What Happened
Gustavo Pérez, a former director of Panama’s National Security Council who was sentenced to 50 months in prison in the wiretapping case, appeared on a work tour at the National Secretariat for Children, Adolescents and Families, known as Senniaf, in the role of security advisor.
Senniaf director Lilibeth Cárdenas said in a social media video that the agency brought in a security advisor to inspect the area and recommend measures to strengthen protection and improve control over escapes. Pérez accompanied Cárdenas during the visit to the CAI facilities in Tocumen.
Why the Visit Drew Attention
The appearance came one week after the shelter reported the escape of a group of teenagers, placing security conditions at the center of public attention. The presence of a figure previously convicted in a high-profile wiretapping case adds another layer of scrutiny to Senniaf’s response as it seeks to tighten oversight of its facilities.
In Panama, Senniaf is responsible for the protection and care of children and adolescents under state supervision, making security and control protocols especially sensitive when incidents involving escape or institutional safety occur.
Broader Context
The wiretapping case remains one of Panama’s notable public accountability scandals, involving senior security officials and raising questions about surveillance and abuse of power. Pérez’s conviction and later role as a security advisor highlight the complex public perception surrounding former officials who continue to serve in advisory positions after legal proceedings.
The visit to Tocumen also reflects the pressure on government agencies to respond quickly when security failures are exposed. For Senniaf, the decision to bring in outside guidance signals an effort to review procedures and reinforce safeguards at a time of heightened concern over the management of youth shelters.