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Sons of Panama ex-president released from US jail

Photo: Johan Ordonez / AFP

January 25 | By AFP |

Two sons of former Panamanian president Ricardo Martinelli were released from prison in the United States Wednesday after serving sentences for corruption linked to the Brazilian construction giant Odebrecht, authorities said.

Luis Enrique and Ricardo Martinelli were released slightly ahead of completing their three-year terms because of good behavior, a spokesperson for the federal Bureau of Prisons told AFP.

The brothers admitted receiving $28 million in bribes from the disgraced construction group, of which $19 million had passed through US accounts.

They pleaded guilty in December 2021 after being extradited from Guatemala to the United States.

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In May last year, they were sentenced to three years behind bars. They served two and a half years in total, including time already spent in detention in Guatemala and the United States before their conviction.

A judicial official, speaking on condition of anonymity, told AFP that the men would be sent back to Panama following their release from a prison in Allenwood, Pennsylvania.

They are likely to be arrested in Panama where they — along with their father — face criminal charges of money laundering and graft.

Their defense attorney, Carlos Carrillo, told AFP that the two brothers had paid $14 million in bond to the Panamanian judiciary to remain free while their cases work their way through the courts.

Odebrecht admitted in 2016 that it and affiliated entities had paid $788 million in bribes in efforts between 2001 and 2016 to win contracts for some 100 projects in Panama and 11 other countries. It agreed to pay US authorities $3.5 billion in penalties.

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Martinelli, 70, who governed Panama from 2009 to 2014, seeks to run for his nation’s presidency again in 2024 even though he has been summoned to stand trial on money laundering charges.

Central America

Sheinbaum and Petro reaffirm solidarity with Panama after Trump’s remarks on Canal

Latin American leaders expressed their support for Panama and emphasized the nation’s sovereignty over the canal that connects the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, following statements by U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, who suggested he might attempt to regain control of the waterway built across the Panamanian isthmus.

“The Panama Canal belongs to the Panamanians. Our solidarity and support go to the President of Panama and the people of Panama,” said Mexico’s President, Claudia Sheinbaum, during her regular morning press conference.

Colombian President Gustavo Petro also weighed in on the controversy, writing on social media X, “I will stand with Panama and defend its sovereignty to the last consequences.”

Sheinbaum and Petro reaffirmed their support for Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino, who strongly rejected Trump’s threats. The president-elect, who will take office on January 20, stated during a rally that the United States “foolishly” handed over the Panama Canal to its Central American ally.

The United States built much of the Panama Canal in the early 20th century in an effort to facilitate the movement of commercial and military ships across the transoceanic route, which it then administered for nearly 100 years.

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Central America

El Salvador’s MARN monitors ongoing seismic activity in La Unión department

Seismic activity in the Conchagua area and its surroundings, located in the department of La Unión, continues to accumulate events, surpassing 1,350 aftershocks as of Wednesday morning, according to the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (MARN).

As of 6:00 AM on December 18th, a total of 1,351 earthquakes have been recorded, of which 176 were felt, according to the data published by the Ministry of Environment. The seismic activity in this area of the eastern part of the country began on December 8th after a magnitude 5.8 earthquake was recorded at 9:50 PM. The magnitudes of the aftershocks have ranged between 2.5 and 5.0.

The Ministry of Environment continues to monitor seismic activity in this region and throughout El Salvador to take appropriate measures and ensure the safety of the Salvadoran population.

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Sports

Real Madrid clinches fourth Intercontinental Cup with 3-0 victory over Pachuca

Real Madrid crowned themselves champions of their fourth Intercontinental Cup on Wednesday, defeating Mexican club Pachuca 3-0 in Doha, thanks to goals from Frenchman Kylian Mbappé and Brazilians Rodrygo and Vinicius.

The ‘Merengues’ thus capped off a spectacular 2024 year, winning five titles. Before this success in Qatar, they had already claimed the Spanish League, the UEFA Champions League, and the Super Cups of Spain and Europe.

Mbappé, who made his return after a minor muscle injury, capitalized on a pass from Brazilian Vinicius in the 37th minute, who dribbled past goalkeeper Carlos Moreno, to finish from close range. It was the first shot on target for Real Madrid.

The team doubled their lead with another brilliant goal from Rodrygo, who feigned a shot to beat his defenders and created enough space to take a strike from the edge of the area, beating Moreno in the 53rd minute.

For a few moments, the goal was under review after Venezuelan referee Jesús Valenzuela was called to check a potential offside by Jude Bellingham.

However, the referee concluded that the Englishman did not interfere with the play and the goal was allowed.

Five minutes later, Belgian goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois had to use his hand to stop a dangerous ball, which Salomón Rondón almost put into the net.

Mbappé, who had scored a hat-trick in the 2022 World Cup final that was lost to Argentina’s Lionel Messi in the same Lusail stadium, left the pitch in the 62nd minute on the decision of Italian coach Carlo Ancelotti, who lifted his 15th title with the club—one more than the legendary Miguel Muñoz.

When it seemed like the players of Uruguayan Guillermo Almada had gained some initiative, Oussama Idrissi fouled Lucas Vázquez inside the area, and the penalty was reviewed via VAR.

Vinicius converted the spot-kick in the 84th minute with a low, powerful shot that Moreno touched but could not save.

The newly named FIFA Player of the Year had another chance to score, while Ángel Mena managed to head the ball into the net before the 90-minute mark, but his goal was ruled offside.

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