Former El Slavador president heads to trial in $310 Million Corruption scandal
A judge in El Salvador decided Wednesday to send former President Elías Antonio Saca (2004-2009) and six collaborators to trial, to answer for the deviation of 301 million dollars during his administration, the Prosecutor’s Office said. “The Fourth Court of Instruction of San Salvador sends to trial former President Elías …
Maduro looks to mirror DPRK, have direct talks with US.
The president of Venezuela , Nicolás Maduro , called on Wednesday, May 15, to the United States to dialogue as he does with the North Korean leader, Kim Jong-Un , warning that he will not surrender to the threats of Donald Trump . Grupo de Lima makes ‘last call’ to …
Varela tour continues to Israel, Netanyahu.
On his second day of touring Israel, the President of the Republic, Juan Carlos Varela , met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Presidents of Panama and Israel meet in Jerusalem Varela meets with British Prime Minister Theresa May The relationship between Panama and the United Kingdom is ‘at its …
Minister of Security under fire for corruption claims by retired police.
An Amparo of Constitutional Guarantees against the Minister of Security, Alexis Betancourt, presented the Association of Retirees of the National Police in the Supreme Court of Justice. “The protection of guarantees states that the Ministry of Security violates due process and effective judicial protection by refusing to give due process …
Drama swirling around possible return of Martinelli.
by James “JB” Bryson I find the story surrounding the possible return of President Martinelli quite fascinating. It plays out like a Shakespearean play right before your eyes. All of the vitriol and self righteous rhetoric coming from Varela, whom all know to be a shill of Martinelli for many, …
DPRK backpeddles ahead of monumental US talks
North Korea threatened on Wednesday to cancel the planned summit between leader Kim Jong Un and US President Donald Trump if Washington goes ahead with its demand that Piongyang unilaterally abandon its nuclear arsenal. If the US government “corners us and asks us unilaterally to abandon our nuclear weapons we …
UK claims that Panama relations have never been better.
The Panamanian Chancellery, the office of British Prime Minister Theresa May , the Embassy of the United Kingdom in Panama and several State Ministers, have highlighted the cordiality of the meeting held last Monday, in London, between May and President Juan Carlos Varela , thus denying any disagreement between both …
Lawsuit against “Code” reaches Supreme Court
A claim of unconstitutionality against some sentences of article 193 of the single text of the Electoral Code , referring to pre-election public financing for the 2019 general elections, was presented to the Supreme Court of Justice (CSJ) . The lawyer Roberto Ruiz Diaz filed the appeal after considering that …
Comptroller promises “audit” of National Assembly
The General Comptroller of the Republic notified this Tuesday, May 15, the president of the National Assembly (AN) , Yanibel Ábrego , who will proceed to carry out a “forensic audit” to form 080 , which contains the contracts of the personnel that works for the deputies, and that since …
Attorney General requests to be recused from poisoning case.
The Attorney General of the Administration, Rigoberto González, asked the Third Chamber of the Supreme Court of Justice to declare him precluded from hearing the civil lawsuits against the State, filed by hundreds of people affected by the massive poisoning with medication contaminated with diethylene glycol. At least 323 lawsuits …
PETROBAS, and dirty cops scandal dismantled in Brazil
The Brazilian police today dismantled a network of international traffic of narcotics in which participated at least one investigated in the operation Lava Jato, which investigates the vast corruption scandal uncovered in the state oil company Petrobras, informed official sources today. About 90 agents of the Federal Police served eight …
Crisis in Nicaragua leads to more fatalities
The city of Masaya, a little over 25 kilometers southeast of Managua, awoke in chaos and destruction after uninterrupted clashes between anti-riot agents and Sandinista mobs against the protesters. On Sunday, Nicaragua celebrated 26 days of a crisis that has left at least 54 dead, caused by massive demonstrations in …
Group makes last effort call to suspend elections in Venezuela
The Lima Group yesterday made a “last call” to the government of Nicolás Maduro to suspend the presidential elections on May 20. Meeting in Mexico City, the representatives of the Group condemned Maduro’s ‘regime’, demanding Caracas ‘free, fair and transparent’ elections, reported La Voz de América. Monday’s meeting in the …
Class system struggles awash all of Venezuela under Maduro rule
Corina lives in a luxurious house but can not frequent restaurants; Federico , journalist, does not have for the cinema; and Alida , a seller, longs to eat chicken but it is not enough. Even with their class differences, the crisis changed their lives. The arepa – corn tortilla typical …
Administration accounts remain questioned.
