Ernesto Pérez Balladares: Difference between revisions
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'''Ernesto Pérez Balladares González-Revilla''' (born June 29, 1946 in [[Panama City]]), nicknamed ''El Toro'' ("The Bull"),<ref name=NYT1>{{cite web |url=http://www.nytimes.com/1994/02/21/world/panama-journal-democracy-at-work-under-shadow-of-dictators.html?pagewanted=all&src=pm |title=Panama Journal; Democracy at Work, Under Shadow of Dictators |author=Howard W. French |date=February 21, 1994 |work=The New York Times |archivedate=2 September 2012 |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6APOVeUGM |accessdate=2 September 2012}}</ref> was the [[President of Panama]] between 1994 and 1999. |
'''Ernesto Pérez Balladares González-Revilla''' (born June 29, 1946 in [[Panama City]]), nicknamed ''El Toro'' ("The Bull"),<ref name=NYT1>{{cite web |url=http://www.nytimes.com/1994/02/21/world/panama-journal-democracy-at-work-under-shadow-of-dictators.html?pagewanted=all&src=pm |title=Panama Journal; Democracy at Work, Under Shadow of Dictators |author=Howard W. French |date=February 21, 1994 |work=The New York Times |archivedate=2 September 2012 |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6APOVeUGM |accessdate=2 September 2012}}</ref> was the [[President of Panama]] between 1994 and 1999. Ernesto Pérez Balladares is married to Dora Boyd Preciado, with 3 daughters. |
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== Background == |
== Background == |
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==Political career== |
==Political career== |
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In 1975, Pérez Balladares was selected by the general [[Omar Torrijos]] to be the Minister of Economy and Finances.{{ |
In 1975, Pérez Balladares was selected by the general [[Omar Torrijos]] to be the Minister of Economy and Finances.{{citation needed|date=September 2012}} |
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In March 1979, he was one of the co-founders of the [[Democratic Revolutionary Party]] (PRD). He was picked to be the Secretary of the Party in 1982.{{ |
In March 1979, he was one of the co-founders of the [[Democratic Revolutionary Party]] (PRD). He was picked to be the Secretary of the Party in 1982.{{citation needed|date=September 2012}} |
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During the autocratic military rule of [[Manuel Noriega]], Pérez Balladares served as campaign manager for [[Carlos Duque]], Noriega's candidate in the [[Panamanian general election, 1989|1989 presidential election]].<ref name=NYT1/> The opposition candidate, [[Guillermo Endara]], was reported by international observers to be leading the vote by a 3-to-1 margin, but the results were annulled by the Noriega government before counting was complete.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-156057540.html |title=Endara's Coalition Faces Difficult Test |agency=Associated Press |date=December 21, 1989 |work=Albany Times Union |archivedate=August 31, 2012 |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6ALGH89ZW |accessdate=August 31, 2012}} {{subscription required}}</ref> During the December 1989 [[US invasion of Panama]], however, Endara was certified the election's winner and sworn in as the next president of Panama.<ref name=LAT318>{{cite web |url=http://articles.latimes.com/1991-05-06/news/mn-943_1_political-party |title=Panama's 3-Party Rule Turns Into 3-Ring Circus |author=Kenneth Freed |date=May 6, 1991 |work=Los Angeles Times |archivedate=August 31, 2012 |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6AJuAQAxc |accessdate=August 31, 2012}}</ref> During the invasion, Pérez Balladares was briefly detained and interrogated by US forces for his association with Noriega, but was then released.<ref name=NYT2/> |
During the autocratic military rule of [[Manuel Noriega]], Pérez Balladares served as campaign manager for [[Carlos Duque]], Noriega's candidate in the [[Panamanian general election, 1989|1989 presidential election]].<ref name=NYT1/> The opposition candidate, [[Guillermo Endara]], was reported by international observers to be leading the vote by a 3-to-1 margin, but the results were annulled by the Noriega government before counting was complete.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-156057540.html |title=Endara's Coalition Faces Difficult Test |agency=Associated Press |date=December 21, 1989 |work=Albany Times Union |archivedate=August 31, 2012 |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6ALGH89ZW |accessdate=August 31, 2012}} {{subscription required}}</ref> During the December 1989 [[US invasion of Panama]], however, Endara was certified the election's winner and sworn in as the next president of Panama.<ref name=LAT318>{{cite web |url=http://articles.latimes.com/1991-05-06/news/mn-943_1_political-party |title=Panama's 3-Party Rule Turns Into 3-Ring Circus |author=Kenneth Freed |date=May 6, 1991 |work=Los Angeles Times |archivedate=August 31, 2012 |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6AJuAQAxc |accessdate=August 31, 2012}}</ref> During the invasion, Pérez Balladares was briefly detained and interrogated by US forces for his association with Noriega, but was then released.<ref name=NYT2/> |
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Pérez Balladares himself stood as a candidate in the [[Panamanian general election, 1994|1994 presidential election]] for the PRD, opposing |
