Authorities seized eight bank accounts and real estate properties, totaling US$1.3 million.

On Tuesday, Former Panamanian Vice President Jose Gabriel Carrizo was arrested upon returning from Guatemala, by order of the Prosecutor’s Office, which accused him of unjust enrichment.

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The politician declared his “innocence” at Tocumen International Airport, while agents from the Directorate of Judicial Investigation transferred him to a police vehicle to appear before the competent authorities.

He explained that he decided not to be sworn in as a deputy to the Central American Parliament (Parlacen), based in Guatemala, because that position grants immunity from ordinary justice, which he stated would have “sparked speculations.”

Carrizo, who was also a presidential candidate for the Democratic Revolutionary Party (PRD) in 2024, denounced “political persecution,” stating that he faces more than three investigations in different prosecutors’ offices for the same reason.

In Oct., Panama’s Comptroller General ordered the seizure of eight bank accounts and real estate properties linked to Carrizo, which totaled up to US$1.3 million. However, he submitted a forensic audit on January 15, which, according to him, demonstrates that he has not unjustly enriched himself.

The text reads, “Former Vice President Jose Gabriel Carrizo arrived in Panama with his wife and was met by DIJ agents at Tocumen Airport. The Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office issued him an arrest warrant for illicit enrichment. The legal process is proceeding according to the law.”

Carrizo gained significant visibility in the administration of Laurentino Cortizo (2019-2024) and was identified as one of the figures behind corruption scandals that increased during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Transparency International (TI) noted in 2021 that the state of emergency decreed by the Executive Branch exempted the government from controls and accountability, which generated evidence of corruption in public administration.

Carrizo defended the “transparent” management of the US$1.4 billion approved in 2020 to combat the pandemic in Panama and insisted that his administration acted responsibly.

teleSUR: JP

Source: EFE

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