Panama’s ex-president sentenced to 10 years for money laundering
Al JazeeraJUL 2023
The anti-corruption wave in Latin America has made the region's ex-presidents more vulnerable to criminal prosecution than ever before. Martinelli's sentencing is even likely to be followed by that of former Panamanian president Juan Carlos Varela Rodriguez. Their convictions send a message to crooked officials — who set up an entire illegal structure to collect the bribes — that betraying the public trust will no longer be tolerated.
Despite Tuesday's sentence, Martinelli remains an influential political figure. Last month he emerged victorious in his party's primary, which granted him the right to seek another term. These money laundering and corruption charges are politically motivated, while the trial is equivalent to political persecution. Martinelli is a victim of political manipulation designed to prevent his participation in the upcoming presidential elections.