PANAMA CITY.- As we have been informing, this January 6 it was expected to expiry date of the license that allows the operation of Grupo Editorial El Siglo - La Estrella de Panamá (GESE) as the US Department of the Treasury decides if its owner – member of the group Waked International, S.A. (WISA) – is linked or not to drug trafficking. Although so far no evidence has been shown to prove the alleged participation in illegal activities of the businessman Abdul Waked and also the US ambassador to Panama clearly stated that the newspapers are not subject of investigation on money laundering, the refusal to remove them from this black list of the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has been the death sentence for both media.

A few hours before the planned closure, OFAC decided to extend the license that allows its "operation" for another six months, until July 13. However, this extension does not mean that the newspapers can continue with their normal operation as it still weighs on Waked International the measure that prevents merchants and businesses from doing business with those who are on the Clinton List. That is, everyone who wants to advertise on their pages is exposed to sanctions by OFAC. In addition, even online subscriptions are affected as the editorial group cannot receive payments of international credit cards (Visa, Master Card or American Express). So its operation is still in question.

At this decreasing time, the president of GESE, Eduardo Quirós, clearly expressed in a statement addressed to the US secretary of state, John Kerry, that the only final solution must be provided: the removal of both media from the Clinton’s List. The sale of the newspapers is excluded since at this point this choice is apparently the final purpose of this complex plot to the people involved and Panamanian society in general. That is, these newspapers will end up in the hands of an economic or political group with hidden agendas, opposing to press freedom.

This suspicious idea became stronger in recent hours, as Juan Carlos Varela’s administration, including the president of the republic, has avoided going further in this issue. Several Panamanian society actors have stated that, with this indifference, the Executive has become an accomplice of the systematic violation of national sovereignty and rule of law.

They are not alone

From 6:00 pm, local time, this Thursday in the surroundings of GESE facilities, the Vigil for National Dignity will be held – summoned by the National Association of Journalists (CONAPE) – whose purpose is to join all workers of the group in what has been considered a “via crucis”. The organizers have requested all of us who will attend the event that we must wear black pants and white shirt; take “candles to light on the road to freedom of speech and press freedom”.

Despite the extension of the license, the vigil still stands.

Others have spread through social networks one of the most touching statements on this issue, which is made by the magazine Bayano Digital, consisting of important lecturers and local researchers. The following are some aspects of its position:

In just a few hours of a serious attack against freedom of speech due to the budding closure of the national newspapers La Estrella de Panamá and El Siglo, the Editorial Committee of the magazine Bayano Digital express its firm solidarity with the Group GESE, responsible for the edition of both newspapers… Inherently, the US ambassador to Panama, John Feely, has made very serious statements against this group of companies for alleged “money laundering” and has kept on repeating like a “broken record” the thesis that to save the media, the current owners can take advantage of the sale of the newspapers. (“The future of these companies depends on their owner,” direct speech of the proconsul)… In this case, the Panamanian government’s indifference is a shame. Juan Carlos Varela’s administration has taken for granted the fact that “it is true” the accusation against this business group, allowing the sanction without any trial, nor proven punishable act. Bayano Digital is suffering in its own flesh this derision of national press since after the army invasion to Panama in December 1989 it faced the assault of its offices by US troops. Today, once again, an arnulfista government welcomed by the US embassy attends the closure of the most emblematic media in the history of Panama: La Estrella de Panamá. What an unworthy people! It is a blatant violation to the International Right, the due process and a unilateral administrative measure of extraterritoriality, through which the Unite States violates once more Panama’s sovereignty and attacks the legitimate interests of our legal system.”

WhatsApp chains

Even cell phones have been more active than normal today. Journalist Carmen Boyd Marciacq, who worked for 28 years at GESE and remembered as one of the founders of the newspaper El Siglo, published today in La Estrella de Panamá an opinion column entitled “It is not a farewell…”

Her words had such an impact that this time has become viral including via WhatsApp. Among her reflections it is highlighted the impact of the closure of these media for their 250 employees:

“It was imminent! Even when from the bottom of my hart I kept hoping that at the last moment something could be changed, but it was not so, and the day arrived. The terrible day arrived when our democracy was given a quick knockdown when closing the newspapers La Estrella de Panamá and El Siglo. But I do not know what I was expecting! Perhaps a president that stands up and really defends the Panamanian’s right to work? That a president showing himself as a strongman would not allow a foreign government to decide the destiny of our freedom of speech. Or that an ambassador would bear his position with honor and would not involve himself in more than four shamelessness… I only hope that those who hold the power are happy to see how hundreds of families are helpless because they did not know how to demand respect for national people. Because you only thought about how to satisfy your evil and dark interests and forgot hundreds of Panamanians. Remember something… God’s justice delays but it will arrive and at some point in your lives, you will be held accountable before the man and God because you only came to power to make use of the people. God’s time is perfect and 2019 is not so far anymore… You that could make the difference, participated first with Félix B. Maduro and now with the group GESE to end a businessman that provided job and security for hundreds of Panamanians just because they could not defeat in an honest way a prosperous man and used tricks to trap him. I do not know what is stronger. If it is my contempt or the repugnance you make me feel.”

As you will see, this story is in full development and we will be aware of every detail that will take place in the next hours. During the vigil scheduled for tonight, the managers of the GESE Group will explain what will be the steps to be taken after the extension of the license is known.