In Panama, most authorities are just getting back to their desks after a three day carnival celebration. And according to news sources in that country, those authorities are looking for Moises Cal to question him about bribery and money laundering. But the biggest question down there seems to be how did Cal leave that country and when?
Reports to us are that on Saturday, February 10 he entered Panama on a Taca flight from Guatemala. New information says that he departed the following day, on the 4:10 Taca flight.
The Director of Customs has told Panamanian media that he has inquired about Cal's whereabouts with the Belize Embassy in Panama, which is headed by Ambassador Naim Musa, the Prime Minister's brother.
As we understand it, the case for bribing four Customs officers and for money laundering is being investigated by Jose Abel Almengor, the public prosecutor for drug offences. Those Customs officers remain detained, after police found one of them with US$101,000 in cash.
According to Panamanian press reports, Cal, using his diplomatic passport, had entered and exited Panama 14 times in the past three months. But his diplomatic cover was wearing thin, and at a press briefing last Friday, Customs authorities reported that he had already been the subject of investigation.
The question in Belize now is how seriously will the Panamanian authorities press for Cal's questioning, and how readily will Belizean authorities give him up.
