OFF THE CUFF: Power insider, the smoking gun?

SEVERAL high profile insiders of the previous administration have pointed fingers at ex-president Ricardo Martinelli, as the man who not only held the levers of power, but was not afraid to pull them, even including his alleged demand, exposed in an Estrella de Panama investigation, to oust the head of a non-government enterprise, Petaquilla Gold.

 It has also extended to a collections agency given a contract and rich pickings for chasing up businesses behind in their taxes.

The allegations relating directly to Martinelli over that deal have caused a tsunami of calls for quick action against the country’s former leader.  They come  from a man, who like some other of Martinelli assiciates  has managed to stay close to whoever has his hand on the levers,  regardless of political leanings. Money has no party, and the power brokers trim their sales according to the prevailing wind.

Cristóbal Salerno’s  proximity to the Democratic Change (CD) party was evident the night of Oct. 10, 2013 at a dinner held in the Marriott hotel to raise funds for the campaign of its presidential candidate, José Domingo Arias says La Prensa.

Salerno, a large economic contributor, sat at the head table with President Ricardo Martinelli.

But his political loyalty has changed with the times. In a 2006 interview, he said he had supported the 1994 campaign of Ernesto Pérez Balladares, of the Democratic Revolutionary Party (PRD), and also of Martín Torrijos in 1999. After Torrijos lost, he switched his allegiance to the Panameñistas, supporting José Miguel Alemán.

His losing streak for backing candidates came to an end with his support for Martinelli. But the defeat of Arias may have permanently closed the doors of power to this political insider, as he faces a number of corruption charges related to lucrative government contracts In the past he was once a fugitive when weapons and grenades were found in his home, But  if he can prove his allegations he may still have his hand on the trigger to bring down the man he once cozied up to.