Panama: Ecuadoran newspaper publisher offered asylum

February 21st, 2012

Panamanian president Ricardo Martinelli offered asylum to Ecuadoran publisher Carlos Pérez Barriga, one of the owners of the El Universo newspaper. Last week Pérez was sentenced to three years in prison and 26m GBP in fines for defaming Ecuadoran president Rafael Correa. Emilio Palacio, the journalist who penned the editorial that provoked Correa’s libel complaint, has sought asylum in the US. Pérez’s brothers — who are co-owners — are also currently in the United States and reportedly fear returning to Ecuador.

Spanish journalists expelled from Panama

March 3rd, 2011

Panamanian authorities have expelled two Spanish journalists who reported on a demonstration against mining law reform. Francesco Gomez Nadal and his girlfriend Pilar Chato were detained during Saturday’s protests outside the National Assembly. They were held for almost 48 hours and transferred between three detention centres before being forced to leave. They were charged with “disrupting public order”. Panamanian officials said “foreigners are prohibited from participating in all types of political activities or protests”.