Panama Will Not Institute Curfew
Panama, Jan 30 (Prensa Latina) Panamanian President Martin Torrijos said on Wednesday he would not extend the curfew on Colon to the rest of the country, despite survey indications that Panamanians favor such a measure. The Colon curfew was established after the murder of the Panamanian Chamber of Commerce vice president, and a TV street poll showed the majority favor similar curfews, at least in the more dangerous neighborhoods. However, Torrijos said this would leave the streets in the hands of criminals and exhorted the "good guys" in the Panamanian population not to tolerate criminals, but to denounce them to the police. The president said that an integral national security plan is under study and that after the carnivals are over next week, he will convoke a forum with all sectors to discuss and agree on anti-crime measures. He also stressed the connection between drug traffic and the proliferation of homicides and other crimes in Panama, but pointed out that Panama has confiscated more drugs than any other country in Central America.
