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Colombia’s bloody month-long confrontation
Posted 01/06/2021
AFP – A proposed tax hike for the middle class turned into a major movement against the government of Colombian President Iván Duque. Below is the timeline of the brutal confrontation leading to at least 60 deaths over 100 “disappeared” and over 1,300 injured
April 28, with the country at the deadliest moment of the pandemic, tens of thousands took to the streets to protest against a tax reform that they considered damaging to their pockets.
The Duque government wanted to lower the minimum taxable band, which was about $1000, to $656 per month.
Two days later, troops were dispatched to the streets of Cali, the third-largest city in the country and the epicenter of the rebellion against the reform.
Duque gave in to the pressure of the streets and announced the cancellation of his plan. Instead, he said he would proceed to temporarily increase taxes on companies and higher-income groups. However, tens of thousands remained on the streets for the fourth day in a row.
Duque says that he will use "military assistance" to confront "those who, through violence, vandalism, and terrorism, seek to intimidate society."
On May 3, the Ombudsman says that five days of protests left at least 18 civilians and one police officer dead and 846 people injured.
International condemnation -
On May 4, the United Nations and the European Union condemn what they consider to be excessive force on the part of the security forces.
Roadblocks delay fuel deliveries and fears are growing over the supply of oxygen and medicines for Covid-19 patients.
The crisis increases and the president supports the security forces. In Bogotá, 16 police stations are attacked.
On May 5, protesters protest against Duque's policies on health, education, security and violence by the security forces. Police manage to stop protesters from storming Congress. Complex dialogue
The next day, the government invites the leaders of the protests to dialogue, but they call for new demonstrations.
Foreign Minister Claudia Blum resigns on May 13.
Two days later, violent protests erupted in Popayán, in the southwest, after a 17-year-old girl committed suicide while in detention.
On May 20, Conmebol gave up holding the Copa América 2021 in Colombia, the largest competition in continental football. The entity made the decision citing "reasons related to the international calendar and logistics."
On May 23, Pope Francis demands a "serious dialogue" and defends the right to peaceful protests in Colombia.
Troops to Cali
Duque announces the deployment of troops in Cali on May 28 when new clashes leave at least 13 dead.
On May 30, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Michelle Bachelet calls for an independent investigation of the violence in Cali.
On the same day, the government resumed talks with protesters when the death toll for the month reached 59, including two police officers.
https://www.newsroompanama.com/world/colombias-bloody-month-long-confrontation
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Lava Jato case suspended for third time
The case files delvered in vain
Posted 01/06/2021
The preliminary hearing of the Lava Jato case scheduled for Tuesday, June 1, was suspended for the third time, due to a disability presented by a defense lawyer. At least 42 people are charged, but the prosecutor will request the dismissal of eight of them. The hearing will take place in March next year.
The Lava Jato operation originated after an investigation that began in 2014 in Brazil, which revealed an international network of bribes paid by the Brazilian company Odebrecht to Latin American governments in exchange for public contracts."This is an investigation that began in 2016 as a result of news events in which it was linked to the Lava Jato or Triple X operation in Brazil, linked to a law office in Panama that provided financial legal structures for the concealment of the money from illicit activities," "explained the lead prosecutor"
The prosecutor affirmed that "the Public Ministry had all the evidentiary elements to support its fiscal view, to ha punishable elements that prove the fact and the connection."
Among the defendants are Jürgen Mossack and Ramón Fonseca Mora, from the defunct law firm Mossack Fonseca, which is linked to the creation of offshore companies and the alleged money laundering, product of the payment of bribes.
"Deep down there is no justification, there is nothing, I can swear to you, that if I am struck by lightning if there is something against us ...", Ramón Fonseca Mora, the founding lawyer of the Mossack Fonseca, told the media. after hearing the suspension of the preliminary hearing.
Earlier, he argued that the accusations against the law firm he represents are "false" and that the process followed in the Lava Jato case "is a litmus test for Panamanian justice." Fonseca indicated that what they want to prove in this trial is that "selling Panamanian corporations is not a crime, it is done every day, and it is done every day throughout the world because the world walks with corporations." According to Fonseca, the firm sold 25,000 corporations, and "the money they say we washed is the thousand dollars they paid us for each company.”
The preliminary hearing was scheduled to take place at the Balboa Theater which had been converted overnight into a courtroom to accommodate trials with a large number of defendants
At around 7:00 am, the files, consisting of a total of 275 volumes, were downloaded in vain.
https://www.newsroompanama.com/news/lava-jato-case-suspended-for-third-time
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Three Martinelli era Ministers face corruption trial
Posted 31/05/2021
Among the list of 50 people called to trial for alleged money laundering and corruption of public servants are three former ministers of the Ricardo Martinelli administration (2009-2014).
They are Frank De Lima, Economy and Finance , Demetrio Jimmy Papadimitriu, Presidency, and Jaime Ford, Public Works.
De Lima, who was Vice Minister of Economy between July 2009 and September 2011, and then Minister of between October 2011 and June 2014, would have received money in accounts in Andorra, through frontmen using cash and cashier's checks, funds that were supposedly delivered to De Lima who gave expedited passage to Odebrecht's collection efforts and arranged the items of the general budget of the Nation to pay the bills that the government owed the company.
