OFF THE CUFF: Inside the “Den of Thieves”

FORMER Panama President Ricardo Martinelli participated Wednesday, September  24 in a meeting of the Central American Parliament (Parlacen), the body he had earlier described as “a den of thieves”

The meeting took place in Guatemala and the news was quickly picked up by regional social networks, where people shared photographs of the former president at the meeting. 

While he was in office, Martinelli tried to remove Panama from the group, saying it was a “den of thieves.”
Former presidents are eligible for membership, and receive immunity as members.
Martinelli sought membership less than 12 hours after leaving office. Martinelli addressed the Integration Commission, saying there needs to be more cooperation on issues such as travel documents, currency and tourism.
“Each country is fighting for its part, without working together;” Martinelli said. “We must fight together.”