Event Summary
On 29 July 2025, in an interview with Televisora Nacional-Channel 2, the country’s Attorney General indicated that 64 investigations are underway into alleged police abuse committed by members of the security forces during the protests in Bocas del Toro from April to June 2025. Additionally, complaints of similar incidents have been received in the provinces of Veraguas, Chiriquí, and Darién, bringing the total number of police abuse cases under investigation to 95. The Attorney General’s Office also reported that the case of a minor who died, possibly due to the excessive use of tear gas, is being investigated. The exhumation of the victim’s body was announced for August.
These investigations are critical for the enabling environment for civil society, as they address concerns over the use of excessive force by police. Civil society and other actors will be following the process closely, as the handling of these cases will signal the state’s willingness to uphold accountability, protect civic space, and ensure that law enforcement operates within human rights standards. Outcomes from these investigations could set important precedents for how similar incidents are addressed in the future.
The Attorney General also reported on the legal actions arising from the protests in Bocas del Toro. He detailed that 281 people have been prosecuted for crimes of arson, apology for crime and attack against public servants, most of whom face precautionary measures other than preventive detention.