Panama police intensify crime crackdown amid rising vehicle robberies

The Panama National Police have stepped up patrols on the Frangipani road, a busy corridor between Santa Cruz and Curundú, after motorists reported thieves stealing phones, wallets and bags from stopped vehicles during traffic jams and floods. Police said a suspect was detained, but the lack of formal complaints prevented further legal action.

At the same time, the force is conducting nationwide operations under the "Plan Firmeza" program. July arrest figures show hundreds of detentions, with 539 arrests recorded over a 72‑hour period. Authorities say the aim is to deter crime and restore public confidence, stressing that the effectiveness of the crackdown depends on citizen reports and the judicial system processing the cases.