OFF TH CUFF: Panama-Odebrecht coziness expands

WHILE PERU is considering terminating a contract for the construction of a $5 billion Odebrecht gas pipeline, in

Panama the government has approved an addendum to the Metro line 2 contract – which increases its cost – and has approved a direct purchase of land for the line.

In spite of revelations linking Odebrecht Panama to the Lava Jato bribery investigation the sun continues to shine on the scandal plagued Brazilian construction giant which has already received over $9 billion in contracts, including multiple addendums and direct purchases from government and city hall.

It also remains on the bid list for the construction of the $1 billion fourth bridge over the Canal.

President Juan Carlos Varela has distanced himself from calls by civil society  for an investigation into the Odebrecht  bribery links.