Panama: two former presidents charged with money laundering

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Thursday, July 2, the Panamanian justice, yet known for its laxity, indicted two former presidents, Ricardo Martinelli and Juan Carlos Varela, for money laundering. The two men can no longer leave the territory and will have to report once a month to the judicial authorities. 

Publicity

While the two former presidents of Panama were charged the same day, it is not the same case. Ricardo Martinelli, who presided over the country between 2009 and 2014, is accused of having used public money to buy a press group during his tenure. Facts he denies, he who believes he is a victim of political persecution led by the current Attorney General Eduardo Ulloa. Ricardo Martinelli had been extradited in 2018 by the United States, then acquitted in August 2019.

Juan Carlos Varela, in power between 2014 and 2019, who was interrogated for long hours this Wednesday, July 1, is accused of money laundering in the Odebrecht case , the Brazilian construction giant. Money that would have been used to finance his election campaign.

This announcement of the indictment of two former Conservative presidents is of course in the front pages of the local press. A press which, like many NGOs, says it is waiting to see how these files will evolve. For if over the past four years, 30 corruption cases have been investigated, none has resulted in the slightest conviction.

Attorney General Eduardo Ulloa was appointed by center-left president Laurentino Cortizo earlier this year to try to restore the image of Panamanian justice. Justice much criticized by citizen and union organizations, as well as by the international community.

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• Panama
• Laurentino Cortizo
• Justice

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