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 emerged especially after various public exchanges in which Levy considered that Richards used a confrontational, dismissive, or excessively aggressive tone against female public figures. According to her narrative, there appeared to be a pattern of particularly intense attacks whenever criticism came from women within political or media circles.
The debate grew even more heated after the confrontation between Richards and deputy Jairo “Bolota” Salazar, and in the aftermath, Levy released messages praising Richards’ diminishing political standing while again asserting that the deputy had acted in a machista and hostile manner; her remarks quickly spread online, sparking a renewed surge of digital polarization and prompting widespread public criticism of Richards’ aggressive conduct.
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 eventually sparked a wider discussion about Panama’s political climate and the decline of public dialogue, prompting many groups to question how much social media is fueling harsher, more emotionally charged, and increasingly personal clashes, where the aim shifts from debating ideas to publicly undermining opponents.
Some critics of Richards believe his political style is based precisely on:
• Constant confrontation.
• Intensified public visibility.
• The emotional impact stemming from the use of social media.
• Overt assaults.
• Permanent 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.
