Martinelli detained in FL on extradition warrant from Panama

Reuters

It feels like old news already, but former Panamanian President Ricardo Martinelli was arrested in Coral Gables on Monday. The US acted on an extradition warrant from Panama, where Martinelli is wanted on political espionage and corruption charges. He should have appeared before a judge sometime today.

Panama's government had requested Martinelli's extradition last September to face accusations that he spied illegally on his political rivals and intercepted the telephone calls of more than 100 people, including politicians, business and labour leaders, and critical journalists, during his 2009-14 term as president.

Just more evidence that wealthy heads of state are not immune to corruption.

It will be interesting to follow whether the Trump administration gets involved in extradition proceedings against Martinelli and El Salvador's Inocente Montano (wanted in Spain). Donald Trump is somewhat of a blank slate when it comes to Latin America and there is some room here for advisors to whisper in his ear. On the other hand, the Trump and Martinelli families have done business together.

Now, the extradition request highlights the potential conflicts of interest that have swirled around Trump: A decision that is usually made on the merits by career diplomats could be complicated by the president’s personal and business ties to Panama. Officials at the State Department could be inclined to approve the extradition, mindful of not antagonizing the current government of Panama, which exerts plenty of influence over the fate of a development that makes millions for the president’s family—or to decline the request out of their awareness of Martinelli’s support for the Ocean Club and his admiration and kind words for Trump.

Martinelli presided over the opening of Donald Trump's hotel in Panama and he sat (sits?) on the board of a bank that manages funds going from that hotel to Trump. Just a slight conflict of interest.