The United States has extradited former Panama dictator Manuel Noriega to France instead of back to Panama to face murder charges – and some Panamanians are upset. But this editorial from Panama’s ‘Critica’ newspaper says that it’s better for him to be sent to Paris, because Panama’s legal system is too corrupt to hold him.
The Critica editorial says in part:
Manuel Antonio Noriega, Panama’s former dictator and strongman, now resides in the harsh French prison of La Santé. The United States preferred to extradite him to France rather than send him to Panama, where he has over 60 years of outstanding convictions on charges of murder and illegal enrichment.
Those who were victims of abuse fear that since this is Panama, if he were returned Noriega would be released within months of beginning his sentence. That’s the great problem with our institutions: Laws can be instantly reformed to serve the interests of certain people. A country with strong institutions would demand that a man accused of so many crimes be sent back to face justice in Panama.
Undoubtedly, Panama must strengthen its system of justice for rich, poor, White, Black and anyone else, regardless of status, so that they pay for the crimes they commit. When this is achieved, we’ll have strong institutions and there will be no fear of legal loopholes that favor particular individuals.
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