This study characterizes the process of political semiosis practiced by students at the University of Panama in the context of the 2024 general elections. During political campaign periods, the propaganda offerings of all political actors converge in the public space. This raises the following question: What slogans, phrases, gestures, political party emblems, and other propaganda symbols intervene in the construction of meaning of university students' political messages in the context of the 2024 elections? This study is designed under a mixed methodological approach and data are obtained from an online questionnaire administered to 634 students from 19 faculties, and from the analysis of propaganda messages published on Instagram and Tik Tok during the 3 weeks prior to May 5, 2024. The theoretical foundation of Charles Peirce's semiotics (1839-1914), regarding the universal categories of firstness, secondness, and thirdness, allowed the analysis of these data, since the process of semiosis involves the emotional, experience, norm, belief, habit, and culture. The study reveals that the phrases: "Good things come back," "A dignified life," "Hope has won," "Let's go with everything," "Chenchén returns," "Martinelli is Mulino and Mulino is Martinelli," were the triggers of a semiosis, which, from them, the students shaped their semiotic political brain. The term corruption was used with more than 200 mentions, including "theft," "fraud," "lies," "playing smart," and others. This study suggests that candidate Ricardo Lombana represents more hope and well-being for university students than fear and rejection, although political indifference is perceived.
