Moderator_02
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Cortizo denies Martinelli claim of illegal wiretapping in current administration
President Cortizo
Posted 27/07/2021
"In my administration, you don’t listen outside of court orders, they have not happened and they will not happen." Said President Laurentino Cortizo, when asked by media about recent statements made by former president Ricardo Martinelli, t In my administration there has not been and will not be [wiretapping]. I want it to be clear, ”said Cortizo, after Martinelli pointed directly to the vice president, José Gabriel Carrizo, of supposedly being behind actions of this type.
"On the issue of illegal wiretapping, I can assure the country that this is not an issue for our administration," he replied.
Cortizo added that, when it comes to fighting crime, intelligence is important. "You cannot fight organized crime without intelligence, that is extremely important," but he denied that his administration devotes efforts and resources "to listen to people outside of court orders."
Regarding the trial of Martinelli -which entered its fifth day on Tuesday-, Cortizo said that "it is a matter of justice and I am very respectful of the powers of the State."
In the illegal wiretapping case, two former directors of the CSN in the Martinelli government - Alejandro Garúz and Gustavo Pérez - have already been sentenced to 5 years in prison. According to investigations, in the last two years of the Martinelli administration, the communications of up to 150 people were illegally eavesdropped, using CSN personnel and equipment.
Elvis Ortiz , a former member of the National Security Council (CSN) in the 2009-2014 period, appeared on Tuesday as a witness for the prosecution in the Martinelli trial
Ortiz, who was head of the Department of Public Order Analysis of the CSN, said that he was called to be part of training in tracking technology, which was carried out in building 150 of Quarry Heights, headquarters of the entity.
He said out that Israeli technology was used, targeting political leaders and workers. However, he indicated that the use of this software was not used anymore as it was tedious.
Training, was given by Israeli specialists, to Ronny Rodríguez (then deputy director of the CSN), in addition to agents William Pittí and Ismael Pittí.
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Minera negotiations a “win-win” for Panama - Cortizo
The Minera copper, gold and silver mine in Donoso
Posted 27/07/2021
President Laurentino Cortizo promised on Tuesday, July 27 a “win-win," for Panama’s high-level team installed to renegotiate the contract with Minera Panama.
On July 14, the Government announced the appointment of the team, which will be made up of the Ministers of Commerce and Industry, Ramón Martínez, who will coordinate it; Economy and Finance, Héctor Alexander; Environment, Milciades Concepción ; and of Work and Labor Development, Doris Zapata.
Completing the team are Adolfo Ahumada, former negotiator of the Torrijos-Carter Treaties; Manuel Orestes Nieto, writer and diplomat; Daniel Esquivel , expert advisor in Geological Sciences; Ana Méndez, geologist; Marcel Salamín, former ambassador; Nils Castro, former advisor to General Omar Torrijos for International Affairs; and Roberto Ábrego, deputy president of the Trade and Economic Affairs Commission of the National Assembly.
https://www.newsroompanama.com/business/minera-negotiations-a-win-win-for-panama-cortizo
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Milagros Sánchez Pinzón and Luz Graciela Joly
The July 22nd Community Chat with Professor Milagros Sánchez Pinzón was recorded. Below are the video of that presentation, contact information, and presentation materials. Translation service provided by Luz Graciela Joly, Ph.D., and Director of Indigenous Policy at Unachi University in David.
Contact Information
- Milagros Sánchez Pinzón mspinzon@gmail.com (Spanish)
- Luz Graciela Joly jolyadames@gmail.com (Spanish and English)
Related Postings
Also see a related posting from January 2017 at https://chiriqui.life/calendar/event/586-tuesday-talks-the-history-of-boquete
How To Share This Topic With Others
https://chiriqui.life/topic/17084-bcp-community-chat-the-unique-history-of-boquete/
Presentation Materials
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“Disappeared” Pegasus spyware used in Panama in 2012
Posted 26/07/2021
Pegasus, the spy software manufactured by an Israeli company, was used in Panama four years before that same technology was used to monitor more than 50,000 cell phones of politicians, activists, and journalists from various countries around the world reports La Prensa.
