Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06PANAMA1586
2006-08-14 22:12:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Panama
Cable title:
PANAMA ORDERS ARREST OF EX-NICARAGUAN PRESIDENT
how-toVZCZCXYZ0005 RR RUEHWEB DE RUEHZP #1586 2262212 ZNY CCCCC ZZH R 142212Z AUG 06 FM AMEMBASSY PANAMA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 8741 INFO RUEHZA/WHA CENTRAL AMERICAN COLLECTIVE RUEHMU/AMEMBASSY MANAGUA 0537 RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC RHEFDIA/DIA WASHDC RHMFISS/JOINT STAFF WASHINGTON DC RUEKJCS/OSD WASHDC RHMFISS/CDR USSOUTHCOM MIAMI FL RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC
C O N F I D E N T I A L PANAMA 001586
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR WHA KIRSTEN MADISON; WHA/CEN; SOUTHCOM ALSO
FOR POLAD; NSC FOR DAN FISK
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/14/2016
TAGS: PGOV PM PREL KJUS KCRM
SUBJECT: PANAMA ORDERS ARREST OF EX-NICARAGUAN PRESIDENT
ALEMAN
REF: PANAMA 00610
C O N F I D E N T I A L PANAMA 001586
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR WHA KIRSTEN MADISON; WHA/CEN; SOUTHCOM ALSO
FOR POLAD; NSC FOR DAN FISK
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/14/2016
TAGS: PGOV PM PREL KJUS KCRM
SUBJECT: PANAMA ORDERS ARREST OF EX-NICARAGUAN PRESIDENT
ALEMAN
REF: PANAMA 00610
1. (SBU) Panamanian Judge Adolfo Mejia ordered on 11 August
2006, via Interpol, the arrest of former Nicaraguan President
Arnoldo Aleman and three of his accomplices who were ordered
to appear in court on 25 August 2006. Aleman is accused of
laundering USD 58.2 million through Panamanian banks and
businesses. The GOP froze Aleman's Panamanian assets but the
funds have not yet been returned to the GON.
2. (C) Comment: The ruling has little practical implication
since Nicaraguan law does not permit extradition. This
arrest order on money laundering charges erodes Aleman's
credibility, further tarnishes him with corruption charges,
and could further erode Aleman's standing in the Nicaraguan
political scene. Panamanian Prosecutor Mercedes de Leon, who
is also responsible for the Posada Carriles case, may view
the Aleman warrant as an easy victory with little potential
backlash and a low-cost way to burnish her anti-corruption
credentials. Embassy will continue to follow this case. End
comment.
EATON
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR WHA KIRSTEN MADISON; WHA/CEN; SOUTHCOM ALSO
FOR POLAD; NSC FOR DAN FISK
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/14/2016
TAGS: PGOV PM PREL KJUS KCRM
SUBJECT: PANAMA ORDERS ARREST OF EX-NICARAGUAN PRESIDENT
ALEMAN
REF: PANAMA 00610
1. (SBU) Panamanian Judge Adolfo Mejia ordered on 11 August
2006, via Interpol, the arrest of former Nicaraguan President
Arnoldo Aleman and three of his accomplices who were ordered
to appear in court on 25 August 2006. Aleman is accused of
laundering USD 58.2 million through Panamanian banks and
businesses. The GOP froze Aleman's Panamanian assets but the
funds have not yet been returned to the GON.
2. (C) Comment: The ruling has little practical implication
since Nicaraguan law does not permit extradition. This
arrest order on money laundering charges erodes Aleman's
credibility, further tarnishes him with corruption charges,
and could further erode Aleman's standing in the Nicaraguan
political scene. Panamanian Prosecutor Mercedes de Leon, who
is also responsible for the Posada Carriles case, may view
the Aleman warrant as an easy victory with little potential
backlash and a low-cost way to burnish her anti-corruption
credentials. Embassy will continue to follow this case. End
comment.
EATON