Panamanian justice is taking action against corruption, by indicting two former presidents. After appearing before the prosecution, Ricardo Martinelli, president from 2009 to 2014, was charged, Thursday, July 2, for "Money laundering". He is suspected of having bought a press group with public money during his tenure. As part of the judicial review, Mr. Martinelli must not leave the country and will have to report monthly to the judicial authorities.
" I'm mad. It is endless political persecution. This is a case in which I have never been quoted before, which has no reason or basis: they want to get me involved to annihilate me ", stormed the former president before the press after his appearance.
The former president, extradited by the United States, was already acquitted in 2019 of the spying accusation of his opponents in Panama and abroad, after having spent two years in preventive prison. His name has been mentioned in multiple corruption scandals for which a dozen of his ministers have been arrested. His lawyers argue that he cannot be tried for any other matter than the one that motivated his extradition.
Two former allies heard by justice
For its part, the special anti-corruption prosecution confirmed to Agence France-Presse (AFP) the indictment of former President Varela (2014-2019) for money laundering in the Odebrecht case, the Brazilian construction giant, who admitted to having paid bribes to many Latin American political leaders in recent years.
Investigation " not related to " with his action during his mandate, but relates to donations for electoral campaigns " in accordance with the law ", said a statement from Mr. Varela's office.
The two former right-wing presidents heard by the courts on Thursday are former political allies: Mr. Varela was the running mate of Mr. Martinelli when he was elected in 2009. But the two men fell out in 2011 with the dismissal of Mr. Varela from the government of Ricardo Martinelli.
The convocation of the two former presidents "Can mean, if we are a little optimistic, that institutions are imposed and that nobody is above the law", Carlos Barsallo, Panama’s leader of the anti-corruption NGO Transparency International, said for the AFP. However, "By being realistic and careful, and given previous experiences, we must wait to see real and final results", he immediately added, recalling that Panama has so far imposed itself "Impunity".
Thirty files investigated, no conviction
The government of current President Laurentino Cortizo (center left) last year appointed Attorney General Eduardo Ulloa, who specializes in corruption and financial crimes, to try to improve the image of Panamanian justice, widely criticized by civic and union organizations.
In the past four years, close to 30 corruption cases have been investigated in Panama, but no convictions have been handed down against high-ranking officials, and several procedures have been dropped for flawed form or quashing of evidence.
"Actions against impunity and against corruption are gaining momentum", however, commented for AFP Carlos Lee, president of the Pro Justicia civic alliance. "Citizens demand that the justice system investigate those involved in corruption, no matter what positions they have held. "
