Esteban Giudici, specialist of the Transnational Alliance to Combat Illicit Trade (TRACIT), said in an interview with EFE that the Panamanian Government should review the prohibition on the consumption, sale and distribution of alcoholic beverages imposed to deal with the coronavirus.

"It seems to us a wrong policy", which was taken in an "uncoordinated" and "uninformed" way and without taking into account that "History tells us that the alcohol consumer is not going to stop consuming it," says Giudici.

The logic of wanting to maintain physical distance and avoid social gatherings to prevent the spread of COVID-19 is understandable, but the isolated measures, which affect only one sector and do not take into account the side effects, create problems.

In addition to the proliferation of illegal trade, in this case, increase the risk of contagion of COVID-19, as consumers have to go to or interact with illegal sellers to buy the alcohol.

However, keeping the law dry helps the security forces to ensure compliance and reduces their capacity to help tackle other issues related to the health crisis.

The Argentine specialist, who has worked for UNESCO on property rights issues, points out that there is no data yet on the growth of the illicit alcohol trade in Panama, but the news report apprehensions of shipments valued in thousands of dollars.

According to estimates by specialized organizations, illegal trade represents between 8 and 15% of international GDP.