An investigation by The Washington Post and 16 associated media explains that the list of spies provided by Forbidden Stories, a non-profit journalistic organization based in Paris, and Amnesty International, goes back to 2016. By then Panama already had experience in the issue, since Pegasus entered the country in 2012 and was used until May 2014, according to information from the Public Ministry.
The use of Pegasus to monitor the lives of citizens is an important element in the trial of former President Ricardo Martinelli.
While prosecutors' offices of several countries in the world are activated to investigate the scope of Pegasus spyware, in Panama the trial of Martinelli for political espionage enters its second week with only two of the six plaintiffs who were at the beginning of the process : Balbina Herrera and Mitchell Doens.
On Monday Special Prosecutor's Office against Organized Crime continued to present the elements that would prove how the National Security Council (CSN) was used to stalk the lives of at least 150 people between 2012 and 2014.
Pegasus, technology bought from the Israeli company NSO Group, in 2012, is an important piece of the case. In 2019, in the trial of Martinelli, the prosecutor Ricaurte González explained that the negotiation between the NSO Group and the CSN included the installation of Pegasus and the training of the personnel who would use it.
Pegasus was one of the three software that was used to monitor politicians, businessmen, trade unionists, journalists, and other activists. It cost $8 million, according to investigations by the Public Ministry, and local and foreign bank accounts were used to triangulate the payments to acquire the system. The key company for the process was Caribbean Holding Services, linked to Aaron Ronny Mizrachi, partner of Martinelli's sister.
According to the certificate of use, the purpose of the technology was "the collection and compilation of information on mobile devices for the exclusive use of the Government of Panama."
According to the prosecution, the last time that Pegasus reported activity was on May 16, 2014, days after Panama chose a new president: Juan Carlos Varela.
On June 7, 2019, in the trial (annulled) for the punctures case, protected witness 8430145 spoke about the spy system: in May 2014, two months before handing over power to Varela, Martinelli asked to be taken to the Presidency the hard drive of the computer where the information resulting from the interceptions was stored. According to the witness, Ronny Rodríguez, one of the CSN agents in charge of wiretapping, told him that Martinelli had asked for the Pegasus hard drive, a mission that he and agent William Pittí were assigned to do.
Ronny Rodríguez, who never appeared at the trial because he is a fugitive, also revealed that all the printed documents related to the Pegasus operation were shredded, deposited in paper bags, and, finally, burned by Pittí at his residence, lin Arraiján.
The Court, in August 2019, found Martinelli "not guilty" of spying on communications. But, in November 2020, the Court of Appeals ordered a new trial, a process that began on July 21.
Missing
The whereabouts of Pegasus is unknown Like the first wiretapping technology that was purchased from the Israeli MLM Protection, for $13.4 million, with funds from the National Assistance Program, At the time, the Public Ministry verified that Pegasus worked on the 6th floor of the PH Oceanía Business Plaza Torre 3000. where Martinelli has his offices. Between September and October 2015, the prosecution made an inspection of the Cable & Wireless company and verified that under the IP number 186.74207.178 —server with which the equipment was registered— a contract of 10 megabytes of internet was made, from 29 from January 2013 to May 14, 2014.
Harry Díaz, a former magistrate of the Supreme Court who acted as prosecutor in the case when he was in charge of the Court, told La Prensa that the withdrawal of four of the six plaintiffs "does not weaken the process in any way."
https://www.newsroompanama.com/news/disappeared-pegasus-spyware-used-in-panama-in-2012
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PEGASUS – A Deadly ‘Toy’
Posted 26/07/2021
There are countless journalists, human rights activists, politicians, judges, opposition businessmen and thousands of victims of attacks by the Pegasus program around the world, including Panama. In Israel - where NSO Technologies, the software manufacturer, is based - Pegasus is considered a weapon and, as such, its sale must be authorized by the Government of that country. The scandals surrounding this platform, due to its abusive use, should not go unnoticed, when there are justified suspicions that this software played a role in the 2018 assassination in Istanbul (Turkey) of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, from The Washington Post.
In Panama, the government of Ricardo Martinelli used it to illegally spy on hundreds of people, for which criminal cases were opened that have ended in convictions and the trial of the aforementioned former president. In Mexico, it was even used to monitor the teenage son of journalist Cristina Aristegui, just to mention one case. It is urgent to modify the sale protocol of this program, also used for malicious purposes. Pegasus is a deadly weapon, but it is marketed as a toy.- LA PRENSA, Jull. 26 -
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Transparency International condemns moves to ease penal code
Posted 26/07/2021
Elimination of the police record and making accessory penalties more flexible within the Penal Code are part of the initiatives that the National Assembly has launched in the first weeks of Crispiano Adames as president.
