2016 was a year of corruption scandals involving trillions of dollars, most notably the Panama Papers that exposed tax havens for the ruling elite of the world.
Corruption is arguably another name for capitalism. In the era of the worldwide economic crisis, the ruling classes around the world are manipulating and cheating in any way possible to save themselves.
Although International Anti-Corruption Day, Dec. 9, originated with the United Nations in 2003, corruption is only growing — the only difference being that now in the age of the internet and whistleblowers, it is exposed more often.
According to the U.N., every year US$1 trillion is paid in bribes while an estimated US$2.6 trillion are stolen annually through corruption.
teleSUR takes a look at the biggest corruption scandals of 2016.
If You Read One Thing
Latin American Elites and the Panama Papers
The Panama Papers, confidential files from the Panamanian law firm Mossack Fonseca, were leaked Sunday, ensnaring high-level Latin American politicians in a sprawling tax evasion scandal.
Among the politicians implicated are Argentine Presiden Mauricio Macri, Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto, Peruvian presidential front-runner Keiko Fujimori and Brazilian lawmaker Eduardo Cunha. READ MORE
Worldwide: Panama Papers
The set of over 11.5 million documents links the influential politicians in a scam to hide assets in shell companies and offshore tax havens, further entrenching the region in an ever-growing web of corruption.
Iceland PM Resigns After Panama Papers Leak
Iceland's prime minister, Sigmundur Gunnlaugsson, resigned after leaks, from Panama law firm Mossack Fonseca, showed he and his wife, owned an offshore company, Wintris, in which he is accused of concealing millions of dollars worth of family assets. READ MORE
Panama Papers: David Cameron On the Ropes over $280,000 'Gift'
Prime Minister David Cameron took the unusual step of publishing his tax records to try to end days of questions about his personal wealth caused by the mention of his late father's offshore fund in the Panama Papers. But any hope that this would draw a line under the row was short-lived, as British newspapers zeroed in on a gift of 200,000 pounds ($280,000) Cameron received from his mother in 2011, suggesting it may be a way of avoiding inheritance tax. READ MORE
Brazil: Petrobras
What You Need to Know About Brazil's Petrobras Scandal
The Petrobras scandal has long been a thorn in Brazil's side. Over the past two years, over 100 people have been arrested for their alleged involvement, including senators and top executives at Petrobras. READ MORE
Brazil Senate Now Wants to Protect Politicians from Corruption
The Brazilian Senate is looking to approve a law that will curb the authority of prosecutors and judges involved in corruption investigations, a move widely criticized as a strategy by the Michel Temer-led coup government to shield themselves from graft charges, especially the biggest in the country's history involving state-run oil company Petrobras. READ MORE
South Korea: State Corruption
General Strike in South Korea Demands Impeach President
South Korean President Park was accused of leaking documents to her close friend Choi Soon-sil, who is accused of wielding undue influence at the heart of the South Korean government and of personally profiting from her ties to the country’s first woman president. READ MORE
Guatemala: La Linea
Guatemala Corruption Case Escalates as 5 Ex-Ministers Charged
The country’s attorney general accused the ministers of former President Perez Molina of money laundering and bribery involving up to US$4.5 million. READ MORE
Timeline: The Downfall of Guatemalan President Perez Molina
Former President Perez Molina, Baldetti, and 30 other people, including several high-level officials, are implicated in the massive fraud network that operated a bribery scheme in the country’s tax authority with the former president and vice president as key ringleaders. READ MORE
US: Pay to Play
Clinton Foundation Hacked, 'Pay to Play' Exposed: Report
Bank of America, Capital One, Goldman Sachs and JPMorgan are some of those listed that are alleged to have donated money to several House representatives such as Barney Frank, James Clyburn, Paul Kanjorski among others. READ MORE
Mexico: State Corruption
Mexico's Peña Nieto Vetoes Bills Planned to Tackle Corruption
Peña Nieto’s government has been embroiled in several corruption scandals, including accusations of conflict-of-interest, turning a blind eye to fraud and vote buying in the presidential election. The president was also implicated in the Panama Papers through his personal friend and so-called “favorite contractor” Juan Armando Hinojosa. READ MORE
Peru: Cronyism
Peru Youth Rise Up Against Corruption, Cronyism
Thousands of Peruvian citizens led by university students mobilized to reject President Pedro Pablo Kuczynski and the Fujimorista-controlled Congress.Those organizing the protest claim President Kuczynski is supporting the selection of morally and technically unqualified Fujimorista supporters to head several government institutions in exchange for support for reforms in Congress. READ MORE
title='A man holds a sign that reads 'Bye Darling' in reference to Brazil's Senate President Renan Calheiros, as he takes part in a protest against corruption at Paulista Avenue in Sao Paulo, Brazil, December 4, 2016.' width="798" height="449">
A man holds a sign that reads 'Bye Darling' in reference to Brazil's Senate President Renan Calheiros, as he takes part in a protest against corruption at Paulista Avenue in Sao Paulo, Brazil, December 4, 2016.
| Photo Reuters
title='“The Marcos legacy of fascist repression and corruption have been forgotten by many among the youth because of the failure of post-Marcos government to decisively punish the Marcoses. We will not let the Duterte administration pass on this issue,” said Anakbayan National Secretary-General Einstein Recedes.' width="798" height="449">
“The Marcos legacy of fascist repression and corruption have been forgotten by many among the youth because of the failure of post-Marcos government to decisively punish the Marcoses. We will not let the Duterte administration pass on this issue,” said Anakbayan National Secretary-General Einstein Recedes.
| Photo EFE
title='Protesters hold candles during an anti-government rally in central Seoul on November 19, 2016, aimed at forcing South Korean President Park Geun-Hye to resign over a corruption scandal. ' width="798" height="449">
Protesters hold candles during an anti-government rally in central Seoul on November 19, 2016, aimed at forcing South Korean President Park Geun-Hye to resign over a corruption scandal.
| Photo Reuters
title='The former president of El Salvador, Elias Antonio Saca attends an initial hearing regarding corruption charges, San Salvador, El Salvador, November 3, 2016.' width="798" height="449">
The former president of El Salvador, Elias Antonio Saca attends an initial hearing regarding corruption charges, San Salvador, El Salvador, November 3, 2016.
| Photo EFE
title='The right-wing candidate is believed by many Peruvians to be a figure tainted by corruption and ties to organized crime.' width="798" height="449">
The right-wing candidate is believed by many Peruvians to be a figure tainted by corruption and ties to organized crime.
| Photo teleSUR
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