US Ambassador Cabrera Calls Former ‘La Prensa’ Director Annette Planells an “Extortionist”
“She never deserved an award; We will work to take it away from her,” Cabrera emphasized.
The United States ambassador to Panama, Kevin Marino Cabrera, called Annette Planells, the former president and former director of the newspaper La Prensa, an “extortionist”. Through the X account, Cabrera asserted that Planells was “exposed through blackmail and electoral interference,” referring to the events that link her to attempts to sabotage President José Raúl Mulino’s candidacy. The diplomat strongly criticized the recognition that the State Department, under the administration of Joe Biden, gave her in December 2023 as an “Anti-corruption Champion”.
According to Cabrera, that honor turned into dishonor, and he pointed out that it completely distorted the objective of the award. “ She never deserved an award; we will work to take it away from her, ” Cabrera emphasized, making it clear that the new US diplomatic line is focused on “real collaborations, strong policies and true accountability,” without empty awards that end up distorting the fight against corruption. The ambassador’s message adds to growing international concern about the integrity of anti-corruption awards, as Panama closely watches how US foreign policy is beginning to make clear differences with previous administrations.
