Panama also against Venezuela
Panama has taken the first step against Venezuela by publishing a list of Politically Exposed Persons (PEP). The Central American country has been another one of those that has faced the South American nation due to the angry reaction of Nicolás Maduro who recently acted in an aggressive and disproportionate way before such measure and, for that reason, a package of economic sanctions is enlisted against Caracas.
As explained to the media, Foreign Minister Isabel De Saint Malo de Alvarado, along with the list of Politically Exposed Persons, a series of reciprocal measures and actions were taken in immigration, tax and tariff matters for the 20 jurisdictions included.
Upon the publication of this list, the Venezuelan government responded with a ban on relations with senior executive officials for a 90-day period. In the list of Caracas there are the names of the president of Panama Juan Carlos Varela, the vice president and chancellor as well as the important Copa Airlines Company.
The movement of Panama could be part of Washington plans; it is evident that the Isthmus has felt very offended by the actions of Maduro, which qualify as discriminatory and exclusionary. Recently, on March, a list of countries that “segregate Panama” was approved by Venezuela. However, it is curious that days ago US President Donald Trump and American politicians were concerned about the passivity of Latin American governments when not taking sides in actions against the Maduro regime. Several, even, had indicated that there was no legal framework to establish such sanctions, so the White House offered its “disinterested support”.
The United States is trying to boycott the Venezuelan dictatorship with the help of allied countries in Latin America that act as a fifth column and in the face of international opinion show the isolation of the Maduro government. After the surprise measure of Panama, the authorities of that country quickly argued that "supervision existed and was applied, only now the Commission clarified that the extended (in depth) diligence of these PEPs should be applied," which includes the Venezuelan president, Nicolás Maduro, among other 55 employees and 16 companies. In addition, there is one elaborated by other international organizations and the UN.
The Central American country also argued that the Money Laundering Commission decided to take such action against Venezuela to clarify who are the economic partners or legal subjects with whom they will establish commercial agreements. Another of the arguments given by the Panamanian chancellery is that "the local actors asked for clarity and the commission published the list to protect the Panamanian financial platform," De Saint Malo said. According to the vice president, the decision has been made because the issue of Venezuela has notoriety and because the reaction of the government of Nicolás Maduro has no juridic or legal support.
However, although Panama has not hardened economic sanctions yet, it has urged Caracas to review the actions and measures it takes against the nation. Chancellor De Saint Malo argued that it would be very sad to make suffer the Venezuelan people for the actions of their government. She also said that they are still in contact with sanctioned Panamanian companies to assess the state of the relations and the impact to take the appropriate measures. The vice president of Panama told the foreign press accredited in the isthmus that Caracas would not retract, hardening measures, including the application of the retaliation law, would be set.
