Former Panama Vice President Arrested Upon Return to Country

Former Vice President José Gabriel Carrizo was arrested this Monday upon his arrival at Tocumen International Airport from Guatemala. Upon his arrival, Carrizo made brief statements to the media, in which he indicated that he had decided to return to the country after learning through the press of an order to appear before the authorities. It should be recalled that last year the Comptroller General of the Republic ordered the seizure of assets and bank accounts linked to Carrizo for an amount of 1.3 million dollars. It also includes vehicles registered in his name and accounts receivable or credits in his favor before the National Treasury or state entities. The former Vice President stated that the accusation of unjustified enrichment is a political persecution against him and added that he has more than three investigations in different prosecutor's offices on the same cause. The measure includes the retention of farms, cash, deposits, fixed-term deposits, current accounts, credit cards, encrypted accounts, and safety deposit boxes in the name of the former vice president. 'Just now I learned from you, from the media, about a note that spoke of appearing and being escorted,' he expressed. Carrizo assured that he returned to Panama 'with his head held high' to face the situation, stating that he is innocent of the accusations against him. The Public Ministry, through the Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office of the Accusatory Penal System, Primary Care Section, yesterday requested the Judicial Investigation Directorate (DIJ) to apprehend and take Carrizo into custody for the alleged commission of a crime against the public administration, in the modality of unjustified enrichment. 'I am here, I preferred not to attend the swearing-in of Parlatino and come on the first flight.'