Today, I announce the appointment of former President of Panama Ricardo Alberto Martinelli Berrocal (“Martinelli”) for his involvement in acts of significant corruption. Specifically, Martinelli accepted bribes in exchange for improperly awarding government contracts during his term as president. These section 7031(c) designations make Martinelli and members of his immediate family ineligible to enter the United States.
Accepting bribes in exchange for contracts for government projects undermines the integrity of Panama’s democratic institutions and fuels perceptions of corruption and impunity. Such acts of public corruption undermine trust in governments and reduce the resources available for schools, hospitals, roads and other services.
These designations reaffirm the United States’ commitment to combating corruption, which harms the public interest, hinders economic prosperity, and reduces the ability of governments to respond effectively to the needs of their people. The United States stands with all Panamanians, in support of democracy and the rule of law, and will continue to promote accountability for those who abuse public power for personal gain, regardless of position or political affiliation.
