Controversial acquittal of those involved in "Panama Papers" and "Lava Jato" cases sparks international controversy

On June 28th, a Panamanian judge made a decision that has generated controversy internationally by acquitting the 28 directors and employees of the Mossack Fonseca law firm, known for their involvement in the "Panama Papers" scandal. This journalistic investigation, which came to light in media outlets in various countries, revealed how figures from around the world used this firm to hide money through complex financial structures. Judge Baloísa Marquínez also decided to acquit the defendants in the "Lava Jato" case, in which the Panamanian firm was accused of laundering money from bribes paid by Brazilian construction companies, such as Odebrecht, to officials in several Latin American countries in exchange for contracts. The consolidation of both cases into a single trial and the subsequent acquittal of the defendants have surprised many. Among those acquitted was Jürgen Mossack, one of the founders of the firm, who expressed relief at coming out unscathed from this situation, which he described as a "nightmare." Unfortunately, his partner and co-founder of the firm, Ramón Fonseca, passed away in May at the age of 71, just three weeks after the trial hearings concluded. The closure of Mossack Fonseca and the drastic decrease in the creation of opaque companies in Panama have been some of the direct consequences of this scandal. Additionally, in various countries, high-ranking officials were forced to resign and others were convicted as a result of investigations stemming from the "Panama Papers." The current president of Panama, José Raúl Mulino, has described the "Panama Papers" scandal as an "international hoax" designed to harm the country's financial system. This stance has been shared by the firm's lawyers, although they have not provided specific details about such a conspiracy. On the other hand, the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ), responsible for the disclosure of the "Panama Papers," has defended their work. According to the ICIJ's executive director, Gerard Ryle, by bringing to light hidden information like that contained in these documents, the public is provided with the necessary tools to demand transparency and promote reforms in the financial and governmental sectors. The acquittal of those involved in the "Panama Papers" and "Lava Jato" cases has sparked criticism and questions about judicial independence in Panama, as well as the effectiveness of investigations into corruption and money laundering on an international level. The controversy seems far from over and will continue to generate debate in the coming months.