Lawyer Moisés Bartlett harshly criticized former president Laurentino Cortizo's decision to request his swearing-in to the Central American Parliament (Parlacen), describing the move as a desperate attempt to gain immunity from possible legal proceedings. Bartlett stated that this request confirms the suspicions of various actors in Panamanian civil society that the Parlacen has become a refuge for politicians seeking to evade justice.
Bartlett emphasized that the Parlacen, originally created to promote integration and democratic development in the region, has completely lost its purpose. According to the lawyer, the members of this body enjoy high salaries and privileges, what he calls "political tourism," without generating concrete results that benefit the development of the countries they represent.
The lawyer also criticized the Parlacen's decision to invite Russia as an observer, mentioning the expansionist and authoritarian policies of the Kremlin. He pointed out that this action reflects the dominance of authoritarian governments within the Parlacen, especially the dictatorship of Daniel Ortega in Nicaragua. Bartlett labeled the MPs of the Parlacen as "servants of antidemocratic regimes" and questioned their commitment to the democratic principles they should defend.
Regarding Laurentino Cortizo, Bartlett was especially critical, describing as a "triple shame" that, after promising transparency and justice in his campaign, he now seeks to join the Parlacen. He accused the former president of seeking protection against possible accusations of irregularities during his term, using the Parlacen as a shield. Bartlett urged Panamanian society and judicial authorities not to allow the Parlacen to become a refuge for those seeking to evade justice.
Finally, the lawyer called for a review of the role of the Parlacen and to consider the possibility of Panama withdrawing from this regional forum. He stressed the importance of Panamanians being vigilant about the movements of those seeking to evade their responsibilities by taking advantage of parliamentary immunity, to prevent these institutions from being used as protection against potential legal consequences.
