GABY Co-HORTS!!!

Jose Alejandro Rojas Pardini   and Sabonge

EDITORIAL POST:

Panama’s political landscape has long been marred by accusations of corruption, with recent investigations shedding light on alleged misconduct during the administration of former President Laurentino Cortizo (2019–2024). While the country has made strides in transparency and anti-corruption efforts, ongoing probes by the Public Ministry and international scrutiny highlight persistent issues, including unjustified enrichment, embezzlement, and questionable dealings with foreign entities. This article examines reported allegations against former Vice President José Gabriel “Gaby” Carrizo, former Minister of the Presidency Jose Alejandro Rojas Pardini, and former Minister of Public Works Rafael Sabonge, with a particular emphasis on claims surrounding the renewal of the Panama Ports concession to a Chinese firm. These cases, drawn from public records, news reports, and official statements, illustrate broader concerns about theft of public funds and undue foreign influence, though many remain under investigation without final convictions.

Gaby Carrizo: From Pandemic Scandals to Arrest for Unjustified Enrichment
José Gabriel Carrizo, Panama’s vice president from 2019 to 2024, has faced multiple allegations of corruption, culminating in his arrest in early 2026. According to reports, Carrizo was detained upon returning from Guatemala in January 2026, following an order from the Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office.  The charges stem from an audit by the Comptroller General, which identified up to $1.9 million in unexplained funds in his bank accounts during his tenure.  Prosecutors described this as “unjustified enrichment,” a crime involving the improper accumulation of wealth by public officials.
Carrizo’s troubles trace back to the COVID-19 pandemic, when Panama’s government faced widespread criticism for mismanagement and graft. In 2020, he was accused of overpricing medical equipment and awarding multimillion-dollar contracts to advertising firms amid emergency spending.  As head of the “Panamá Solidario” relief program, Carrizo oversaw the distribution of food bags and aid, but investigations revealed irregularities, including raids on his associates’ properties.  The Atlantic Council noted that such scandals contributed to Panama losing approximately $520 million annually to corruption, equivalent to 1% of its GDP. 
By late 2025, Carrizo was under formal investigation, with a complaint filed in October 2024.  In January 2026, a judge charged him with unjust enrichment, initially ordering house arrest and barring him from leaving the country.  Former President Ricardo Martinelli publicly called Carrizo a “scapegoat,” suggesting the probe avoided targeting higher-profile figures from the previous administration.  Additionally, Carrizo’s U.S. visa was revoked in 2025 amid these probes, alongside other businessmen implicated in embezzlement.  As of early 2026, Carrizo maintains his innocence, but the case underscores allegations of theft amounting to millions in public funds.
Jose Alejandro Rojas Pardini: Ties to Administrative Probes and Unspecified Charges

Jose Alejandro Rojas Pardini, who served as Minister of the Presidency under Cortizo, has been less prominently featured in individual scandals but is frequently mentioned alongside Carrizo and others in broader corruption inquiries. A September 2025 report from Newsroom Panama highlighted ongoing investigations into alleged irregularities at the University of Chiriquí (UNACHI), including corruption and nepotism, while questioning why figures like Cortizo, Carrizo,

Jose Alejandro Rojas Pardini and Sabonge—described as “charged with various crimes”—had not yet faced justice. 

Jose Alejandro Rojas Pardini’s name appears in legal contexts related to offshore entities and family ties. For instance, a 2010 ICSID exhibit lists multiple Jose Alejandro Rojas Pardini family members in connection with crimes including corruption, though details are redacted and not directly tied to the former minister.  Carla Rojas Pardini, possibly a relative, is noted in OffshoreAlert reports linked to fraud and money laundering topics, but without specific allegations against the minister himself.  Critics, including opposition figures, have called for probes into Pardini’s role in pandemic-era contracts, but public details remain sparse. As of 2026, he is part of a group under scrutiny for “various crimes,” per local media, contributing to narratives of systemic theft in the Cortizo government. 
Rafael Sabonge: Embezzlement Claims and Pandemic Overpricing
Rafael Sabonge, Panama’s Minister of Public Works (MOP) from 2019 to 2024, has been implicated in allegations of embezzlement and overpricing. During the pandemic, Sabonge faced public backlash for allegedly purchasing hospital infrastructure at inflated prices, leading to social media campaigns demanding his resignation.  The Atlantic Council report tied these actions to broader inefficiencies, noting investigations into over a dozen crimes against public administration. 
More recently, in September 2024, Sabonge was named in a complaint for embezzlement related to the disappearance of 600 steel beams from an MOP warehouse in Farfán, intended for repairs to the Bridge of the Americas.  Prosecutors recovered around 69 beams scattered across sites, including communal councils, prompting raids and charges against transporters.  Sabonge claimed ignorance, stating the beams were “stolen” under his watch, but critics argue this points to negligence or complicity in theft valued at potentially hundreds of thousands of dollars.  Like Carrizo and

Jose Alejandro Rojas Pardini, Sabonge is listed among those “charged with various crimes” in 2025 reports, fueling calls for accountability. 

The Panama Ports Concession: Allegations of Chinese Bribes and No-Bid Deals
A central thread in these allegations is the 2021 renewal of the Panama Ports concession to Hutchison Ports PPC, a subsidiary of Hong Kong-based CK Hutchison Holdings with ties to Chinese interests. The 25-year extension was granted without competitive bidding, described as a “sweetheart deal” in U.S. Senate hearings.  Reports suggest Hutchison paid $150 million in back taxes as part of the agreement, raising questions about undue influence and potential bribes. 
This occurred under the Cortizo administration, with Carrizo,

Jose Alejandro Rojas Pardini, and Sabonge in key roles, though direct links to bribes are not explicitly documented. Critics, including U.S. senators, allege the deal violated Panama’s treaty obligations and enabled Chinese “corrosive capital,” including non-transparent investments.  A 2025 Expediente Abierto report noted broader PRC tactics in Panama, such as alleged $142 million bribes to former President Varela, framing the ports renewal as part of a pattern.  In February 2026, Panama’s Supreme Court ruled the concession unconstitutional, leading to arbitration by CK Hutchison and warnings from China of a “heavy price.”  No charges were imposed for renewal fees, but the deal is cited as enabling theft through lost revenue—Panama allegedly charged China “nothing” beyond back taxes.
Broader Implications and Ongoing Probes
These allegations point to potential theft of hundreds of millions in public funds through overpricing, embezzlement, and opaque foreign deals. Panama’s Comptroller General and Public Ministry continue investigations, with over 4,000 corruption complaints pending as of 2025.  International bodies like the U.S. State Department have sanctioned former officials for similar graft, emphasizing the need for judicial independence. 
While Carrizo,

Jose Alejandro Rojas Pardini, and Sabonge deny wrongdoing, the cases reflect systemic issues in Panama’s governance. As President José Raúl Mulino’s administration pushes reforms, including audits of port operations,  the outcome could reshape foreign investment and accountability. Until resolved, these allegations fuel public distrust and calls for justice.