In a report from the Crimes Against Public Administration Division, it is explained that De Lima received $7 million from companies linked to Odebrecht through José Luis Saiz Villanueva,. who told the Public Ministry that between 2012 and 2013, De Lima asked him to receive "payments." from André Rabello, who at that time was the superintendent of Odebrecht in Panama.
Jimmy Papadimitriu, would have accepted money from companies linked to Odebrecht, during the period in which he served as an official, actions that, according to the MP, are framed in a “bribery improper liability ”. It alleges that acting in accordance with his public function, Papadimitriu received money from Box 2 of Odebrecht in accounts in Andorra that were in the name of his parents.
The file contains documents provided by the Andorran judicial authorities, including emails that reflect the banking procedures carried out by Diamantis Papadimitriu, and María Bagatelas, parents of the former minister, to open the accounts where they will receive the money. Between 2009 and 2012, Papadimitriu would have received $ .9 million in accounts in the name of María Bagatelas, his mother.
Jaime Ford, , according to the Public Ministry, also would have used his position as legal representative of the Ministry of Public Works to carry out actions incompatible with the position.
Ford, at the time of being investigated, told the prosecution that he made a networking or contact network so that his friend Jorge Espino could have a rapprochement with Rabello.
Rabello told the prosecution that in 2012, after Ford took office as minister, he introduced Espino to talk about a hydroelectric plant that they wanted to develop, for which they requested $4 million.
Rabello made it clear that he was not interested in the business, but his interest was to maintain a relationship with Ford because Odebrecht had large contracts: the coastal strip three, historical heritage, and the Santiago-Viguí highway, for which he gave an “advance” of $1.8 million in an account in Andorra, the details of which were provided by Espino.
Collaboration deals
Much of the case is based on the 18 effective collaboration agreements, and punishment with former executives of the construction company, front men, partners of some of those investigated, and relatives of former officials who received the bribes. After the Prosecutor's Office and the accused consolidated the pact, and it was approved by a judge, convictions, fines, and the return of money were achieved.
Four were the Odebrecht people who reached agreements with the Prosecutor's Office. Rabello, director of Odebrecht in Panama, gave information on the mechanism used to obtain contacts with officials, to determine the amounts to be paid, and, in exchange, obtain privileges in the development of the works.
Fernando Migliaccio Da Silva, treasurer of the Odebrecht Structured Operations Department, detailed how that office worked, which gave clues to the Prosecutor's Office to identify the accused and the crimes. Olivio Rodrigues Junior, in charge of making the illegal payments, provided information on the accounts that were under his control and clarified the route used for bribes. Luiz Eduardo Da Rocha Soare, the operator of the Structured Operations Department, explained how, the payment system he used, worked.
Gabriel Alvarado was a frontman for the Martinelli Linares brothers, through Mengil International. José 'Luis Saiz was De Lima's front man. He promised to return $750,000 and was sentenced to 47 months in prison. Olmedo Méndez Tribaldo, also a De Lima frontman, was sentenced to 46 months in jail. Jorge Espino was Jaime Ford's frontman and received a 42-month prison sentence and a $1million fine.
s Mozes, Danna Harrick's frontman, provided information about the funds that this former official received in Andorra. He was sentenced to 42 months in jail and returned $1.7 million.
Ramón Carretero was the front man for Riccardo Francolini, and Aurora Mudaras. He returned $1 million. Timothy Scorah was a front man for Odebrecht and agreed to be the signer of the construction company's accounts. He was sentenced to 48 months in jail. Humberto De León, Credicorp Bank executive, opened accounts with Odebrecht companies. He made $1.9 million available to the Treasury. and was sentenced to 60 months in prison.
Amado Barahona Tapia, Credicorp Bank's compliance officer, signed an effective collaboration agreement excluding charges, as the information he gave prompted the bribery investigations.
Raúl De Saint Malo, a partner of the Martinelli Linares brothers, gave information on the purchase of the oil tankers. He returned two ships, $1.9 million, and was sentenced to 60 months in prison.
Mauricio Cort, lawyer for the Martinelli Linares and Federico Suárez, provided information on the payments received in Andorra. He returned $1.6 million and received a 48-month prison sentence.
Daysie Villarreal, wife of Carlos Ho, a former official of the Ministry of Public Works, returned goods and received a 34-month prison sentence. While Carlos Ho accepted having received bribes and provided information on the overpriced projects. He was sentenced to 72 months in prison.
https://www.newsroompanama.com/business/three-martinelli-era-ministers-face-corruption-trial-1
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Three Martinelli era Ministers face corruption trial
Posted 31/05/2021
Among the list of 50 people called to trial for alleged money laundering and corruption of public servants are three former ministers of the Ricardo Martinelli administration (2009-2014).
They are Frank De Lima, Economy and Finance , Demetrio Jimmy Papadimitriu, Presidency, and Jaime Ford, Public Works.
De Lima, who was Vice Minister of Economy between July 2009 and September 2011, and then Minister of between October 2011 and June 2014, would have received money in accounts in Andorra, through frontmen using cash and cashier's checks, funds that were supposedly delivered to De Lima who gave expedited passage to Odebrecht's collection efforts and arranged the items of the general budget of the Nation to pay the bills that the government owed the company.
