Monday
Monday 17th February 2025.
February 16, 2025
A Spanish court has charged former Panamanian President Ricardo Martinelli (2009-2014) with an alleged crime of gender violence, accused of spying on his ex-lover in 2020 through four civil guards and private security personnel.
Martinelli’s partner from 2015 to 2020 told a judge in Palma de Mallorca (Balearic Islands) in May 2022 that she felt spied on during the summer of 2020 on the island.
After filing several complaints in July of that year, the Internal Affairs service of the Civil Guard opened an investigation and discovered that four agents, the owner of a bodyguard company and a security guard had been following the woman on behalf of Martinelli, who wanted to know if she was being unfaithful to him.
The victim noticed that she was being followed all over the island, even placing beacons and geolocators in her car and putting her physical integrity at risk, she said.
Searches at the homes of the six detainees led to the seizure of technological components for carrying out surveillance and monitoring activities.
The agents also found various handwritten documents relating to the planning and organisation of the espionage.
The complainant also stated that Martinelli was jealous and very controlling and that he forced her to lose a large number of contacts, according to the newspaper ‘Última Hora’.
The source does not identify the complainant.
The controversial millionaire, also implicated in the Odebrecht case for alleged bribery, forced her to leave her job at an art gallery, gave her a salary of about 8,000 euros and paid her rent on a villa in Miami, according to the woman.
Martinelli was sentenced in Panama to 10 years and six months in prison and a fine of 19 million dollars for money laundering.
Prosecutors Elizabeth Carrión, Yenibeth Barraza and Gina Díaz requested preventive detention for the 83 members of the Construction and Similar Workers Union (Suntracs) arrested during the clashes that took place last Wednesday at the facilities of the new Children’s Hospital, located on Avenida Balboa.
During the hearing that began last Friday, prosecutors charged National Police officers who were trying to open traffic with crimes against public safety, personal injury, and damage to private property.
The prosecutors argued that in this case, preventive detention is the most appropriate in light of the events that occurred, since these are serious crimes that put the lives of public servants at risk.
At the same time, they detailed that several of the injured police officers affected during the incidents managed to recognize their attackers.
They also explained that during the incidents damage was caused to the facilities of the new Children’s Hospital, which is a public asset.
Judge Luzmila Jaramillo ordered a recess until 2:45 pm, when the defense attorneys will present their opposition to the request made by the prosecutors.
Several defense attorneys said their clients were out on the street protesting the intention to raise the retirement age and that they did so peacefully until police officers began firing tear gas.
Gonzálo Moncada Luna, one of the defense attorneys, argued that the workers’ fundamental rights were violated, since they remained detained for several hours without the assistance of a lawyer.
Meanwhile, lawyer Rubén Castrejo argued that some of the workers were beaten and mistreated during the arrest process and that this is a serious violation of their constitutional rights.
The National Bank of Panama confirmed the closure of the current account and corporate credit card of the National Union of Construction and Similar Workers (Suntracs).
In a letter dated Wednesday, February 12, 2025, and addressed to the union’s general secretary, Saúl Méndez, the bank informs him that it is enforcing clause 17 of the service contract, which establishes that the bank “may, at any time and without the need for justified cause , close any deposit or credit account.”
Regarding the credit card, the National Bank also relies on another clause, number 18, which states that “ it will have the right to terminate this contract at any time, without justified cause.”
This letter is being issued on the same day (February 12) that violent clashes between construction workers and riot police officers were reported on Balboa Avenue. These disturbances resulted in nearly 20 officers injured, more than 500 people arrested and damages of nearly $200,000.
Abdiel Betancourt, Secretary of Finance of Suntracs, had announced yesterday that the account they had with the entity was closed without prior formal notice.
“We have been without liquidity for more than 24 hours and we have not been officially notified,” he said, adding that the situation has affected payments to suppliers and the financial operations of the organization.
