US Ambassador refers to “significant corruption” of former president Varela

The United States ambassador to Panama, Mari Carmen Aponte, affirmed, Monday, July 24, in relation to the case of former president Juan Carlos Varela, that the designations for significant corruption made by her country are the product of “investigations and confirmations” that were carried out.

The reference follows a pronouncement by Varela’s brother Jose Luis, a former deputy, that the ex-president’s name will be cleared.

The State Department of the United States government designated, on July 13, former President Varela as ineligible to enter the United States, due to his involvement in acts of significant corruption.

A similar designation was applied to former president  Ricardo Martinelli. Both are facing trial in Panama related to kickbacks from the Odebrecht company.