On Wednesday night time, whereas the kids of former Panamanian President Ricardo Martinelli arrived within the nation deported from the United States after serving a sentence in that nation for cash laundering, the US authorities introduced the designation of the previous president on account of his “participation in vital acts of corruption by accepting bribes in trade for improperly awarded authorities contracts throughout his time period.
“The United States is committed to imposing costs on corrupt officials who undermine democracy and the rule of law. Today we announce the designation of former Panamanian President Ricardo Alberto Martinelli Berrocal for his involvement in significant corruption,” revealed US State Department Secretary Antony Blinken.
The designation, which incorporates members of his rapid household, was introduced by Antony Blinken after he ordered the removing of brothers Luis Enrique and Ricardo Alberto Martinelli Linares from US territory and their give up to Panamanian authorities after serving a sentence for cash laundering within the United States, the US Embassy in Panama stated.
The Martinelli brothers have been reportedly escorted from New York to Panama City’s Tocumen International Airport by officers of the US Office of Detention and Removal and handed over to officers of the National Immigration Service.
On May 20, 2022, a US federal court docket sentenced the Martinelli Linares brothers to 36 months in jail for worldwide bribery and cash laundering, after they pleaded responsible to conspiring to commit the crime of cash laundering to hide US$28 million in bribes from Odebrecht to learn their father, former President Ricardo Martinelli.
“Since the Martinelli brothers have been handed over to Panamanian authorities, it is up to the Panamanian justice system to determine the outcome of the cases against them in Panama,” the US Embassy stated.
The public designation of the previous Panamanian chief is made, the US authorities stated, beneath Section 7031(c) of the State Department’s Foreign Operations and Related Programs Appropriations Act of 2023, which states that officers and former officers of international governments about whom the secretary of state has credible data of direct or oblique involvement in acts of serious corruption or gross human rights violations are ineligible to enter the United States, nor are their rapid members of the family.
“Accepting bribes in exchange for contracts for government projects undermines the integrity of Panama’s democratic institutions and fuels perceptions of corruption and impunity,” the assertion from Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated.
“Such acts of public corruption diminish trust in governments and reduce the resources available for schools, hospitals, roads, and other services.”
“These designations reaffirm the United States’ commitment to combating corruption, which harms the public interest, hinders economic prosperity, and reduces the ability of governments to respond effectively to the needs of their people.”
“The United States stands with all Panamanians in support of democracy and the rule of law, and will continue to promote accountability for those who abuse public power for personal gain, regardless of their office or political affiliation,” the US State Department communication added.
Mari Carmen Aponte, US Ambassador to Panama, warned that “this will not be our last appointment in Panama.”
“Curbing corruption globally is a priority for the United States, as corruption directly threatens our national security. I know how concerned Panamanians are about corruption and fighting it is one of our priorities as an embassy because corruption undermines the well-being of the population, the economy, and democracy,” stated the diplomat.
On the opposite hand, the workplace of former President Martinelli knowledgeable that it’s “evaluating”, by its political advisors and attorneys, the general public assertion made by the US to design the corresponding methods and indicated that there is no such thing as a proof linking Ricardo Martinelli to illicit transactions with the State, neither in Panama nor within the United States.
“Nothing and nobody will divert us from the objective” of taking Ricardo Martinelli to the presidency of the Republic, for the second time, the assertion stated.
The notice was up to date at 1:14 pm on January 26, after an announcement from former President Martinelli’s workplace to incorporate his place.
With data from Bloomberg