On Saturday night, February 15, Suntracs Secretary General Saul Mendez arrived at Tocumen International Airport after a visit to Geneva, Switzerland , where he filed an extension of a complaint with the International Labor Organization (ILO) . The action is in response to the closure of the union’s bank accounts by the National Bank of Panama , a measure that has generated concern within the union.
The note submitted to the ILO sets out a pattern of measures taken during the last two governments. According to the document, during the 2019-2024 administration , the union and its cooperative’s accounts at the Caja de Ahorros were closed , while the current government replicated the same action with the accounts at the National Bank of Panama .
In addition, the detention of workers during protests on Balboa Avenue and the suspension of access to funds from the Educational Insurance , intended for the training of unions throughout the country, were reported. These measures, according to the complaint, constitute an attempt to limit the operation of the union movement and restrict its resources.
“With the allegations made in this expanded complaint, it is clear that we are in a very delicate moment and in danger of violation, the scale of which is increasing,” concludes the note, signed by Méndez and Marco Andrade , secretary of the National Confederation of Independent Trade Union Unity (Conusi) .
Health Minister Fernando Boyd Galindo was scheduled to present to the National Assembly ‘s Budget Committee last Thursday a transfer of funds for $761,000 to cover a debt owed by the entity to the cleaning company Sicarelle Holdings.
However, he decided to withdraw the procedure. When questioned by deputy Jhonathan Vega , from the independent Vamos bench , Boyd Galindo explained that he still has to “study the issue carefully”, since it involves “old accounts” corresponding to 2022, when the Amador temporary hospital hired the cleaning service during the Covid-19 pandemic.
“What happens, Minister, is that this is a very questionable company,” Vega responded, referring to the previous allegations regarding contracts with the State.
Sicarelle Holdings has been at the center of several controversies over its contracts with public institutions. During the pandemic, the government of PRD member Laurentino Cortizo awarded it several contracts for cleaning and disinfecting hospitals and state agencies, some of which raised questions about their amounts and conditions.
The Ministry of Health has not yet specified whether it will resubmit the request for the transfer of funds or whether it will review the legality of the debt before proceeding with the payment.
“The future of Panama is not built with violence,” says the Chamber of Commerce, Industries and Agriculture of Panama (Cciap) in the text that the Chamber Opines publishes every Sunday.
The warning from the business association was made in relation to the violent protests that took place last Wednesday by members of the Single Union of Construction and Similar Workers (Suntracs) at the facilities of the Children’s Hospital, which left 16 police officers injured, in addition to damage to the infrastructure and several arrests.
“The Chamber of Commerce, Industries and Agriculture of Panama categorically repudiates any act of violence as a pressure mechanism for conflict resolution. In a democratic country, respect for the law and dialogue are the only legitimate ways to find solutions to national challenges, including the crisis of the Social Security Fund (CSS),” the business association indicated.
They say that in recent months, various sectors of society have had the opportunity to express, at a national level, their positions and present proposals on how to save the Social Security Fund.
“This is a complex issue that requires serious, responsible analysis and consensus, not impositions or criminal acts that threaten the stability of the country. Violence, coercion and the kidnapping of citizens are not acceptable methods in a civilized society. Actions aimed at instilling terror to force an objective not only generate chaos and uncertainty, but also distance Panama from peaceful coexistence, development and investment, affecting all citizens, especially the most vulnerable,” they warned.
Regarding the actions of Suntracs, the Chamber of Commerce stated that historically, this group has opted for imposition through force, blocking streets and intimidation.
In this regard, they indicated that given the seriousness of the events that occurred, it is imminent that the Public Prosecutor’s Office carry out the relevant investigations and ensure that those responsible for these acts are brought to justice, the evidence is evident, clear and irrefutable.
“Trade unions, like business associations and associations in general, are organisations that seek to improve and defend the interests of their members and cannot be, in a State of Law, shock troops to impose whims,” states the Chamber of Commerce document, which calls for a commitment to dialogue as the only way to reach sustainable agreements.