Legislators want to grill tourism czar over Carnival shambles

By Dylis Jones
THE PANAMENISTA party caucus in the National Assembly has scented  blood over the nonappearance of a reggaeton singer at Panama's Carnival, and large sums of money allegedly committed for his performance. 

The caucus, former allies of the ruling Democratic Change party including Tourism Authority Administrator Salomán Shamah, want him to appear before the National Assembly to explain what happened with the last-minute cancellation by singer Don Omar hired for the closing of the Panama City Carnival.
Legislator Grimaldo Cordoba said that Shamah should offer an explanation about why the singer cancelled and why he had to be replaced by Wisin y Yandel. Cordoba said that the subject has generated much concern. The caucus will present the request Monday, February 18
He said that remarks by Omar have contradicted the position of the Tourism Authority regarding the contract and the amount to be paid to the singer, thus answers are needed. The case could also result in legal action.
There is a question of a deposit allegedly paid by the authority of $130,000 which has yet to be returned. There is also a question of whether there was a signed contract between the two parties.
Shamah has survived previous exposures to the spotlight, including WikiLeaks exposures of memos from the US Embassy in Panama, linking him to money laundering allegations and the withdrawal of his US Visa. At that time, While there was widespread speculation over who would be his successor, President Ricardo Martinelli quashed speculation about the appointment of well-known tourism specialist Jaime Figueroa Navarro tasking over the job, by telling local media that the role would be assumed by a woman. Shamah tearfully said at a press conference that his job was at the disposal of the president and no woman appeared to supersede him.
Last year he faced criticism over the carnival budget after asking for a large budget for Carnival, after the president had said no a cent would be donated. He got the budget, and then went back to the table for more.
This year, there was more criticism as the budget climbed to nearly $3 million including $270,500 for a one hour appearance by Don Omar. This too was condemned by some commentators, who compared the amount to the minimal fees paid to Panamanian performers.