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
Martinelli was so corrupt that he is starting to make Noriega look good in comparison. If Panama wants to show the world that Panama is a nation worthy of respect then Martinelli needs to go behind bars.
Well, I’ll kick in my 2 cents here because I’m really happy to have been given the chance to live in Panama after being extorted by corrupt Immigration agents for several years. It wasn’t until President Martinelli replaced many of the players were we able to finally obtain our indefinite ID cards . And it was 4 years of bribes every 3 months until the PRD folks were removed. Then, because of Mr. Martinelli we were able to enhance our resident status because of a friendly nation program.President Martinelli initiated. So,for us there will be no more visits to Panama’s Immigration.
As far a corruption charges.. They haven’t been proven yet and I sense a political leaning in the opine. I’m drawing on my long time experience living through 2 former Costa Rica Presidents who were clearly abusing there office and my first hand knowledge of the Panamanian President before Mr. Martinelli. I think it’s ridiculous to even mention Panama’s 6 years under Mr. Martinelli when compared to the absolute criminal regime he replaced and his henchman Carlos Smith..
Panama was a 5th world nation before Mr.Martinelli took office and in his 6 years Panama was a shinning star in Latin America. I don’t recall Mr. Martinelli costing Panama any money as he paid his own way and now it seems it is truly a political witch hunt and the new President will surly halt Panama’s growth with his socialist policies.
Sad to kick Mr.Martinelli in the teeth after what he did for Panama.