The government of Panama has retained four Cuban attorneys to represent ten Panamanian nationals detained in Havana since late February. The Panamanian Embassy in Cuba secured the legal team to defend the citizens, who face charges of “propaganda against the constitutional order” for allegedly painting critical graffiti.<\/p>\n
Officials confirmed the lawyers will participate in all phases of the judicial process within the Cuban legal system<\/a>. This move represents a significant escalation of Panama’s diplomatic efforts to manage a case that has strained bilateral relations.<\/p>\n Sources close to the process say the appointed attorneys have a mandate to safeguard the detainees’ rights and ensure procedural guarantees are met. The Panamanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs formally announced the legal representation on March 3.<\/p>\n “The jurists assumed formal representation of the citizens, with a mandate to participate in all phases of the process, from the preliminary investigation to its eventual conclusion within the Cuban penal system,” the ministry stated. [Translated from Spanish]<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Panama’s ambassador to Cuba, Edwin Pitty, visited the group at the Detention Center for Crimes Against State Security, known as Villa Marista, on March 4. He delivered personal hygiene products and medicines. Later, on March 25, Panamanian Foreign Minister Javier Mart\u00ednez-Acha<\/a> traveled to Havana for a direct meeting with all ten detainees.<\/p>\n Mart\u00ednez-Acha stated he observed the Cuban authorities were providing humanitarian treatment. His visit included high-level talks with Cuban President Miguel D\u00edaz-Canel and Foreign Minister Bruno Rodr\u00edguez Parrilla.<\/p>\nLegal Mandate and Diplomatic Visits<\/h2>\n
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Charges and Ongoing Detention<\/h2>\n