I received an invitation from Gene Kuleta, editor at Inter-American Dialogue’s Latin America Advisor to contribute some of my thoughts on this matter.

Former Panamanian President Ricardo Martinelli was accused earlier this month by a Brazilian entrepreneur of involvement in a scheme in which immigration ministry officials allegedly sold visas from hotel rooms, with millions of dollars in proceeds going to Martinelli. The allegations were the latest against the former president, who is facing a corruption investigation amid accusations that his administration paid inflated prices for food bought for a welfare program. How will the case against Martinelli play out? Is current President Juan Carlos Varela’s administration doing a good job of steering clear of corruption and conflicts of interest? Are Panama’s anti-corruption laws sufficient, and if not, what more should be done?

Here is the link to Tuesday’s Newsletter