In a report from the Crimes Against Public Administration Division, it is explained that De Lima received $7 million from companies linked to Odebrecht through José Luis Saiz Villanueva,. who told the Public Ministry that between 2012 and 2013, De Lima asked him to receive "payments." from André Rabello, who at that time was the superintendent of Odebrecht in Panama.
Jimmy Papadimitriu, would have accepted money from companies linked to Odebrecht, during the period in which he served as an official, actions that, according to the MP, are framed in a “bribery improper liability ”. It alleges that acting in accordance with his public function, Papadimitriu received money from Box 2 of Odebrecht in accounts in Andorra that were in the name of his parents.
The file contains documents provided by the Andorran judicial authorities, including emails that reflect the banking procedures carried out by Diamantis Papadimitriu, and María Bagatelas, parents of the former minister, to open the accounts where they will receive the money. Between 2009 and 2012, Papadimitriu would have received $ .9 million in accounts in the name of María Bagatelas, his mother.
Jaime Ford, , according to the Public Ministry, also would have used his position as legal representative of the Ministry of Public Works to carry out actions incompatible with the position.
Ford, at the time of being investigated, told the prosecution that he made a networking or contact network so that his friend Jorge Espino could have a rapprochement with Rabello.
Rabello told the prosecution that in 2012, after Ford took office as minister, he introduced Espino to talk about a hydroelectric plant that they wanted to develop, for which they requested $4 million.
Rabello made it clear that he was not interested in the business, but his interest was to maintain a relationship with Ford because Odebrecht had large contracts: the coastal strip three, historical heritage, and the Santiago-Viguí highway, for which he gave an “advance” of $1.8 million in an account in Andorra, the details of which were provided by Espino.
Collaboration deals
Much of the case is based on the 18 effective collaboration agreements, and punishment with former executives of the construction company, front men, partners of some of those investigated, and relatives of former officials who received the bribes. After the Prosecutor's Office and the accused consolidated the pact, and it was approved by a judge, convictions, fines, and the return of money were achieved.
Four were the Odebrecht people who reached agreements with the Prosecutor's Office. Rabello, director of Odebrecht in Panama, gave information on the mechanism used to obtain contacts with officials, to determine the amounts to be paid, and, in exchange, obtain privileges in the development of the works.
Fernando Migliaccio Da Silva, treasurer of the Odebrecht Structured Operations Department, detailed how that office worked, which gave clues to the Prosecutor's Office to identify the accused and the crimes. Olivio Rodrigues Junior, in charge of making the illegal payments, provided information on the accounts that were under his control and clarified the route used for bribes. Luiz Eduardo Da Rocha Soare, the operator of the Structured Operations Department, explained how, the payment system he used, worked.
Gabriel Alvarado was a frontman for the Martinelli Linares brothers, through Mengil International. José 'Luis Saiz was De Lima's front man. He promised to return $750,000 and was sentenced to 47 months in prison. Olmedo Méndez Tribaldo, also a De Lima frontman, was sentenced to 46 months in jail. Jorge Espino was Jaime Ford's frontman and received a 42-month prison sentence and a $1million fine.
s Mozes, Danna Harrick's frontman, provided information about the funds that this former official received in Andorra. He was sentenced to 42 months in jail and returned $1.7 million.
Ramón Carretero was the front man for Riccardo Francolini, and Aurora Mudaras. He returned $1 million. Timothy Scorah was a front man for Odebrecht and agreed to be the signer of the construction company's accounts. He was sentenced to 48 months in jail. Humberto De León, Credicorp Bank executive, opened accounts with Odebrecht companies. He made $1.9 million available to the Treasury. and was sentenced to 60 months in prison.
Amado Barahona Tapia, Credicorp Bank's compliance officer, signed an effective collaboration agreement excluding charges, as the information he gave prompted the bribery investigations.
Raúl De Saint Malo, a partner of the Martinelli Linares brothers, gave information on the purchase of the oil tankers. He returned two ships, $1.9 million, and was sentenced to 60 months in prison.
Mauricio Cort, lawyer for the Martinelli Linares and Federico Suárez, provided information on the payments received in Andorra. He returned $1.6 million and received a 48-month prison sentence.
Daysie Villarreal, wife of Carlos Ho, a former official of the Ministry of Public Works, returned goods and received a 34-month prison sentence. While Carlos Ho accepted having received bribes and provided information on the overpriced projects. He was sentenced to 72 months in prison.
https://www.newsroompanama.com/business/three-martinelli-era-ministers-face-corruption-trial-1
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Balboa Theater becomes to home to live courtroom drama
Posted 31/05/2021
Furniture removers and staff from the Judicial Branch were at the Balboa Theater on Monday, May 31 setting the stage for some live courtroom drama after an agreement was reached with the Ministry of Culture (Micultura) for the use of the theater to hold hearings with a large number of defendants and lawyers
Sources of the Judicial Branch said that the entity does not have adequate facilities to carry out processes with a large number of people and that for this an understanding was reached with Micultura.
The situation provoked a protest by the Association of Teachers of Panama, who claim that they had a prior agreement with Micultura to use the Balboa Theater until December 2021, but they were informed that they will no longer be able to use the facilities.
