Panama ex-President Martinelli chosen as RM candidate for elections

By Elida Moreno
June 4, 20238:30 PM CDT Updated a day ago

PANAMA CITY, June 4 (Reuters) - Panama's former President Ricardo Martinelli was on Sunday chosen as the presidential candidate for his party Realizando Metas (RM) in next year's elections.

Martinelli, who was in office from 2009 to 2014, is accused of laundering public funds through the purchase of a news outlet during his term.

Martinelli - along with his sons - is also charged in Panama for his alleged involvement in laundering millions of dollars in bribes from Brazilian construction company Odebrecht.

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The Untied States has barred Martinelli from entering the North American country, with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken accusing him of accepting bribes.

https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/panama-ex-president-martinelli-chosen-rm-candidate-elections-2023-06-05/


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Article from 2015:

Did Panama's Former President Run a Criminal Regime?
ELITES AND CRIME
/
9 JUN 2015 BY MICHAEL LOHMULLER

The list of accusations against Panama's former President Ricardo Martinelli is growing rapidly, with illegal wiretaps the latest allegation as his political enemies build a case that Martinelli presided over a criminal regime.

On June 8, Panama’s Supreme Court announced it is investigating ex-President Martinelli for “violating secrets and the right to privacy,” as well as for embezzlement, abuse of authority, security breaches, and illicit association.

Martinelli -- Panama's president from 2009 to 2014 -- is suspected of ordering illegal wiretaps against politicians and businesses, including high-ranking members of the opposition Revolutionary Democratic Party and Jose Luis Varela, the brother of current President Juan Carlos Varela, reported the BBC. Panama's Attorney General estimates over 150 people were spied on illegally.

Investigators claim members of Panama’s National Security Council conducted the wiretaps, and two former directors of the agency were arrested in January in connection with the case.

Martinelli -- who left Panama in January and is believed to be living in Miami, Florida -- denies the allegations and claims he is the victim of “political persecution” carried out by a vengeful President Varela.

More:
https://insightcrime.org/news/brief/did-panama-former-president-run-criminal-regime/