New York - USA – January 26, 2023

edited by |tony wild

 

 

        US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said a statement about preventing PANAMA'S FORMER PRESIDENT AND HIS FAMILY FROM ENTERING THE COUNTRY.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that The United States will ban former Panamanian President Ricardo Martinelli and his family from entering the country, accusing him of accepting bribes.

"Martinelli improperly accepted bribes in exchange for awarding government contracts during his time as president," Blinken confirmed in the statement.

"Accepting bribes in exchange for government contracts undermines the integrity of Panama's democratic institutions, fuels corruption and impunity, and such acts of public corruption weaken confidence in governance and reduce the resources available for schools, hospitals, roads, and other government services," Blinken explained.

"These designations reaffirm the commitment of the United States to the fight against corruption, which harms the public interest, hinders the economic prosperity of states, and limits the ability of governments to respond effectively to the needs of their people," the statement said.

"The United States continues to stand with all Panamanians in support of democracy and the rule of law, and will continue to promote accountability for those who abuse public power for personal gain, regardless of their position or political affiliation,"Blinken's statement concluded.