The Judicial Branch has not specified what processes would take place in the theater, but Lava Jato - which has a hearing scheduled for June 1, could be the curtain-raiser.
New Business, Blue Apple, and Odebrecht which have large numbers of defendants plus their lawyers and media are expected to top the bill in the months ahead.
https://www.newsroompanama.com/news/balboa-theater-becomes-to-home-to-live-courtroom-drama
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42 accused in money laundering case
Mossack and Fonseca
31/05/2021
The Third Liquidator Court will hold a hearing on Tuesday, June 1 with 42 people accused of alleged money laundering through the Lava Jato (car wash) operation.
Among the defendants are Jürgen Mossack and Ramón Fonseca Mora, from the defunct law firm Mossack Fonseca, which is linked to the creation of offshore companies through which large sums of money were allegedly deposited to acquire real estate to launder the money the product of the payment of bribes.
The investigation began in 2014 when the Brazilian authorities that carried out the Lava Jato operation discovered that María Mercedes Riaño, an employee of Mossack Fonseca, was contacted for the creation of companies whose objective was to mobilize illegal funds.
The then Brazilian judge Sergio Moro, a key player in the corruption investigations in Brazil, assured that there was “evidence that Mossack Fonseca has provided the necessary services for the opening of offshore companies for, at least, four agents involved in the scheme to launder money ”.
As a result of this, then-attorney general Kenia Porcell announced the opening of an investigation for alleged money laundering.
La Prensa reports that the court has not yet released details of where the hearing will be held and whether it will be in person or virtual.
https://www.newsroompanama.com/news/42-accused-in-money-laundering-case
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Panamanian Economy Falls 6%
During March 2021, the Monthly Index of Economic Activity registered a -6% year-on-year variation, a decrease that is attributed to the effects of the sanitary emergency caused by Covid-19.
Friday, May 28, 2021
According to the most recent report of the General Comptroller's Office of the Republic, the Monthly Index of Economic Activity (IMAE) accumulated from January-March 2021 showed a decrease of 10.06%, compared to the same period of 2020.
The official analysis highlights that "... regarding the behavior of this index, in the first quarter, it continues to maintain a contraction, due to the effects of the sanitary emergency caused by COVID-19 on the economy. However, some of the economic categories that presented a good performance were: Mining, Fishing, Private Health Services and Public Administration."
The rest of the sectors maintained a negative incidence such as: Hotels and restaurants, Other community, social and personal service activities, Manufacturing industries, Financial intermediation, Construction, Commerce, Electricity and water, Transportation, storage and communications, Real estate, business and rental activities, among others, details the report.
Mining maintained a favorable performance, due to the export of copper ore and its concentrates. Fishing activity reported positive results, due to the higher catch of some export-oriented species, such as fish and fish fillet (fresh, refrigerated and frozen), shrimp and other seafood products, the document adds.https://www.centralamericadata.com/en/article/main/Panamanian_Economy_Falls_6
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Supreme Court rejects appeal in “Gucci” dog walking case
Posted 30/05/2021
The Criminal Chamber of the Supreme Court has rejected an appeal by the defense of the former Deputy Minister of Social Development (Mides), Zulema Sucre, sentenced to 36 months in prison for the crime of embezzlement in the so-called Gucci case.
The process against Sucre, who served as deputy minister between July 2014 and March 2016, in the administration of President Juan Carlos Varela, began after her bodyguards filed a complaint with the National Authority for Transparency and Access to Information (Antai), in which they complained that the official dismissed them because they refused to carry out domestic tasks, such as walking Gucci, Sucre's dog. Also, according to the complaint, they had to accompany her daughters to parties and even to carnival with their friends.
The former director of Antai, Angélica Maytín, filed the complaint with the Public Ministry on February 22, 2017.
On July 2, 2018, Sucre was acquitted by the Sixteenth Criminal Judge, Enrique Pérez, but on November 23, 2020, the Second Superior Court of Justice reversed the decision, after an appeal from the Discharge Anticorruption Prosecutor's Officehttps://www.newsroompanama.com/news/supreme-court-rejects-appeal-in-gucci-dog-walking-case
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UN Human rights leader on Cali crackdown
Posted 30/05/2021
The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Michelle Bachelet, expressed her concern on Sunday about the clashes in the Colombian city of Cali, which left more than a dozen dead and called for dialogue and an independent investigation.
"It is essential that all persons who allegedly caused injury or death, including state officials, are subject to prompt, effective, independent, impartial and transparent investigations, and that those responsible are accountable to the law," Bachelet said in a statement.
Cali, with some 2.2 million inhabitants, is the epicenter of violent protests and roadblocks that exasperate part of the population.
Cornered by the protests, the Colombian president, Iván Duque, deployed the army in the city under the umbrella e of military assistance that allows soldiers to support the police in surveillance tasks.
Thirteen people died in different episodes, including a public prosecutor who killed two protesters blocking a road with his weapon. The mob pounced on the man - who was off duty - and lynched him.
The High Comissioner indicated that her office received information about armed individuals, including the off-duty officer, who had fired in the direction of protesters, journalists, and passers-by, as well as the death of the officer.
