Panama: Party Threatens to Revoke Deputy's Mandate for Supporting Ex-Presidents' Swearing-In

The leader of the Realizing Goals party, Ricardo Martinelli, stated that the deputy from Realizing Goals who votes in favor of the swearing-in of Cortizo and Carrizo will have their mandate revoked. The draft document, once approved, will be sent to all members of the Parliament for consideration. The former president assured that he has information that former officials are seeking to be sworn in at the Central American Parliament (Parlacen) to 'avoid justice' because they believe they have 'more chances' of having investigations resolved in their favor at the Supreme Court of Justice for having appointed the majority of the incumbent magistrates. At the meeting, the possibility of presenting a motion to ban the swearing-in of officials at the end of their term was analyzed. The Realizing Goals (RM) party has instructed its deputies to vote against this request. This proposal could prevent the swearing-in of former President Laurentino Cortizo and former Vice President José Gabriel Carrizo, who have been awaiting their admission since October 2024. Martinelli not only made the party's decision public but also demanded justice: 'It is high time for those two thieves and scoundrels who were in power for five years and did not do a single thing, and tried to kill me, to go and face justice.' According to the proponent, this initiative seeks to 'end the privilege established by the constituent treaty that automatically grants outgoing presidents the right to be sworn in as deputies' of this international body. 'That's what they deserve, to be in prison'. Yesterday, Wednesday, Panama's deputies to the Central American Parliament (Parlacen) met to address various national issues. He mentioned that both individuals must face the accusations against them for alleged illicit enrichment and money laundering.