Rubén Blades condemned the attack on a journalist in Panama and warned that "now no one is safe"

Two vehicles were completely destroyed after the explosion at the residence of journalist Rolando Rodríguez, in Brisas del Golf. REUTERS/Enea Lebrun Panamanian singer-songwriter Rubén Blades condemned the attack on journalist Rolando Rodríguez and urged the population to protest publicly and demand justice, considering that the aggression compromises the country's security. In a statement released this Saturday on his X account, the artist warned that the attack goes beyond the practice of journalism and represents a threat to all Panamanians, regardless of their profession or political position. "It is not only journalists who should be concerned about what happened," Blades stated, demanding the immediate capture of those responsible to prevent Panama from reproducing scenarios of violence and insecurity seen in other countries in the region. The multiple Grammy Award winner also questioned the consequences of the attack for Panama's international image, particularly in light of government efforts to attract foreign investors and retirees through the promotion of stability and national security. Rolando Rodríguez, associate editor of La Prensa, said he did not know who could be behind the attack on his residence. Taken from La Prensa Blades urged the authorities to use video surveillance cameras to reconstruct the route of the taxi that allegedly transported the attacker and to obtain information that would help identify the person responsible for the aggression. "The 'rules of the game' have just been changed, and the message is that now no one is safe in Panama," said the singer-songwriter, who called for supporting Rodríguez and his family and rejecting any act of terrorism. The attack occurred in the early hours of Saturday, November 14, when an individual threw an explosive device at the residence of the associate editor of La Prensa, located in Brisas del Golf, causing an explosion and a fire. The flames reached up to two meters high and left two vehicles completely destroyed, in addition to causing damage to the roof of the house, from which the journalist's wife managed to escape unharmed along with her pets. The Panamanian singer-songwriter warned that the attack on the associate editor of La Prensa represents a threat to the safety of the entire population. EFE/Adrián Ruiz-Hierro. During a press conference, Rodríguez revealed that he had previously been followed and had received warnings about possible lawsuits, although he had never received threats against his physical integrity, and he thanked the Attorney General's Office for offering protection. The journalist confirmed that he is preparing an investigation related to the Electric Transmission Company (Etesa) and a state contractor, whose publication is scheduled for Monday, although he clarified that it would be premature to link it to the attack. Jorge Molina, president of Corporación La Prensa, described the attack as an act of terrorism and assured that the newspaper will continue investigating, while the Attorney General's Office opened an investigation for the alleged crime of arson. President José Raúl Mulino condemned the attack and assured that the National Police and the Attorney General's Office are investigating the events objectively and efficiently to bring those responsible to justice. The Attorney General's Office opened an investigation for the crime of arson following the attack on the journalist's home. Video capture The National Journalism Council and three other journalistic organizations described what happened as an aggression of unprecedented magnitude, while the Inter American Press Association (IAPA) and EditoRed demanded guarantees for freedom of expression. The Chamber of Commerce, Industries and Agriculture of Panama and the Panamanian Association of Business Executives also demanded a thorough and transparent investigation, as well as measures to prevent an escalation of violence against journalism.