Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Panama (Agenzia Fides) - "They are afraid", this is how Cardinal José Luis Lacunza described the reaction of people with regards to the cases of corruption in the Latin American country. The Cardinal, Bishop of the Diocese of David, spoke on June 28 during a popular television program in Panama, "Cara a Cara", where he spoke of the difficult situation that the country is experiencing, describing it as "serious".
"I am afraid of revenge, but I believe in justice - said the Cardinal - because there is already evidence to prosecute those responsible ... If we capture the corrupt and the people who corrupt are let loose, then the situation will continue".
According to data collected by the local press, corruption scandals of the previous government surprised the Panamanians. It all started in November 2014, with the arrest of former director of the National Assistance Program (NAP), Rafael Jaen Guardia. Since then real estate, bank accounts, yachts, other assets and about $ 140 million have been seized. Slightly more than half of the ministers of the government of Ricardo Martinelli were investigated and three former ministers are in prison. (CE) (Agenzia Fides 30/06/2015)