"I ask that all forms of violence, including vandalism, be put to an end, and that all parties continue to speak, so that respect for the life and dignity of all people is guaranteed," said the former Chilean president.
Bachelet thus called for dialogue to resolve the demands of the protesters and those who oppose the protests and celebrated "the commitment expressed by various actors, in Cali, and at the national level, to find a negotiated and peaceful solution."
The Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights in Colombia indicated that it had received information from at least 30 people detained on May 28. Bachelet thus urged to guarantee "a fair trial" and to prevent disappearances.
Since April 28, crowds have mobilized daily to protest against the government for police abuses and the handling of the economic crisis that the pandemic brought.
https://www.newsroompanama.com/world/un-human-rights-leader-on-cali-crackdown
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The confessions of a Panama politician ... dissected
Tito Rodríguez
30/05/2021
The interview that deputy Tito Rodríguez gave to the journalist Flor Mizrachi is a jewel, a diamond ... in the rough. If the Molirena politician is to be thanked for something, it is that nothing was saved: it was explicit; he described with great precision the crime that governs us. Someone commented to me: one of two, either he's a blatant cynic or he's the clumsiest politician on earth, I will not choose one of the two options, when it is clear that it is all that and more
Rodríguez admitted that Molirena is governed by a mafia to which he wants to belong, but that they do not give him a chance. Reaching the presidency of that party means rubbing shoulders with the spheres of power and thereby obtaining support of all kinds, from scholarships and appointments to public works projects worth tens of millions of dollars. That is, money from the State distributed among its electors to repeat one more period in the cave. And so on, over and over again, until it reaches the satiety of its customers and voters.
He said that the Lottery is practically owned by his party. And it must be recognized that the Molirena leadership has known how to milk it. In effect, it should be called the Charity Lottery for the Molirena, since they have taken money out of it in a thousand ways: appointments, awards, power, votes, travel, favors, clients, scholarships. In short, they have made the LNB their bench and burrow. All this under the nose of a President of the Republic who does not seem surprised, but even pleased with the looting.
Rodríguez revealed that he has his wife named in the Lottery, but that is not enough for him. He wanted to have -without success- banknote books. Is it possible to have a more miserable soul than his? Was he going to sell chances at the doors of the Assembly? We just need to find out that the Prado of the vice presidency uses it from Uber.
He admitted that they spend tens of thousands of dollars on mouthfuls -for virtual sessions-; who urgently bought curtains in the middle of the pandemic; that they have a physiotherapy clinic for them; that they buy luxury cars and that they have not contained the expenses because they cannot do it (¿?); that he signed a law that is a copy/paste of Colombian legislation; that he lied in his affidavit of patrimonial assets because he has two construction companies, but that his name does not appear in them.
We must not forget that Rodríguez is in the Legislative Assembly thanks to our votes, and that he does what he does because he does not care about the memes or the jokes we make about his scoundrels; because nobody will go to the streets to protest; because there is no one to investigate it; because the Molirena is part of the power. And because he knows that our society is sick with corruption. Tito Rodríguez is a worthy representative of that growing mass that applauds the game alive and is pleased with such maddening confessions. And it is that after having managed the Super 99, Rodríguez learned the tricks to be the "successful" politician that he is today in the Assembly. – by Rolando Rodriguez, La Prensa.
https://www.newsroompanama.com/business/the-confessions-of-a-panama-politician-dissected
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OPINION: A bipolar Ministry
The failed gold mine
Posted 30/05/2021
A bipolar crisis seems to be affecting the Ministry of Commerce and Industry (Mici). On the one hand, it summons different sectors and unions to dialogue to define the future of mining in the country; on the other, it surprisingly incorporates 25 thousand hectares to the mining concession regime, to the detriment of the Mesoamerican Biological Corridor. To conclude, he announces that he has received a proposal from a Canadian company to allegedly invest $200 million in the reactivation of the Molejón mine. We learned about this after months of secret conversations between the Mici and the chosen company, about which much is ignored and little is known, almost nothing flattering. Is this the most convenient for the country? Why do we continue to compromise our natural resources, if there is supposed to be a table to define precisely the country's strategy? The Mici has not yet been able to regularize the situation of the operator of a concession declared illegal by the Supreme Court, but it is already ready to open a new front, without calling a public act or defining the rules. It seems that the only bet for the economic reactivation of the country is mining, whatever it may be. – LA PRENSA, May 30
https://www.newsroompanama.com/business/opinion-a-bipolar-ministry
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Hitmen charged in murder of PRD activist
Posted 29/05/2021
During multiple hearings on Friday, May 28, the arrest and the imputation of charges for two hitmen involved in the killing of a PRD activist was legalized.
In addition, provisional detention was ordered while the investigations last, according to the Public Ministry (MP).
The murder of the 42-year-old political activist Wendy Rodríguez who was chased by six vehicles and died in a hail of bullets occurred at noon on August 27, 2020 on the Corridor Sur near Llano Bonito. In addition, two minors who were traveling with her were injured
“These people have been identified as members of a dangerous criminal organization. For this case, 7 people are accused of which 6 are under arrest and a woman with a periodical report measure,” the Public Ministry highlighted.
https://www.newsroompanama.com/news/hitmen-charged-in-murder-of-prd-activist
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Arraijan highway reopens Sunday
Posted 29/05/2021
The Minister of Public Works (MOP), Rafael Sabonge, announced that they plan to "gradually open traffic on the Bridge of the Americas- Arraijan highway in both directions" on Sunday, May 30.
