Influential Colombian Journalist Appears in Panama Papers

The name of one of the most influential journalists in Colombia, the news director of the country’s main media networks, is mentioned in the latest Panama Papers disclosed this week by the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists, known as the ICIJ.

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Dario Arismendy’s daughters Manuela and Andrea appear in the documents as shareholders of the company Clear Creek Limited, registered in the British Virgin Islands, of which Arismendy is the beneficiary.

The “Panama Papers” scandal was unveiled after a massive leak of documents from Panamanian law firm Mossack Fonseca, which specializes in establishing shell companies. The case has ensnared high-level businessmen, politicians and all kind of celebrities across the globe in money laundering and tax evasion.

Arismendy, who heads the Caracol media network, has been largely criticized for his open support to right-wing politicians and his aggressiveness against progressive politicians, like the left-wing former Bogota Mayor Gustavo Petro. 

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Meanwhile, the news service he runs is constantly opposed to progressive governments in Latin America, supporting the smear campaign against Venezuela, Bolivia, Brazil and Ecuador. 

Colombia's Ministry of Finance has been requesting Panama for information on the accounts of nationals in order to detect tax evasion practices, which cause the state lose out on billions of dollars in revenue each year.