PANAMA: Toward a Trial

Panama’s Guardia Nacional energetically gathered evidence last week for the forthcoming state trial of impeached President José Ramón Guizado, accused of having conspired in the Jan. 2 assassination of President José Antonio (“Chichi”) Remón that raised Guizado from the vice-presidency to his brief 13 days of power. In sparkling Panama Bay. divers searched for the jettisoned murder gun under the direction of the confessed killer himself, hot-eyed Lawyer Rubén Miró, 43.

Amid all the hustle, some Panamanians wondered about Miró’s confession that he machine-gunned Remón with Guizado’s knowledge so that Guizado could appoint Miró to a high and profitable job. Was that the whole story? Did it somehow seem too simple? Two New York City detectives, who were lent to Panama and helped get Miró’s confession, pointedly stayed on for further investigation.

Guizado’s lawyers attempted to get his trial transferred to the Supreme Court, rather than the pro-Remón National Assembly, which has the constitutional authority to try accused Presidents. They argued that the alleged crime took place when Guizado was still Vice President; the Supreme Court, ruling that the accusation against Guizado was made while he was President, rejected jurisdiction. The Assembly named a five-man committee to gather evidence and prepare an arraignment. (Mirówill be tried in the courts.)

The orderly work of the cops and courts unquestionably relieved the tensions that had built up during the most tragic fortnight in Panama’s history. Cecilia Remón, Chichi’s widow, took to the radio to ask the people to give the government of new President Ricardo (Dickie) Arias wholehearted cooperation. He in turn promised to carry on Remón’s policies. The first public laugh of the troubled new year was provided by haughty ex-President Arnulfo Arias (no kin to Dickie), who as Remón’s ancient enemy was jailed after the killing but freed upon Miró’s confession. Arnulfo had been confined, he complained, in a cell reserved for “official prostitutes.” Said he, “I didn’t have the energy to clear up just what was meant by ‘official.’ “