General

The Second Prosecutor’s Office Against Organized Crime of Panama issued arrest warrants for Saúl Méndez, general secretary of the National Single Union of Construction and Related Workers (Suntracs), and Genaro López, a former leader of the organization. Both are being investigated for their alleged involvement in a case of aggravated fraud.Upon learning of the judicial mandate, Méndez sought diplomatic shielding and headed to the Bolivian Embassy in Panama in the small hours of May 21, 2025, to formally apply for political asylum. As for López, officials had yet to verify his exact location, although intelligence suggested he could possibly be…

As the Odebrecht trial in Panama enters its final stage, the defense teams of former ministers Demetrio “Jimmy” Papadimitriu and Frank De Lima have requested that their clients be acquitted, while challenging the evidence presented by the Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office. Both former officials served in the administration of Ricardo Martinelli between 2009 and 2014.During the closing arguments delivered on February 26, attorney Arturo Sauri, representing Papadimitriu, contended that the prosecution failed to establish his client's participation in money laundering. The defense asserted that Papadimitriu was not involved in any commercial or contractual dealings with Odebrecht throughout his tenure as Minister…

A United Nations panel of experts has urged independent probes regarding Guatemala’s departing Attorney General, Consuelo Porras, concerning potential ties to allegedly unlawful international adoption procedures involving Indigenous minors. This appeal stems from an orphanage where Porras acted as director during a seven-month period in 1982.The UN stated that it had obtained reports regarding a minimum of 80 Indigenous minors who stayed at the Elisa Martínez Temporary Home, a facility that was subsequently closed. The specialists voiced apprehension regarding the absence of an independent and unbiased inquiry to clarify the children's fate and ascertain any potential complicity by government officials…

The International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) has issued a Red Notice for Panamanian citizen Saúl Méndez Rodríguez, who is wanted by Panamanian authorities in connection with alleged criminal offenses, according to information released by Panama’s National Police.According to the authorities, Méndez is being investigated for the alleged crimes of aggravated fraud, criminal association and document forgery. The request was processed by Panama’s Second Specialized Prosecutor’s Office Against Organized Crime through the country’s Interpol Central Office as part of an ongoing investigation. Officials indicated that the probe centers on a purported financial scam that allegedly impacted multiple persons and organizations. Moreover,…