Raúl Pineda deputy of the Democratic Revolutionary Party (PRD), proposed eliminating accessory penalties [forbidden to seek public office] for all crimes, except those against the public administration. An initiative that has aroused the rejection of various sectors of civil society, among which is the Panamanian Chapter of Transparency International, represented by the lawyer Carlos Barsallo.
“It is not a priority issue, since it is something that is very well established within the Penal Code. It would be necessary to understand the logic of modifying something that has been proven to work (...) Accessory penalties have logic and it is the judge's obligation to impose them, it is not optional, ”said Barsallo in Noticias AM .
He asserted that in the end this bill and the other of the elimination of the police record with the aim of reintegration into society must be analyzed by the Executive Body chaired by Laurentino Cortizo who has the last word.
However, it could be the case that the Assembly approves the laws by insistence and for that, it needs the support of two-thirds of the Executive. " It may also happen that the Executive declares it unenforceable and sends it to the Supreme Court and there it takes its time, " said the lawyer.
The representative of Transparency International also recalled the amendment to the Public Procurement Law that, at first, disqualified companies involved in corruption cases, but now if they reach an effective collaboration agreement with the authorities they can do business with the government.
https://www.newsroompanama.com/news/transparency-international-condemns-moves-to-ease-penal-code
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Pipeline damaged by contractor leaves thousands without water
Posted 25/07/2021
A break in the 72-inch pipeline along the Corredor Norte, near the Tinajistas tanks, left sectors of the capital city and San Miguelito without water on Sunday with repairs expected to take up to 24 hours.
The sectors most affected are: La Pulida de Villa Lucre, Cerro Viento, Brisas del Golf, San Antonio, Costa del Este and Juan Díaz.
It was reported that the damage was caused by a private company, a contractor of the National Highway Company (ENA), when it was doing work on the North Corridor
https://www.newsroompanama.com/news/pipeline-damaged-by-contractor-leaves-thousands-without-water
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27,000 people hit by rains in Bocas. alerts for other areas
Posted 25/07/2021
At least 27,000 people have been affected, by the rains in Bocas del Toro where a red alert remains in place while yellow and green alerts have been issued for much of the country.
According to a report from the National Civil Protection System (Sinaproc), the rains caused flooding in 27 sectors of the province and affected 27,175 people and 5,435 homes.
Nine temporary shelters were set up in the Almirante and Changuinola sectors
On night it was reported that the levels of the rivers and streams were falling, but by Sunday morning it was reported that the bad weather continues in the region.
It was reported that ETESA's Hydrometeorology predicts the incursion of tropical waves 20 and 21 in the next few hours, which will generate an increase in rainfall over the Panamanian territory.
A Yellowt Alert was declared in the provinces of Chiriquí, Veraguas, Herrera, Los Santos, Colón, Coclé and the Ngäbe Buglé region. And a preventive Green Alert for the provinces of Panama, West Panama, Darien and the Guna Yala and Emberá Wounaan regions due tGhe repSinparoc.
The Ministry of Health reported that the vaccination program against Covid-19 with the sweeping strategy was suspended in Bocas del Toro and will be carried out later. The doses will be diverted to other circuits.
https://www.newsroompanama.com/news/27000-people-hit-by-rains-in-bocas-alerts-for-other-areas
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We went back to Tory's Diner for breakfast this morning. It was another rainy morning, but the ambiance was so warm and inviting. Serving sizes are quite large. Here are some pictures taken.
Below is the scrambled egg plate, with bacon that was cooked extra crispy by request.
Below are two different varieties of the baked French toast (one with sausage, and one with extra crispy bacon).
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Given that finding an entrance into Isla Verde may be difficult for some, here are some pictures taken that will help guide you to the "side access" into Isla Verde.
The red arrow below indicates the footpath to follow to the inner sidewalks of Isla Verde. Again, this is a side entrance, not the main entrance into Isla Verde.
