Ten Panamanians imprisoned in Cuba are in "appropriate conditions," says Panama's foreign minister

Panamanian authorities have initiated diplomatic efforts following the detention of ten Panamanian citizens in Cuba, accused of making graffiti against the Government and the political system of the island. The Chancellor of Panama, Javier Martínez-Acha, recently assured that the detainees "are in appropriate conditions" and ratified the intention to travel to Havana to personally address the case with the Cuban authorities. The Cuban Ministry of the Interior reported that the Panamanians, arrested on March 2, face charges related to the creation of messages with subversive content in the Cuban capital. The phrases, such as “Down with tyranny” and “Communism: enemy of the community”, appeared dated February 28 and made direct reference to both the Cuban political system and American figures such as Donald Trump, Marco Rubio and Mike Hammer.

Accusations and Legal Process

According to official information, the ten arrested reside in Panama and were accused of having been contacted in that country to carry out the graffiti in Cuba. The accusation indicates that, upon their return, they would receive payments ranging between USD 1,000 and USD 1,500 per person.

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The charges brought before the Cuban courts contemplate sentences of up to eight years in prison. The Cuban authorities consider that the actions of the Panamanians constitute a violation of the constitutional order, by promoting slogans considered subversive.

Actions of the Panamanian Government

The Panamanian ambassador to Cuba, Edwin Pitty, has visited the detainees and confirmed that they are receiving consular and legal assistance within the framework of international law. Chancellor Martínez-Acha stated that he intends to travel to Havana, although he still needs to coordinate the details of the visit. In statements to the press, Martínez-Acha stated that his purpose is “to personally show support” to Panamanian citizens and to dialogue with the Cuban authorities to seek a solution within respect for local legislation. The Panamanian government has shown its willingness to collaborate so that the situation of its nationals can be resolved as soon as possible. The detention of the Panamanians in Cuba has generated concern among their relatives and in Panamanian society, where the evolution of the case is being closely followed. For the moment, those arrested remain in custody and await the corresponding judicial proceedings. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Panama has reiterated its commitment to protect the rights of its citizens abroad and to maintain communication with the Cuban authorities in order to guarantee due process. The relations between Cuba and Panama have gone through cycles of distancing and reconciliation in recent decades, with episodes of crisis and a notable effort to re-establish and strengthen bilateral cooperation. The recent accreditation of Panamanian Ambassador Edwin Pitty Madrid to Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel in November 2024 marks the renewed commitment of both governments to deepen diplomatic relations, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Panama on its official portal mire.gob.pa. The most severe rupture in the recent history of the ties between La Habana and Ciudad de Panamá occurred in August 2004, following the decision of the then Panamanian president Mireya Moscoso to pardon four anti-Castro activists accused of plotting an attack against Fidel Castro in the year 2000. This caused Cuba to suspend diplomatic relations with Panama, generating a crisis that froze bilateral cooperation channels for a year, as reported by prensa.com. You can also read: The recomposition arrived in August 2005, with the arrival to power of Martín Torrijos. During his official visit to Havana, Torrijos and the Cuban authorities signed agreements to relaunch cooperation in different areas, thus formalizing the full resumption of diplomatic relations. Since then, both governments have maintained a dynamic of rapprochement that has allowed them to overcome previous tensions and promote projects of mutual benefit, according to the same Panamanian media.