Sabonge, together with his team, visited the repair work of the Pan-American highway in Arraiján on Friday.
In recent days, residents of Panama Oeste have complained about the traffic congestion that caused the closure of this main road. They reported that it took them up to four hours to reach their homes when on a regular day they can spend around an hour.
https://www.newsroompanama.com/business/arraijan-highway-reopens-sunday
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Hookahs seized in Bella Vista health raid
Posted 29/05/2021
The joint Police- Minsa operation at the Red Lion in Casco Viejo on Friday night when 67 teenagers were arrested moved to Bella Vista, where they seized seven hookahs from a business establishment from which they had previously removed 14 hookahs.
The use of hookahs, also known as water pipes, and shisha are regulated in Panama through Resolution 0554 of 2018, where they were classified as tobacco products and their use was restricted in certain places.
https://www.newsroompanama.com/health/hookahs-seized-in-bella-vista-health-raid
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Over 90 NGOs denounce government mining plans
Posted 28/05/2021
More than 90 NGOs at a conference on Thursday attacked the government's plan to promote open-pit metal mining and called for a moratorium on the activity.
The spokespersons indicated that mining in Panama has always "failed." They also considered it as an unstable and speculative business, which is highly polluting and has left irreversible environmental damage, destroying habitats, water, and soil in the national territory.
" The declaration of a mining moratorium is urgent, which stops the granting of any concession until there is a real national discussion on an alternative economic strategy for comprehensive, inclusive, supportive, and environmentally friendly development," said the NGOs in a release.
The call comes after the Ministry of Commerce and Industries (MICI) incorporated more than 25,000 hectares located between the provinces of Coclé and Colón‘ into the mining regime last week
Among the organizations that signed the note are the Center for Environmental Advocacy, the Alliance for Conservation and Development, Highland Biotourism, the College of Biologists, the National Association for the Conservation of Nature, among others.
For Isaías Ramos, a biologist at the Center for Environmental Incidence, the so-called "dialogue" that the MICI has called on this issue is nothing more than a strategy to endorse the mining interests that have occurred throughout the governments and that now, with the excuse of the pandemic, it is intended to continue.
Susana Serracín, part of the Alliance for Conservation and Development, stressed that betting on Panama becoming a pro-mining development country, affecting the heart of our biodiversity, the quality of our waters, and the quality of human life "It means condemning us to a path of no return," she said.
In the words of Serracín, if we allow this to be promoted, the result will be that there will be transnationals becoming more millionaires, authorities that lend themselves to support them driven by petty interests and a more impoverished nation.
https://www.newsroompanama.com/business/over-90-ngos-denounce-government-mining-plans
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Mining and the Constitution
Posted 28/05/2021
Article 114 of the Constitution states that "it is the fundamental duty of the State to guarantee that the population lives in a healthy environment free of contamination, where air, water and food satisfy the requirements of the adequate development of human life. " In any other place, this would demand the achievement of profitable and environmentally friendly public policies and projects. But what we see is a total absence of objectives, communication and agendas between the entities concerned with preserving that principle enshrined in the Constitution…
While, on the one hand, a mine is allegedly controlled and sanctioned, on the other, the practice of this open-pit activity is promoted and more hectares are reserved for its development, at the expense of protected areas; If one body declares an exploitation contract unconstitutional, the other reaches an understanding so that the concessionaire, in any case, maintains its operation, with the argument of protecting jobs and the post-pandemic economic reactivation. It is time for our leaders to honor their constitutional duties and pursue sustainable development strategies. It shouldn't be that difficult.- LA PRENSA, May 28
https://www.newsroompanama.com/opinion/mining-and-the-constitution
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Transparency authority visits six Lottery offices
Posted 28/05/2021
Amid growing demands for the ousting of the director of the National Charity Lottery (LNB), the Transparency and Access to Information Authority (Antai) conducted simultaneous visual inspections at the headquarters and five agencies of the) LNB as part of the investigations it is carrying out for alleged anomalies in that entity.
This inspection was carried out during the process of returning the chances and tickets of the draw on Wednesday, May 26.
Antai's legal team traveled to the LNB agency in Santiago de Veraguas, Chepo, San Miguelito, Tocumen, Los Pueblos, and the headquarters in Calidonia, to determine the way in which this return process is carried out. reported.
The proceedings were carried out after the two complaints filed for alleged administrative irregularities related to the payments of the Gordito del Zodiaco prizes.
As a result of the visits, a timetable is being worked out to continue the course of the investigation that includes other proceedings, Antai said in a statement.
The Public Ministry is also investigating the case of the Gordito.
https://www.newsroompanama.com/news/transparency-authority-visits-six-lottery-offices
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Martinelli loses another round and appeals
Ricardo Martinelli appeals statute of limitations denial
Posted 28/05/2021
The guarantees judge, Elkis Martínez, denied, on Friday, May 28, 2021, a request for prescription of criminal action in the case of illegal wiretaps, which had been presented by the defense of former president Ricardo Martinelli. Martinelli's defense announced an appeal, so a new hearing was set next June 4.
During the hearing, the judge pointed out that the crimes that are charged have a maximum of four years of punishment, of which six months are missing for a prescription.
The judge spoke in an "academic manner" and stated that "the prescription was not valid," said prosecutor Aurelio Vásquez, at the end of the hearing. Vásquez also affirmed that "the prosecution has always been objective" and is prepared for a trial hearing.
"This is an important judicial victory for the victim and for the lawsuit within this great concern of justice," said Carlos Herrera Delegado, one of the lawyers for the victims of the wiretaps
Herrera Delegado added that, after the appeal, "there will be no obstacle" for former President Martinelli to "face justice." On June 22 the day set for the wiretapping trial.
The lawyer Alma Cortés, from Martinelli's legal team, said that on June 4 the defense of the former president will reaffirm its thesis that there is a prescription for criminal action.
"The crime for which Ricardo Martinelli was investigated has already been prescribed," said her colleague Carlos Carrillo.
https://www.newsroompanama.com/news/martinelli-loses-another-round-and-appeals
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Panama: Plan to Reactivate Tourism
The Cabinet Council approved several impact measures for the reactivation of the tourism sector and the economy, including the Master Plan for Sustainable Tourism 2020-2025.
Thursday, May 27, 2021
The Master Plan for Sustainable Tourism (PMTS) 2020-2025 will focus on strengthening the institutional capacity of the ATP, investing in the country's tourism promotion, improving the tourism products offered by Panama and in infrastructure, maintenance and basic services.
From the press release of the Panama Tourism Authority:
May 27, 2021. The Cabinet Council, in a face-to-face session held at the Panama Convention Center, in Amador, approved several impact measures for the reactivation of the tourism industry and the economy, including the Master Plan for Sustainable Tourism 2020-2025 (PMTS), as well as B/.20 million for the construction of the Cruise Port in Amador and the delivery of the order to proceed for the study, design, construction and financing for the interconnection of the Cinta Costera 3 with the Amador Causeway, for B/.46,041,191.00.
As a first point, the Cabinet approved an additional credit for up to B/.24 million in favor of the Panama Maritime Authority (AMP) to strengthen the investment program of this entity, mainly with the purpose of allocating B/.20 million for the continuation of the construction of the Cruise Port of Amador and another B/.2 million for the reconstruction of the dock of Puerto Armuelles, in the province of Chiriqui.
In addition, the Cabinet approved the resolution that recognizes the Master Plan for Sustainable Tourism (PMTS) 2020-2025 as a tourism planning instrument of the Republic of Panama.
The administrator of the Panama Tourism Authority (ATP), Ivan Eskildsen, supported the Plan as the new rethinking of Panama's tourism offer, which was successfully presented at the recent International Tourism Fair (FITUR), in Spain.https://www.centralamericadata.com/en/article/main/Panama_Plan_to_Reactivate_Tourism
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High official of Panama government got $10 million in Odebrecht bribes
Sons of Ricardo Martinelli awaiting extradition to face Julia Nestor
Posted 27/05/2021
A person described as "a high official of the Panamanian government" between 2009 and 2014 - a period that corresponds to the presidential mandate of - received almost $10 million in alleged bribes from Odebrecht, using a complex scheme for money laundering. money through the American financial system.
The name of the high official is not mentioned, but his identity is known to the New York prosecutors
Payments were made between November 2010 and August 2011, using accounts opened in Swiss banks in the name of companies registered in the British Virgin Islands (BVI).
The entire operation was described as part of the indictment brought in the Eastern District Court of New York, against two former executives of Anglo Austrian AAB Bank AG (formerly known as Meinl Bank), who face four charges for allegedly conspiring with Odebrecht to pay bribes in half the world, in exchange for state contracts to carry out public works.
The indictment against Peter Weinzierl, the former chief executive of the Austrian private bank, and Alexander Waldstein, was filed last year but has since remained sealed. It was finally revealed on Tuesday in Brooklyn, New York when 55-year-old Weinzierl who was arrested in the UK appeared. Waldstein, 73, is a fugitive.
The accusation was presented by the assistant prosecutor Julia Nestor, who also acts in the process followed against, Ricardo Martinelli'ssons required by the United States on charges related to alleged money laundering. Both are detained in Guatemala, awaiting extradition to the United States. In the accusation filed against the children of former President Martinelli l, Nestor refers to them as "intermediaries" who would have accepted and laundered bribery payments from Odebrecht, for the benefit of "a high-ranking Panamanian government official," between 2009 and 2014, who would be a close relative to both.
The Judge Raymond Dearie is assigned to the two cases: the brothers Martinelli Linares and the ex-bankers of the Meinl Bank.
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“Deathtrap” restaurant ignored Fire Department warning
Posted 27/05/2021
The failure of authorities to enforce orders which had led to the imposition of fines totaling $140,000 and the willful ignoring of warnings from the Fire Department led to the death of Edie Del Cid in the Salvaje restaurant in Casa Lola in Casco Viejo on Sunday, May 23.
