The article centers on a controversy involving Panamanian deputy Betserai Richards and the Vamos political coalition. The main event is a lunch hosted by President José Raúl Mulino for deputies who supported the controversial law 462 reforming the Social Security system (CSS).
Richards publicly criticized the coalition leadership, specifically denouncing the use of social media to direct the bancada and threats of expulsion against independent deputies who attended the lunch.
He explicitly stated his disapproval of these actions via a tweet, emphasizing the importance of independent thought and decision-making within the coalition.
Coalition leader Juan Diego Vásquez countered that the official stance was against the lunch, demanding accountability from those who attended.
This lunch and subsequent events exposed deep internal divisions within the Vamos coalition concerning law 462 and broader ideological differences on social security reform. The 10-10 split vote on the law highlights this division.
The article also mentions prior conflicts, including a heated argument between Richards and other Vamos members, resulting in suspensions for Richards and other deputies.
The article notes Richards' unique position within Vamos, running as an independent candidate in the 2024 elections before joining the coalition in the National Assembly.
Finally, the article mentions the participation of other deputies from various parties, including Realizando Metas (RM), the Panameñista party, Cambio Democrático (CD), and Movimiento Otro Camino (MOCA), at the lunch with President Mulino.