Ricardo Martinelli, who served as president of Panama from 2009 to 2014, was sentenced to 10 years and six months in prison for money laundering. In addition, he was fined $19,221,600.48 for the case known as "New Business."
Martinelli, who aspires to return to govern Panama in 2024 at the age of 71, posted a video on his Twitter account in which he reaffirms his innocence and argues that the sentence is a conviction for "political interests":
We all know that they want to condemn me for political interests. I am innocent. All my contributed money is legal and has been proven. I have no relationship whatsoever with illicit money. What they want is to disqualify me, they don't want me to be your president. I want you to know something: I will continue to fight for you and your family until I am president of Panama again.
Mi respuesta al fallo político hecho público hoy . pic.twitter.com/vR4sm3S7XC
— Ricardo Martinelli (@rmartinelli) July 18, 2023
His lawyer, Carlos Carrillo, guaranteed that Martinelli's candidacy for the 2024 presidential elections "is solid," in a statement reported by Reuters, in addition to affirming that they will appeal the sentence.
Banned from entering the United States
Earlier this year, the United States banned Martinelli from entering the country for being implicated in corruption cases, according to Secretary of State Anthony Blinken.
The United States is committed to imposing costs on corrupt officials who undermine democracy and the rule of law. Today we announce the designation of former Panamanian President Ricardo Alberto Martinelli Berrocal for his involvement in significant corruption.
— Secretary Antony Blinken (@SecBlinken) January 26, 2023