Aníbal Del Cid described the staircase of the restaurant from which his brother fell as a “deathtrap”.
Casa Lola was fined $100,000 for representing "a serious danger" to people, but those responsible have not paid the fine imposed by the then National Directorate of Historical Heritage, today Cultural Heritage.
The director of Cultural Heritage, Katti Osorio, revealed that the owners of Casa Lola have not paid off the debt, which is why an administrative process for the execution of the fine was opened
Osorio said that since March 2019 the municipal authorities have been asked to cancel the operation notices of the businesses that operate in that property, but she has not received a response.
La Prensa reported that an operation notice was issued to the Salvaje restaurant in June 2018, when the firefighters warned of the risks and irregularities in the construction.
As it does not have an occupancy permit, the Casa Lola property, where it operates a 29-room hotel and two restaurants, one of them, Salvaje, is lit by a power plant that exploded in August 2019.
The director of the Fire Department, Colonel Abdiel Solís, confirmed that the businesses that operate in Casa Lola do not have an occupancy permit. "Casa Lola and the Salvaje restaurant were fined $10,00 each in 2018, but the owners of the restaurant were never notified, now a person loses his life due to the negligence of those who handle that but the [Metropolitan] prosecutor's office will investigate".
Solís said that a month ago he asked the authorities to authorize by the Official Gazette that firefighters can close businesses with irregularities.
A report from firefighters on May 25, 2018, warned that the stairs of the building do not have handrails or anti-slip tape; that there are no fire extinguishers or signs or fire detection systems; and that the sprinklers are painted, among other breaches of the security system.
Since 2018 no inspections have been carried out on the work, confirmed the National Directorate of Security, Prevention and Investigation of Fires of the firefighters.
The director of Works and Constructions of the capital's Mayor's Office, Antonio Docabo, said that since 2014, the Salvaje restaurant has kept four processes open. In one of them, he said, he was ordered to demolish what was built and suspend the renovations.
He warned that because the owners of the restaurant "have not legalized the work, the municipal entity will take corrective measures in order to enforce urban regulations."
The connections
In November 2015, Osorio said, Casa Lola was fined $150,000 for building without a permit. The payment was made by N&C Capital Corp.In N&C Capital Corp., Alessandro Cavallera appears as vice president, who is an underwriter, secretary, and director at Casa Lola, as well as manager of the Salvaje restaurant.
Until May 2020, Cavallera was secretary at Intermed Consulting Panama, SA, a company linked to Intercontinental de Medicamentos, SA in Mexico, which was awarded the disputed contract for $168 million in the Social Security Fund (CSS).
Seven days before the contract was awarded, in March 2020, Cavallera -on behalf of N&C Capital Corp.- delivered a donation of supplies to Enrique Lau, director of the CSS.
https://www.newsroompanama.com/news/deathtrap-restaurant-ignored-fire-department-warnings
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OPINION -The Lottery Untouchables
Posted 27/05/2021
The National Charity Lottery has historically been robbed by political groups that shamelessly abuse an institution created to support those Panamanians with great needs. They fatten their pockets and those of those close to them without a trace of regret. They inflate the payroll to pay favors of all kinds and, what is worse, they have turned the nobility that in the beginning characterized the institution into one more source of corruption. Another black hole in which they feel confident that they can do whatever they want with the peace of mind that nothing will happen to them. The worst thing about this tragedy is that the entire country knows what is happening, the perpetrators do not hide it and their supporters even denounce it. It is time for someone to put a stop to the gangsterdom of Molirena without restrictions, that with the excuse of being part of the government alliance knows itself untouchable. That someone is the head of the government, President Laurentino Cortizo, who seems to use the principle of the presumption of innocence as convenient. What a disappointment! Many believed him when he said there would be no untouchables. LA PRENSA,May 27.
https://www.newsroompanama.com/opinion/opinion-the-lottery-untouchables
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OPINION: Gambling with the future of the nation
Posted 26/05/2021
The lack of transparency and accountability is an issue that the Panamanian population repeatedly complains about. And it is that, from the head of the Government to the last official of the state payroll, they seem not to understand that the citizens are not asking, begging or imploring them to say what they do with the management of public affairs. This is Their responsibility. An obligation that they acquired the day they came to the Government and whose laws they swore to respect. And there are plenty of examples. From the emergency purchases due to the pandemic, whose burlesque reports only satisfy the ego of the official who mocks those who ask to exercise their right to information, to the handling that has been given to the case of child abuse and more recently what happened. in the National Charity Lottery. Citizens deserve explanations that are coherent and supported by rigorous documentation so that they can be subjected to public scrutiny. You are good at the abuse of power and gambling with the future of this nation. To say "I am not going to give explanations" about the dismissal of the director of the Police, President Laurentino Cortizo, is an affront to the position you hold, to the country and to those who elected you. LA PRENSA, May 26.
https://www.newsroompanama.com/opinion/opinion-gambling-with-the-future-of-the-nation
Panama's Economy, Trade, Investment Incentives, GDP, and Future Economic Growth Outlook
in Miscellaneous Topics re Panama
Posted
https://www.newsroompanama.com/business/colon-free-zone-returning-to-life-first-quarter-up-26-1