Podcast Summary: Más de uno – "El Panamá": El libro que narra la historia del delincuente que marcó una época del crimen en Madrid

Host: Carlos Alsina (Onda Cero)
Guest: Iñaki Domínguez (antropólogo y autor de El Panamá, vida de un fuera de la ley)
Date: January 12, 2026

Overview:

This episode revolves around the notorious Spanish criminal José Manuel Cifuentes, alias “El Panamá,” regarded as a legendary figure in Madrid’s underworld from the 1980s onwards. Carlos Alsina interviews anthropologist and author Iñaki Domínguez about his book, which narrates both El Panamá’s life and a transitional era in Spain’s criminal landscape. The conversation delves into the psychology, sociology, and allure of “El Panamá,” his rise from San Blas, Madrid, and the broader cultural meaning of old-school crime.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. El Atraco de Yuncos y la Leyenda de El Panamá

• Description of the Infamous Robbery
  • The episode opens with a vivid retelling of the 2019 supermarket armed robbery in Yuncos, Toledo, where three armed men, including El Panamá, engaged in a violent shootout with the Guardia Civil.
  • Significant moment: Agent Román David Gómez was gravely wounded (later rendered tetraplegic). (02:13)
• Aftermath and Manhunt
  • Following a 40-minute, 50-km chase, the criminals escaped into Madrid, but were later arrested. One was revealed to be El Panamá, already notorious from previous exploits and reputed leadership in the Miami gang.
  • Consequences: El Panamá was sentenced to 32 years for armed robbery and double attempted homicide, currently serving time in Extremera prison. (03:53)
• Quote:
  • "Un atracador, dicen las crónicas, de los de antes. Un hombre capaz de atemorizar a los delincuentes más curtidos..." – Alsina (03:17)

2. Conociendo a El Panamá: Encuentros entre Iñaki Domínguez y el Delincuente

• How the Book Came About
  • Domínguez explains that his previous work on Madrid’s “macarras” caught El Panamá’s attention in prison, prompting an introduction through his son. (04:49–05:27)
• First Impressions
  • Domínguez visited El Panamá in jail, finding the legend both intimidating and surprisingly charismatic—typifying the “two-faced” criminal: intimidating yet personable and sociable. (05:21)
  • "Era sumamente sociable y sumamente hiperactivo... Me hizo sentir muy cómodo y era muy simpático, lo cual era ese lado humano. El otro lado que aparece también en películas como Casino…" – Iñaki Domínguez (05:37)
• Fear and Fascination
  • The author discusses his fear and the thrill that drew him to chronicling this underworld:
    • "Estaba aterrorizado, naturalmente, pero sabía que tenía que ir en esa dirección… no pude evitarlo y me dejé llevar por esa fascinación que era superior a mis miedos." – Iñaki Domínguez (07:33)
• Panamá’s Motivation To Tell His Story
  • Both Domínguez and Panamá seemed mutually interested in documenting the story, with Panamá’s son being particularly keen. (08:15)

3. La Familia y los Orígenes: San Blas, el Entorno, y la Singularidad

• Not a Family Business
  • Contrary to stereotypes, the rest of El Panamá’s family is described as “absolutely normal,” highlighting José as the black sheep.
  • "Toda la familia, el único raro es él." – Iñaki Domínguez (10:40)
• Sociology of Old Madrid Barrios
  • A snapshot of 1980s San Blas shows tight-knit communities and evolving criminal subculture, providing both opportunity and a kind of solidarity. (17:31–17:52)
  • "En el barrio... había una gran solidaridad vecinal... ahora eso se ha roto. En los delincuentes también se ha roto. Había unas normas..." – Iñaki Domínguez (17:52)

4. Psicología del Riesgo y el Poder

• Addiction to Risk, Not Drugs
  • Despite trafficking, El Panamá is described as “antidrugs,” but addicted to adrenaline.
    • "Si alguien sintetizase una droga como la que genera la adrenalina, se haría de oro... estar entre la muerte y perder la libertad, es lo más excitante." – Iñaki Domínguez (12:01)
• Quote/Comparison:
  • Similar to “the tough guys” from films, El Panamá thrived under pressure and risk, feeling “paradisíaco” in crisis situations (12:01–13:11).

