Martinelli escapes Colombia and shines criticism for impunity in Panama

Panamian president Ricardo Martinelli This Saturday traveled as a resort to Colombia, after that 15 months refugee At the Nicaragua Embassy to avoid spending a penalty of about 11 years in exchange for money laundering, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Panama said.

The Foreign Ministry said that the Panama government “granted the necessary safe conductors” to “safe departure” to Martinelli to Colombia, after the government of President Gustavo Petro gave asylum.

73 -Year -Sold -SELD -ININ PRSEDENT remained at the Nicaragua Embassy, ​​where he resorted to a shelter on February 7, 2024, after The prison sentence is about 11 years old To use public funds to obtain a media group during its mandate (2009-2014).

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Martinelli, the owner of a supermarket series, left the Nicaragua embassy in a diplomatic vehicle for an airport, where he traveled to Colombia, according to the note that does not give details.

The Colombian Foreign Ministry confirmed in a statement that Petro gave Martinelli asylum, and that the decision depends on “” Human tradition From Colombia from protecting persecuted persons for political reasons, “despite the fact that the former president in Al -Banamed was convicted of corruption.

A frustrating trip to Mangoa

In March, the correct President Jose Raul Mulino, who won the May 5, 2024 elections that promoted the popularity of Martinelli, gave him a safe connection to travel to Mangoa.

However, when Martinelli was preparing to travel to the manager Guarantees The former ruler did not have an international system to pick up Interpol.

Despite her judicial problem, Martinelli is very popular in the country and was the favorite candidate to win the 2024 elections, but he could not compete for condemnation. His position was a candidate occupied by his friend in Molino.

Martinelli was sentenced to 2023, a penalty approved by the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court at the beginning of 2024.

Then the Public Prosecutor Office issued a The arrest warrant Against the former president, who resorted to the Nicaragua Embassy in Panama to avoid detention.

Although Nicaragua gave Martinelli, the former government of Lorentino Cortezo denied the safe conductor to travel to Mando.

Victory of impunity

Panamphic justice condemned Martinelli to buy in 2010, with Public money About infrastructure contract commissions, most Editora Panama América actions.

It was criticized by Colombia by the local subsidiary of the International Transparency Organization.

This is the victory of impunity, as the asylum establishment has not been established, so that ordinary criminals, such as Martinelli, can evade justice. “

He added: “It is unfortunate that the national government has granted the safe Mosul to which this ridicule allowed justice.”

While he was at the home of Nicaragua, Martinelli released daily Political opinions Through social networks, which led to several complaints from the Panamanian government.

Martinelli won the 2009 elections with a strong speech against corruption, but after the authority left more than dozens of his ministers and senior officials who were arrested due to many scandals.

After his mandate ended in 2014, he swear to Parliament in Central America, although he said it was a “Cueva De Thieges” Where former presidents in the area were looking for immunity.

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In 2015, he settled in a luxury villa in Miami, until 2018, he was handed over to Panama to attend a political spy and sent to prison.

However, it was It was acquitted in 2019In an experiment, it was repeated, with the same result, in 2021.

Martinelli is allegedly accused of receiving bribes from the Brazilian construction company Odebrecht, a case in which two of their children in the United States served, where the former president and his family are prevented from entering.

With AFP information.