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5,500 affected by heavy rains
Posted 24/07/2021
A yellow alert has been declared for Bocas del Toro and the green is maintained for Chiriquí, Veraguas, and the Ngäbe Buglé region while across the country, there are approximately 5,500 affected by the recent rains, the National Civil Protection System (Sinaproc) reported Saturday.
The provinces with the highest number of affected are Bocas del Toro, with an approximate number of 5,405; Veraguas (31); Chiriquí (22); Herrera (21) and Coclé (15).
In Bocas del Toro there are currently 327 people housed in Almirante and Changuinola, who are receiving medical care and food.
there have been, in the last hours, 27 rescues of people trapped by rising rivers and floods.
According to the Sinaproc report, there are 1,095 homes affected by the floods, in Bocas, Chiriquí, Veraguas, and Herrera.
In Coclé, 3 landslides were reported and 5 in the province of Bocas del Toro.
https://www.newsroompanama.com/news/5500-affected-by-heavy-rains
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A small group of us gathered for lunch at the relatively new Tory's Diner at Isla Verde. Great food and great service. Tory and Rick Tennyson arrived in Boquete from the US about two years ago after retiring from their CPA/accounting careers. They opened this eatery a couple of months ago. It is located inside the Isla Verde complex in Bajo Boquete.
If you like "comfort food" at a good value, along with great service, then you must patronize Tory's Diner.
Here are the breakfast and lunch menus. And then there are occasional special offers.
Below are some pictures of our ribs plate special, which cost $12.00 for the entire package, including the drink. The ribs were a special menu offering during our visit. The entrée included the ribs (baby back ribs, well prepared), country baked beans, sweet corn, and a twice-baked potato casserole. I had iced tea, which had just been freshly made (not the prepared bottled tea that is already sweetened), and Marcelyn had bottled water. The meat simply fell off the bones. Luscious is an understatement.
Below are some satisfied customers.
And a picture of Tory and Rick, the proprietors.
Tory's Diner is nestled among the lodging units at Isla Verde in downtown Boquete. Park alongside the street, and then wander in.
Note that Tory's Diner is open for breakfast and lunch only, and closed on Tuesdays. Hours of operation are shown on the menus.
Contact information: 6351-8745 or toryrtennyson@yahoo.com.
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Green alert follows significant rain increase
Posted 23/07/2021
A “preventive ” green alert was declared by National Civil Protection System (Sinaproc) on Friday, July 23, due to an increase in rainfall in in the provinces of Bocas del Toro, Chiriquí, Veraguas, and in the Ngäbe Buglé region.
The alert is also for the downstream of Colón and part of the Azuero peninsula.
Sinaproc said the notice follows the "significant increase and accumulated rains", during the last 24 hours.
https://www.newsroompanama.com/news/green-alert-follows-significant-rain-increase
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Panama AG meets with FBI and US Laundering prosecutors
Posted 23/07/2021
Panama’s acting attorney general, Javier Caraballo, met on Thursday, July 22, with a delegation from the FBI and prosecutors from the US Department of Justice.
The US Department of Justice was represented by the Hearing Prosecutor of the Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section, Michael Redmann, and the Hearing Prosecutor of the Fraud Section, Michel Culhane Harper.
No further details were provided of the meeting held in the office of Caraballo, who took office as attorney general of the Nation in charge on March 1, but it comes at a time when the US is seeking the extradition from Guatemala of Ricardo Martinelli’s two sons to face Money Laundering charges linked to a former “high official” during Martinelli’s term as president.
https://www.newsroompanama.com/news/panama-ag-meets-with-fbi-and-us-laundering-prosecutors
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Suppressing police records is a no no
Posted 23/07/2021
The same PRD deputy who seeks to eliminate the accessory penalties of sentences for common crimes has come up with another draft bill that seeks to suppress the police record as a requirement to apply for certain jobs. This deputy says that his draft is noble and seeks to offer second chances to convicts. An employer deserves to know the background of his staff, which includes their knowledge, skills and experience, but also their behavior, ethics, and relationship with the law. Good decisions are made based on knowledge and information. Omitting data as important as a police record is not an act of honesty on the part of someone who seeks, precisely, to rebuild his life. The initiative, coming from this deputy, only arouses suspicions. His background speaks of him (and not precisely for the better) and, just as an employer deserves to know who he hires, a voter must know who to choose for public office. And for that, in both cases, all the information is needed, not just part of it, as the deputy wants.- LA PRENSA, Jul. 23.
https://www.newsroompanama.com/opinion/suppressing-police-records-is-a-no-no
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30 aftershocks follow 7 magnitude earthquake
Posted 22/07/2021
An earthquake of magnitude 5.6 was felt on Thursday, July 22, in the province of Chiriquí, which again alerted the security entities, after the region was shaken yesterday by an earthquake of magnitude 7.