Pérez Balladares himself stood as a candidate in the [[Panamanian general election, 1994|1994 presidential election]] for the PRD, opposing [[Mireya Moscoso]] of the [[Arnulfista Party]] and the salsa singer [[Rubén Blades]] who was then president of the party [[Papa Egoro]]. Pérez Balladares' opponents sought to emphasize his connection with Noriega, broadcasting pictures of the two together.<ref name=NYT1/> Pérez Balladares, in contrast, worked to position himself as a successor to Torrijos, who was regarded as a national hero.<ref name=WP1>{{cite web |url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-889827.html |title=Panamanians Vote in Peace, Picking Ex-Aide of Noriega; Millionaire Perez Balladares Bests Widow of Four-Time President |author=Douglas Farah |date=May 9, 1994 |work=The Washington Post |archivedate=2 September 2012 |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6APRZKv4g |accessdate=2 September 2012}}</ref> |
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==Policies== |
==Policies== |
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Pérez Balladares's government was characterized by pro-[[free market]] policies, and he included a number of free-market economists in his cabinet.<ref name=NYT2/> Under his rule, both the electric and telephone companies were [[privatization|privatized]] and, in 1997, Panama entered the [[World Trade Organization]] (WTO). His government also developed public works such as the widening of the Inter-American Highway and the construction, by Mexican companies, of two highway north and south of the city of Panama, the "corredores". |
Pérez Balladares's government was characterized by pro-[[free market]] policies, and he included a number of free-market economists in his cabinet.<ref name=NYT2/> Under his rule, both the electric and telephone companies were [[privatization|privatized]] and, in 1997, Panama entered the [[World Trade Organization]] (WTO). His government also developed public works such as the widening of the Inter-American Highway and the construction, by Mexican companies, of two highway north and south of the city of Panama, the "corredores". |
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Pérez Balladares forged closer ties with the US, agreeing with President [[Bill Clinton]] to take in 10,000 Haitian [[boat people]] at US military bases that Endara had refused to accept. He also pledged to join the US anti-drug effort and pass new laws to prevent [[money laundering]].<ref name=NYT2>{{cite web |url=http://www.nytimes.com/1994/07/21/world/washington-talk-a-panama-enemy-becomes-an-ally.html |title=Washington Talk; A Panama Enemy Becomes an Ally |author=Eric Schmitt |date=21 July 1994 |work=The New York Times |archivedate=2 September 2012 |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6APPdSa3B |accessdate=2 September 2012}}</ref> |
Pérez Balladares forged closer ties with the US, agreeing with President [[Bill Clinton]] to take in 10,000 Haitian [[boat people]] at US military bases that Endara had refused to accept. He also pledged to join the US anti-drug effort and pass new laws to prevent [[money laundering]].<ref name=NYT2>{{cite web |url=http://www.nytimes.com/1994/07/21/world/washington-talk-a-panama-enemy-becomes-an-ally.html |title=Washington Talk; A Panama Enemy Becomes an Ally |author=Eric Schmitt |date=21 July 1994 |work=The New York Times |archivedate=2 September 2012 |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6APPdSa3B |accessdate=2 September 2012}}</ref> |
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In 1998 a referendum was held to amend the Constitution to allow the President to be reelected to a second consecutive term (the Panamanian Constitution only allows a former President to seek the office after sitting out two consecutive terms). |
In 1998 a referendum was held to amend the Constitution to allow the President to be reelected to a second consecutive term (the Panamanian Constitution only allows a former President to seek the office after sitting out two consecutive terms). However, the proposal was defeated by a margin of almost 2 to 1. The eventual candidate of his party, [[Martín Torrijos]], lost to Moscoso, who received 44.9% of the vote. He left government on August 31, 1999. Martin Torrijos was elected later, in May 2004, for the term ending in June 2009. |
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Since he left office, Pérez Balladares has been suspected of illicit enrichment. |
Since he left office, Pérez Balladares has been suspected of illicit enrichment. He was identified by a former attorney general as one of the beneficiaries of a company that illegally took over operations of the government agency in charge of port and waterway services. The charges have been set aside by the supreme court, which has several members that were appointed by Pérez Balladares, and who are personal friends of his. The fact that the United States authorities have revoked his visa to the United States without providing justifications has contributed to keep alive rumours about his implications in various crimes, such as providing false passports to illegal immigrants to the United States.<ref>{{cite web|last=Rohter |first=Larry |url=http://topics.nytimes.com/topics/reference/timestopics/people/p/ernesto_perez_balladares/index.html |title=Ernesto Perez Balladares News - The New York Times |publisher=Topics.nytimes.com |date= |accessdate=2012-09-03}}</ref> Since July 2009, new accusation of illicit enrichment have erupted, Mr. