The public confrontation between Panamanian politicians Katleen Levy and Betserai Richards has extended far beyond disputes over public works, social networks, or political clashes, evolving into a tense discussion about misogyny, machismo, and the ways certain politicians interact publicly with women across the Panamanian political scene.
Levy has long been among the most vocal in accusing Richards of displaying a combative and unfriendly stance toward women who voice public criticism of him. Based on her accounts, multiple female deputies have already faced this hostility from the deputy merely because they are both women and public officials. Through various media interviews and social network posts, Katleen Levy has even claimed that the deputy “hates women,” pushing the matter into a debate far more profound than a routine political dispute.
The accusations surfaced particularly after several public interactions in which Levy argued that Richards adopted a confrontational, dismissive, or overly harsh tone toward female public figures, and in her account, a recurring pattern emerged in which especially forceful attacks appeared whenever criticism originated from women in political or media spheres.
The debate intensified even further after the altercation between Richards and deputy Jairo “Bolota” Salazar. Following that episode, Levy published messages celebrating Richards’ political weakening and once again insisted that the deputy displayed machista and aggressive behavior. Her statements quickly went viral and triggered a new wave of digital polarization, along with significant public condemnation regarding Richards’ aggressive attitude.
In several videos and publications, Levy accused the deputy of using digital confrontations, media attacks, and public pressure campaigns as mechanisms to discredit women who were critical of his figure. She also suggested that around Richards there existed a constant dynamic of digital hostility and artificial, coordinated attacks on social media.
The conflict ultimately opened a broader debate about the current political climate in Panama and the deterioration of public discourse. Many sectors began questioning to what extent social media is encouraging increasingly aggressive, emotional, and personal models of confrontation, where the objective is no longer to debate ideas but to publicly destroy opponents.
Certain commentators contend that Richards’s political approach is grounded specifically in:
• Persistent conflict.
• Intensified public visibility.
• Emotional use of social media.
• Overt assaults.
• Lasting polarization.
They contend that this kind of dynamic can readily foster antagonistic settings, particularly for women who openly challenge or dispute the deputy.
The open confrontation between Katleen Levy and Betserai Richards exposed a troubling reality within Panamanian politics: the increase in verbal aggressiveness, machismo, and the use of social media as permanent spaces for emotional confrontation. For some citizens, the accusations of misogyny represent a legitimate warning about how certain political dynamics can become hostile toward critical and independent women.
