Former President of Panama Ricardo Alberto Martinelli Berrocal and his family are barred from entering the US due to "involvement in significant corruption,” U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced.
Blinken claimed that Berrocal, president of Panama from 2009-2014, of accepting bribes in exchange for awarding government contracts, adding that the action undermines the integrity of Panama’s democratic institutions and fuels perceptions of corruption and impunity.
“Such acts of public corruption diminish confidence in governance and reduce resources available for schools, hospitals, roads, and other government services," Blinken wrote.
He also asserted that the US is committed to fighting corruption around the globe.
"These designations reaffirm the commitment of the US to combat corruption, which harms the public interest, hampers countries’ economic prosperity, and curtails the ability of governments to respond effectively to the needs of their people," he stressed.
In the same vein, Blinken emphasized that Washington will continue to stand with all Panamanians in support of democracy and the rule of law. The American official concluded that they will continue to promote accountability for those who abuse public power for personal gain, regardless of their position or political affiliation.
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