The Institute of Geosciences of Panama confirmed this morning the 5.6 tremor, which occurred 18 hours after the one registered yesterday afternoon.
In addition, the authorities reported that after yesterday's 7-degree earthquake, 30 more aftershocks were registered.
Personnel from the Ministry of Housing and Territorial Planning began the evaluation of at least four affected homes in the Barú district sector.
Armando Palacios, regional director of the National Civil Protection System (Sinaproc), confirmed that due to the earthquake in the shops of Barú, objects fell and that some tiles in the Dionicio Arrocha hospital were raised.
https://www.newsroompanama.com/news/30-aftershocks-follow-7-magnitude-earthquake
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OPINION: When Panama justice made a fool of itself
Posted 22/07/2021
After playing all his cards, including one last ace up his sleeve of negotiating with the plaintiffs, a move that was only half done, former President Ricardo Martinelli finally appeared before the new process in the case of the telephone jabs.
And as if it were a prelude, this oral trial starts at the juncture of the recently uncovered scandal of the telephone interceptions of tens of thousands of people around the world with the Pegasus technological tool, which was used in Panama during the administration of the prosecuted for the espionage of politicians, union leaders, businessmen, journalists, and individuals.
They say that life gives revenge, and in this case, it has given it twice, not only to correct the mess of the first trial for the punctures done by Martinelli and where the Panamanian justice made a fool of itself locally and internationally. Now we also have the opportunity as citizens to assess the seriousness of this crime, ensure that justice is done, and demand that something like what happened is never repeated in the country. – MI DIARIO, July 22.
https://www.newsroompanama.com/opinion/opinion-when-panama-justice-made-a-fool-of-itself
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Panama Olympic Athletes schedule
Kristine Jiménez,
Posted 22/07/2021
Panamanian athletes Kristine Jiménez, Miryam Roper and Atheyna Bylon already know the path they have to travel, in their respective disciplines, at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.
The judoka Jiménez will face the Russian Natalia Kuziutina at the beginning of the qualifying phase of the 52 kg category. The fight is scheduled for 9:00 pm (Panama time) Saturday, July 24.
Roper will begin fighting on Sunday, July 25, at 9:00 pm, in the 57 kg category against South Korean Kim Jisu. The boxer Bylon starts her participation on Tuesday, July 27, at 10:00 pm, in the round of 16 of the 75 kg category against Australian Catlyn Parker.
The Olympic Games will be inaugurated this Friday, July 23 and Panama competes in the maximum sporting event with 10 athletes.
The first to participate will be cyclist Christofer Jurado in road cycling, an event that will take place Friday from 9:00 pm
https://www.newsroompanama.com/world/panama-olympic-athletes-schedule
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Judges reject delaying tactic by Martinelli defense
Posted 22/07/2021
On the second day of the trial for illegal wiretapping, judges Iveth Francois Vega, Jennifer Saavedra, and Marysol Osorio denied a request from Ricardo Martinelli's lawyers, who requested a 10-day recess to examine the evidence to be presented by the Public Ministry.
The prosecution had responded by pointing out that the defense had ample time to review the files during the previous trial.
The former president, who had arrived in the courtroom shortly before 9:00 am with the help of a walker later withdrew, claiming back pain. Once in his office, he was able to connect and follow the audience via zoom.
The second day of the trial began with the presentation of documentary evidence. Prosecutor Ricaurte González explained to the judges the role of the National Security Council (CSN), whose personnel and equipment were used to monitor and intercept communications, without judicial authorization, of up to 150 people, in the last two years of Martinelli's government.
