The Panama Courts Do Not Grant Martinelli Protection in the Odebrecht Case: Past President Ricardo Martinelli Suffers Another Setback
Martinelli’s defense filed a constitutional appeal against Judge Baloisa Martínez’s decision to hold the trial without a group of Brazilian witnesses.
Former Panamanian President Ricardo Martinelli has faced major setbacks regarding protection and immunity in the massive Odebrecht bribery and money-laundering case. Panama’s top courts have routinely rejected his requests to annul the case and have continuously denied his legal motions to throw out the proceedings. Here are a few quick facts about his legal status in the Odebrecht proceedings:
- The Trial: The historic, high-profile trial involving Martinelli and 25 other defendants moved forward, with prosecutors in Panama seeking a conviction.
- The Charges: Prosecutors allege that Martinelli was the ultimate beneficiary of $59 million in illicit bribes paid by the Brazilian construction firm in exchange for lucrative government contracts during his 2009–2014 administration.
- Current Status: Martinelli faces up to 12 years in prison in this case. He attended the trial virtually from Colombia as pictured below, where he has been living in asylum since fleeing a separate money-laundering conviction (the “New Business” case) in 2025.
The Supreme Court of Justice did not admit a constitutional protection appeal filed by former President Ricardo Martinelli (2009-2014) against the decision of the First Liquidation Court of Criminal Cases that allowed the scheduling of the trial without the presence of a series of Brazilian witnesses. With the presentation of magistrate Carlos Vásquez, the Plenary of the Court confirmed a decision of the First Superior Court of Justice that upheld the decision adopted in the first instance by judge Baloisa Marquínez.
