Money Laundering thrives in Panama justice

Panama advances plans to try to get off the lists of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF). Yesterday, representatives of the three State bodies and the Attorney General’s Office met to develop a strategy for that purpose. According to the Presidency of the Republic, the issue was addressed as part of the State agenda, based on a frontal fight against corruption, money laundering, tax evasion, transparency, strengthening of institutions and effective respect for the laws.

 But these issues go through the Judicial Branch, which seems pleased that the country remains on those lists. It is thanks to their actions – or lack thereof – that the country is stained by its incompetence; for the corruption that reigns in the judicial system at all levels; for the impunity it promotes by preventing the corrupt from paying for their actions; because money laundering is a thriving business; because it  is responsible for officials disrespecting, violating and caring very little with the Transparency Law and how much law exists if those involved are his friends, politicians. And about institutionality, they can’t even talk about it when the judicial career is a dead letter in that state body. We are on those lists because here there is simply no justice.   – LA PRENSA, August 22