For their involvement in these events, two former CSN directors ( Martinelli’ son in law Alejandro Garuz and Gustavo Pérez ) were each sentenced to five years in jail.
https://www.newsroompanama.com/news/judges-reject-delaying-tactic-by-martinelli-defense
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Rot in the National Assembly
Raúl Pineda
Posted 21/07/2021
It takes a perfect nerve to present a legislative initiative that seeks to eliminate the accessory penalties that can accompany convictions for common crimes, including, for example, being disqualified from holding public office for a time. Instead of toughening the accessory penalties - which seek to protect the State from the presence of convicted crooks - what deputy Raúl Pineda (PRD) has presented seeks precisely the opposite. This perhaps marks the new bottom of the rot in which the National Assembly is sunk. The only thing missing is that his next slop allows people convicted of robbery or homicide to run - from prison - to be president of the Republic, deputy or mayor, in which case, his resume will be adorned with the mention of his sentence. Every day that passes it is shown that our politicians are gang members who, drunk with power, no longer care that it is known. Undoubtedly, this bill has the name and surname, the measurements, and the preferred color of the person who would be the largest beneficiary. And this being the case, why don't you quit your party and go for the one you really work for. There are 99 reasons - in addition to this caricature of the law - that reveal where the loyalties of this subject are located. – LA PRENSA, Jul. 21
https://www.newsroompanama.com/opinion/rot-in-the-national-assembly
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Martinelli trial continues after health card fails
Posted 21/07/2021
The wiretapping trial of former Panama president Ricardo Martinelli began at 11:39 am on Wednesday, July 21, after an open recess had been declared in order to resolve a request made by Martinelli's legal team, to suspend the trial for health reasons.
The court - made up of judges Iveth Francois Vega (president), Jennifer Saavedra (rapporteur), and Marysol Osorio ruled that Martinelli could follow the trial remotely from his residence, in accordance with the provisions of the Penal Code. After hearing the decision, Martinelli said that he preferred to go personally to the room. "I will come as many times as I can," he said.
The defense said Martinelli is taking pain medications, which can sometimes make him drowsy, so the doctor suggested complete rest. Earlier, when he entered the courtroom, Martinelli stated that he should be working, rather than going to trial, which he described as "political bull****."
"For more appeals that were filed so that the hearing did not take place, the trial formally began this morning," said the political leader Balbina Herrera, one of the plaintiffs in the process. "The accused may be in the comfort of his home.
Once the trial began formally, the prosecutor Ricaurte González, indicated to the judges that investigation shows that, between 2012 and 2014, by order of Martinelli, the communications of at least 150 people were spied upon, without judicial authorization, from the offices of the National Security Council (CSN) using personnel and equipment of that entity.
Among the targets of the CSN were politicians, businessmen, journalists, magistrates, personnel from the United States embassy in Panama, union leaders, and opponents of Martinelli.
For these same events, two former CSN directors ( Alejandro Garúz and Gustavo Pérez ) were sentenced to five years in prison. Garúz, in addition to being a former official, is Martinelli's father-in-law.
After hearing the prosecution’s opening statement, the court declared a recess until 9:00 am on Thursday, July 22.
"We are wasting time, and the money of the Panamanian people," said Martinelli, as he left.
Security has been strengthened at the offices of the First Judicial Circuit of Panama, in Plaza Ágora, where the trial is taking place.
Prosecutor González reported that Martinelli faces the maximum penalty of eight years in prison, four for each of the crimes committed to him: interception of communications without judicial authorization and monitoring without judicial authorization. The two crimes of embezzlement were excluded from the indictment when the appeal court ordered a new trial last November.
https://www.newsroompanama.com/news/martinelli-trial-continues-after-health-card-fails
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New rules for travelers to reactivate tourism
Posted 21/07/2021
New provisions for travelers entering Panama from July 26 are part of the roadmap to reactivate the tourism sector says Health Minister Luis Sucre.
The requirements are
1 covid-19 vaccination card that indicates the record of the last dose at least 14 days before arrival in Panama. The covid-19 vaccination card must be uploaded in the affidavit before traveling. In addition, the passenger, upon arrival, must physically present the vaccination card or the Digital Certificate issued by the competent authority.
2 The passenger must upload a negative covid-19 test (PCR or antigen) in the affidavit of health with a maximum of 72 hours before entering Panama. In addition, the passenger, upon arrival, must present his negative test.
