Last night we replayed a 1998 interview with Ralph Fonseca where he said that he was part of a group that helped to get Panamanian President Ernesto Balldarez elected.
Well that's just the start of a long story. Balladarez himself would later get involved in money laundering accusations. In 1996, the New York Times reported that Balladares admitted that the Colombian Cali Cartel contributed to his 1994 campaign. The United States would also later accuse Balladarez of selling visas to Chinese nationals trying to get into the USA.
And what about Alfredo Oranges, the Panamanian politician that President Balladarez had tried to smear with money laundering allegations in 1998? Oranges was never charged and vehemently denied the claim. He is presently suing the Panamanian government for $48 million for damages associated with that claim.
Also in big legal trouble is Jorge Mottley, the intelligence boss who was investigating Oranges. In 1998, Mottley was the source the PUP quoted to say that Ralph Fonseca was clear of any suspicion of involvement in laundering activities.
