Background on Key Figures and Relevance
The trial against former Panamanian presidents Ricardo Martinelli and Juan Carlos Varela, accused of receiving bribes from the Brazilian construction company Odebrecht, has been postponed for the fifth time. This ongoing delay has fueled criticism of Panama’s justice system and created an atmosphere of impunity.
Ricardo Martinelli: A former president of Panama (2009-2014), Martinelli is currently in self-imposed exile in Colombia to avoid detention. He was previously convicted of money laundering and faces nearly 11 years in prison. In 2022, a Panamanian court ordered his trial for allegedly receiving bribes from Odebrecht.
Juan Carlos Varela: The current Panamanian congressman and former president (2014-2019), Varela has admitted to receiving funds from Odebrecht as campaign donations through intermediaries during his 2009 presidential run. However, he denies accepting bribes while in office.
Details of the Postponement
The trial, initially scheduled to begin next week, has been postponed until January 12 to February 13, 2026. The delay stems from the court’s inability to notify one of the Colombia-based defendants about the hearing date.
Odebrecht’s Involvement in Panama
In 2016, Odebrecht admitted to paying over $788 million in bribes, primarily in Latin America. In Panama, the company acknowledged paying $59 million in commissions to secure public works contracts.
- Martinelli’s Sons: In 2022, two of Martinelli’s sons were sentenced to two and a half years in prison after pleading guilty to accepting bribes from Odebrecht during their father’s presidency.
- Travel Ban: Both Martinelli and Varela are barred from entering the United States due to corruption allegations.
Impact and Criticism
Lina Vega, president of Transparency International Panama, stated that the Odebrecht case in Panama is “the perfect symbol of impunity.” The repeated postponements have intensified criticism of the Panamanian justice system and fueled public frustration.
