Note: We’ve used the Soda Stereo song title “De Musica Ligera” to describe our series of posts looking at the world of music. Today we commence another series named after another Soda song in order to highlight TV programs that have caught our attention.
One of the hottest topics during the recent Summit of the Americas was whether drug legalization should be considered as a major policy change to the “war on drugs.” With numerous Central American countries facing problems with drug-related violence, it should come as no surprise that one of the strongest regional proponents of legalization was the president of Guatemala, Otto Perez Molina.
Panamanian president Ricardo Martinelli mentioned last month that Molina’s proposal to decriminalize drugs “deserved discussion and analysis”. For years Panama has been a major hub for money launderers though there have been recent increases in gang violence and a greater presence of drug trafficking groups. Thus, Martinelli’s willingness to examine alternatives to current counternarcotics strategies could be seen as a necessity in the face of increased insecurity in his country.
Tonight’s edition of "Dan Rather Reports" examines the consequences of the global drug trade on Panama. The following very brief video shows surveillance footage captured by the U.S. Coast Guard of “souped-up fishing boats” used by drug traffickers off the Panamanian coast:
Dan Rather Reports" premieres tonight on HDNet at 8:00 p.m. ET with an encore presentation at 11:00 p.m. ET.
Video Source – YouTube via HDNet
Online Sources – InSight Crime, Caribbean Journal, The Latin Americanist
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
1 comment:
Open letter to:
President Porfirio Lobo Sosa
Tegucigalpa, Honduras
August 29, 2012
Dear President Lobo:
I am following up with this communication in good faith, in the event that you have not seen or received the open letter recently sent to you and others. I write to you again for several reasons listed below, that are as vital to you and your government as they are to me and my associates in our quest for justice.
1). Your esteem office appointed Dr. Alberto Castillo Hyde as a Pro Bono Diplomat to
Panama. Maybe Diplomat Hyde was willing to work pro Bono, since being a diplomat was a great cover to steal & move cash and drugs unfettered?
2). The rule of law questions the liability, morality, and legality of witnessing or being aware of a crime, and standing by idle and doing nothing? His United States representative Herbert E. Caswell, signed an affidavit that the $1.5 Million theft by Dr. Hyde was premeditated. Of course Mr. Caswell was a motivated participant while also attempting to enrich himself.
3). Dr. Hyde was apprehended in both Panama and Mexico, attempting to smuggle large sums of undeclared cash through security. ( You need only to Google "Alberto Castillo Hyde" ) to learn about the obvious crimes committed during 2011. In addition to the $1.5 Million embezzled from my company. Mr. President, was Dr. Hyde investigated for money laundering & Drugs?
4). On April 18, 2012, I met with Minister Counselor Norma Cerrato, at the Honduras Embassy in Washington D.C. I provided indisputable documentation of the $1.5 Million fraud by the appointed diplomat. In addition, I was advised that Ambassador Hernandez , and the Minister of Foreign Affairs was briefed on the fraudulent "Maletinazo". As of this date I have been ignored, and that doesn't please me at all.
5). I have also contacted the Panamanian and Mexican Embassies in Washington D.C., since laws were broken in both countries, and there appears to be no interest in dealing with such a sensitive matter. Mr. President, Ex-Pro Bono Hyde, obviously enjoyed special treatment, since he signed a ludicrous affidavit attesting to a $450,000 gift to the Honduran Government upon his arrest. If by some chance your government did receive the alleged gift from diplomat Hyde, it needs to be returned to my company pronto. I question if he also shared his loot with involved law enforcement in order for his release?
Mr. President, I believe it is in the best interest of your country to deal with this matter expeditiously, by apprehending Alberto Castillo Hyde, and making him accountable for his crime. 100% proof of my allegations are available upon request, in addition to the obvious facts at hand.
" The Pen is Mightier Than the Sword"
Sincerely,
Robert Shulman
Managing Partner
Sentinel Investment Group, Llc
Post a Comment