“JB”- Do this exercise each morning to restore your faith in humanity.

https://youtu.be/VX-5fQYIXQg

Former Vice President José Gabriel Carrizo is facing legal proceedings for alleged illicit enrichment. He returned to Panama without being sworn in to the Central American Parliament (Parlacen), a procedure he had already attempted to complete last year alongside former President Laurentino Cortizo, without success. Regional jurisdiction remains beyond his reach, at least for now. It’s only a matter of time: recent history shows that this refuge is rarely completely ruled out.

Media attention is focused on the legal future of the woman who wielded real power in a government plagued by corruption scandals. Gaby embodies those “big fish” that the public longs to see behind bars in a country where impunity is the norm. But it’s too early—and also quite naive—to assume that will happen.

There are plenty of reasons for skepticism. In Panama, those who wield power and resources usually get away with it. Odebrecht is a clear example: the certainty of punishment becomes the certainty of escape, or at least the possibility of keeping a good portion of the loot.

Little is known about the case against Carrizo. It is unclear how solid the evidence is that the Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office has, or whether it is a well-founded legal process, a staged event intended as a distraction, or a combination of both.

Thus, rather than guessing the outcome, it is worthwhile to focus on some features of Gaby’s brief and dishonorable political career that should serve as a mirror —and a warning— to current officials.

1. The power of contracts

Gaby’s Ministry of the Presidency centralized all purchases and contracts during the pandemic, and the stench of corruption was everywhere. The pandemic ended, but the practices didn’t: direct contracts, fabricated emergencies, and rigged bids continue, all benefiting businesspeople with close ties to the government. Special mention should be made of those, like Félix Fallabella, who remain on the list of favorites despite his links to individuals designated by OFAC for their connections to the Nicolás Maduro regime.

2. Cronyism and conflicts of interest

With Gaby, a group of friends, associates, and cronies came to power, monopolizing strategic positions in the country and the foreign service. A web of cronyism and undisclosed conflicts of interest cost the state millions. The renewal of the Panama Ports contract and the shameful mining contract stand as proof.

In the current administration, this improper mixing of public and private interests not only persists but has become the norm. The list of officials and businesspeople aligned—in both interests and profit—with projects like the mine reopening and the ethanol project, among many others, is long.

3. The Comptroller’s Office as an accomplice

None of the major scandals of the previous administration would have been possible without the complicity of the then-Comptroller, Gerardo Solís. The oversight of public funds died on Balboa Avenue… and has yet to be revived. Today, we have in office a businessman, lobbyist, and political operative who, in his spare time, approves contracts as it suits him. That should set off alarm bells.

The legal outcome for Carrizo remains uncertain. The important thing is that the media attention surrounding his case doesn’t become a smokescreen for what’s happening today. Looking to Gaby as a model would require current officials to have an ethical compass, something many have failed to demonstrate.

What the case of the former vice president does make clear is that political power is not eternal, but in Panama, its methods of abuse are always recycled.

Sabrina Bacal