5. El Ascenso de El Panamá: De Ladrón de Barrio a Leyenda

• Early Criminal Trajectory
  • Starts at age 13 with petty crime, quickly moving to drug sales, petty theft, and defending local dealers, which gained him respect.
  • The origin of his nickname: from his school, República de Panamá. (14:07–14:10)
• Involvement with Los Miami
  • Fascinating details about the formation of the Miami criminal gang, relationships with other infamous figures, and the “criadero de perros” where key underworld alliances formed. (15:11–16:48)
• Breaking Social Norms
  • The shift from the “old codes” of silence and loyalty now replaced by self-serving behaviors, as seen in wider Spanish society—“ya no existen atracadores, etcétera, etcétera.” (18:29–19:48)

6. Reflexiones: Orgullo, Moralidad y Consecuencias

• How El Panamá Sees Himself
  • Domínguez describes the subjective morality of criminal subcultures:
    • "Dentro del mundo de los ladrones y demás, a ellos robarles parece estúpido dentro de ellos tiene una visión muy diferente a la que tenemos el resto de la sociedad." – Iñaki Domínguez (20:13)
  • Despite causing pain, El Panamá occasionally expresses regret, especially as he ages and faces long imprisonment, but is a complex and at times contradictory figure. (20:13–20:57)
• Never Caught Red-handed
  • “Ha hecho infinidad de atracos... y nunca lo han pillado, o sea que eso es fascinante.” – Iñaki Domínguez (21:13)
• Burning a Picasso
  • A darkly memorable anecdote: apparently, El Panamá once had to destroy a Picasso rather than sell it, which he somewhat regrets. (21:43–21:56)

7. La Mitología del Respeto

• Why Even Other Criminals Fear Him
  • The reputation and respect El Panamá commands is driven by genuine fear—even among hardened criminals.
  • “Nadie se mete con el Panamá, digamos, porque es muy respetado... el respeto es consecuencia del miedo.” – Iñaki Domínguez (23:09–23:14)

Notable Quotes & Moments (with Timestamps)

• On the Adrenaline of Crime
  • "Es que esa sensación, estar entre la muerte y perder la libertad, es lo más excitante que hay." – Iñaki Domínguez (12:01)
• On Old Codes vs. Modern Crime
  • "En los delincuentes efectivamente también se ha roto. Había unas normas en esa subcultura de que no te chivas..." – Iñaki Domínguez (18:29)
• On Regret and the Meaning of Life Choices
  • "Yo creo que sí... cuando yo estoy con él y con amigos, él siempre reniega de ese estilo de vida y de esas cosas, pero es una persona compleja." – Iñaki Domínguez (20:13–20:57)
• On Burning a Picasso
  • "Eso sí le pesaba más. Parece que le pesaba un poco más y no me extraña. Un Picasso de la época azul." – Iñaki Domínguez (21:43)
• On the Fear-Induced Respect
  • “Por supuesto... Es como el primo de Zumo Sol. Es como el Clint E Boot en las películas.” – Iñaki Domínguez (23:09)

Segment Timestamps for Reference

• Recap of Yuncos robbery/Introduction of El Panamá: 00:44–04:33
• First meeting between Domínguez and El Panamá: 04:49–07:41
• Family and social background discussion: 09:45–11:35
• Psychology of risk and adrenaline: 11:35–13:53
• Early criminal life in San Blas/Los Miami: 14:07–17:17
• Sociology, loyalty and criminal codes then vs. now: 17:31–19:48
• Moral reflections and book-writing process: 19:48–20:57
• On “never being caught” and Picasso story: 21:04–21:56
• Profile and reputation in the underworld: 22:44–23:14

Tone & Style

The conversation has an analytical but direct style, mixing historical detail, social critique, and occasional dark humor. Iñaki Domínguez, in particular, brings a candid and at times fascinated perspective to the criminal world.

Conclusion

This episode offers a compelling deep dive into the legend of El Panamá—his path from infamous street criminal to mythic figure, the shifting morals of the Spanish underworld, and what it means to be “respected” (and feared). Domínguez’s insight, book anecdotes, and personal stories reveal not just a singular criminal, but a lost era of Madrid’s criminal folklore.