For passengers who meet requirements 1 and 2 (that is, vaccination and negative test) from non-High Risk countries: It is not necessary to carry out another covid-19 test at the points of entry, or to quarantine.
For passengers who meet requirements 1 and 2 (that is, vaccination and negative test) from countries that the Minsa identifies as “High Risk”, a second covid-19 test must be performed at the country's entry points, at the passenger's cost, and if negative they will not have to comply with quarantine.
If they do not have the covid-19 test of a maximum of 72 hours, it will be mandatory to perform it at their cost. If the test is positive, the passengers must comply, at their own expense, with the quarantine established by the Ministry of Health.
The entry requirements for passengers without full covid-19 vaccination are:
The passenger must upload a negative covid-19 test (PCR or antigen) in the affidavit of health with a maximum of 72 hours before entering Panama.
Passengers who come from countries that are not high risk must present their negative test in less than 72 hours, PCR or Antigen, but if they do not present it, they will have to carry out a test at the entry point upon arrival at cost to the traveler and if it is negative, they will not have to comply with the quarantine.
Passengers who come from countries that the Minsa identifies as "High Risk", must undergo a second covid-19 test at the points of entry to the country and if negative they will have to comply with three days of quarantine, at the cost of the passenger from Monday, August 9
https://www.newsroompanama.com/travel/new-rules-for-travelers-to-reactivate-tourism
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Panama gasoline prices up 25.6% in first semester
Posted 20/07/2021
The price of gasoline in Panama, during the first semester of 2021, registered an increase of 25.6% behind only Argentina with the highest percentage of increase (49.2%), in the region according to an analysis of the firm picodi.com marketing agency.
Currently and until July 30, a liter of 95 octane gasoline at the Panama and Colón stations sells for 93 cents and a gallon for $3.55.
In July 2020, when consumption had fallen due to the pandemic, the 95 octane liter cost 64 cents and a gallon$2.43, that is, in one year the increase has been $1.11 per gallon. Panama does not have a refinery and buys finished fuels on the international market, according to fluctuations in the price of oil; and it must index the costs of insurance, transportation, and tax for the State.
Gasoline prices also rose in Nicaragua (23.1%), the Dominican Republic (20.6%), Puerto Rico (20.2%), Guatemala (16%), Costa Rica (9.1%) and Paraguay (7.5
https://www.newsroompanama.com/business/panama-gasoline-prices-up-256-in-first-semester
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Judge replaces $5 million bond with jail cell
Carlos Cerdas bail revoked
Posted 20/07/2021
A Costa Rican judge ordered 4 months of preventive detention by annulling the bonds that a court had granted to two powerful businessmen who appear as suspects in a case of corruption in public works tenders.
They are Carlos Cerdas, owner of the MECO company, which has obtained many government contracts in Panama and Mélida Solís, of the H. Solís company, to whom last June a court had set bonds of $5 million and $3 million, respectively, with which both had avoided pretrial detention.
'' The Deputy Prosecutor for Probity, Transparency and Anticorruption confirms that it was notified of the resolution in which the Criminal Court of Finance and Public Function accepted the appeal of the Public Ministry, regarding the precautionary measures of the accused Solís and Cerdas, the preventive detention is in force for both ', said an official statement.
Cerdas is already in custody, while Solís will surrender shortly, his legal team informed the media.
On June 14, the judicial authorities detained 30 people among construction businessmen and officials of the National Highway Council (Conavi), an entity attached to the Ministry of Public Works and Transport (MOPT) and which is in charge of construction projects. public in the country.
The Prosecutor's Office describes the case as "a criminal group dedicated to the commission of crimes of corruption to obtain undue benefits in the processes of contracting and contractual execution of public works."
The authorities investigate crimes such as bribery, influence peddling and fraud to the detriment of the State, and the case ranges from the alleged payment of bribes to officials to the apparent diversion of public funds from one infrastructure work to another to benefit contractors. The case involves about $120 million.
The companies investigated are MECO, H. Solís, ITP, CASISA, Constructora Herrera, Constructora Montedes, and Alsofrutales.
https://www.newsroompanama.com/business/judge-replaces-5-million-bond-with-jail-cell
Digital Health Affidavit for Travelers
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