As mentioned and posted yesterday, and followed up today, the scrutiny over the travel polices of the Varela administration continues. James “JB” Bryson- La Prensa aticle— The Attorney General of the Administration, Rigoberto González , when questioned about the trips of the officials, like those of the president, Juan Carlos …
Varela jetsetting again, meets with UK Prime Minister May
At 10 Downing Street, in the city of London, the Panamanian President, Juan Carlos Varela , met Monday May 14 with the British Prime Minister, Theresa May . May and Varela will discuss different topics to strengthen British and Panamanian relations, including the one related to the Panamanian commitment to …
Gender parity to be maintained through Electoral process
With the intention of “guaranteeing” gender parity in the nominations of political parties during the Panamanian electoral process, the Electoral Tribunal repealed the articles of Decree No. 19 of April of this year . This was reported by the Electoral Tribunal, which reported that the plenum of the magistrates issued …
El Siglo Interview of Prof.Murgas: Choosing of Constituents goes unchecked
INTERVIEW In the call to reform the Constitution there are untouchable issues, such as social issues and the title of the Panama Canal, for example. In the opinion of the former judge of the Electoral Tribunal, it is important that the choice of the persons who will draft this new Constitution …
Second phase of interviews begin for Supreme Court nominees
The Commission of State for Justice begins today the second stage of interviews to the aspirants to the position of magistrate of the Supreme Court of Justice (CSJ). After interviewing, last week, the first ten candidates for the post, from today until this Friday, May 18, the second group of …
CCIAP calls for oversight of discretionary spending
The Chamber of Commerce, Industries and Agriculture of Panama (CCIAP) yesterday asked the National Assembly to stop the discretionary use of State resources through the deputies. In a pronouncement of this business entity signed by its president, Gabriel Barletta, the CCIAP asks the members of the Assembly to fulfill the …
Confession sheds light on bribes under Varela watch
The businessman from Chihuahua, Juan Alexis Rodríguez Sáez, arrived at the Public Prosecutor’s Office to tell other facts that he suddenly remembered while reviewing the social media. All this in the corruption scheme in which allegedly handled bribes for $ 40 million. Rodríguez Sáez, manager of Constructora Rodsa, SA had been …
Varela no stranger to travel expenses for Panama
Juan Carlos Varela entered the list of the three leaders of the democratic era that more trips abroad have made. Last Saturday he went on a tour of three countries: the United Kingdom, Israel and Palestine, adding 53 trips since he came to power. This list is preceded by 96 …
Panama looking at predictable challenge of legalizing Marijuana
The legislative initiative that establishes the medicinal use of cannabis or marijuana is ready for the second debate in the National Assembly If approved, the ministries of Education, Health and Commerce will be responsible for the surveillance, control and regulation functions; There will be a period of 90 days to …
Monumental meeting planned for June between US and DPRK.
The expected summit between Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un will take place on June 12 in Singapore, the US president announced Thursday, after receiving in the early morning the three released by Pyongyang. “We will try to make it a special moment for world peace!” Trump added …
Indicted trader is extradited back to Panama.
Trader Nidal Waked returned to Panama yesterday, two years and six days after being arrested in Colombia, at the request of the United States, where he finally pleaded guilty to conspiracy to launder money. Yasser Williams , Waked’s lawyer in Panama, confirmed the return of his client, although in the …
Varela seeking end to SUNTRACS with intervention
President Juan Carlos Varela today requested an arbitration if they do not reach an agreement at the parallel table between the Panamanian Chamber of Construction (Capac) and the Single Trade Union of Construction Workers and the like (Suntracs). day sunday “The government asks you very respectfully to go to an …
New election committee for Panamenista
The National Directory of the Panameñista Party chose the night of this Wednesday, May 9, in a secret vote, the members of its new National Elections Committee. The members of the National Elections Committee will be in charge of organizing the internal processes of the Panameñista Party on the occasion …
Panama no place for Neo-Liberalism
Panama will host the Second Regional Global Industrial Union Conference where trade union leaders from different parts of the world will participate, who will denounce that neoliberal policies are again on the agenda of the governments of the countries of Latin America and the Caribbean. This activity will take place …
National Assembly hiring all askew
Civic and business organizations rejected the increase in funds, by more than 600%, in three budget items used to hire personnel managed by the deputies of the National Assembly (AN) . These are items 02 (temporary staff); 080 (trusted staff) and 172 (professional services contracts), which went from $ 5 …
Criminal complaints to be filed today against Carles
To the magistrates, according to the norm, also corresponds to send the file with the recent failure to the electoral public prosecutor JUDICIAL Two criminal complaints will be filed today against the Labor Minister, Luis Ernesto Carles, after magistrates of the Electoral Tribunal, through a ruling, sanctioned the dismissal that …