suspects as investigators work to determine their possible connection to the recorded homicides.
Authorities have reiterated their call for citizens to collaborate with any information that could help identify those responsible. The goal is to stop the wave of criminality that has placed the entire capital on alert. The streets of Panama City remain tense as police patrols continue and communities grapple with the aftermath of the attacks.