Odebrecht Case: Supreme Court rejects another appeal by former President Martinelli

Former Panamanian President Ricardo Martinelli has suffered another legal setback as the Supreme Court of Justice rejected an appeal related to the Odebrecht corruption case. Martinelli, who served as president from 2009 to 2014, is currently awaiting a sentence in the ongoing trial.

Martinelli's defense team had filed an appeal seeking to nullify a decision by the First Liquidation Court of Criminal Cases. This decision had denied requests for international assistance to summon witnesses from Brazil. These witnesses were expected to provide testimony related to the "Caja 2" fund, allegedly used for bribing Panamanian politicians in exchange for government contracts and expedited payments.

The defense argued that the court's denial violated principles of due process, including the right to defense, adversarial proceedings, and equality of arms. However, the Supreme Court, with Magistrate Carlos Vásquez Reyes as rapporteur, confirmed the resolution. This ruling upholds a prior decision by the First Superior Tribunal, issued on September 24, 2025.

The Odebrecht trial, which took place in January and February of this year, focused on alleged money laundering activities. The final sentence is now pending, to be issued by Judge Baloisa Marquínez. This latest rejection by the Supreme Court further complicates Martinelli's legal standing as he awaits the court's final verdict.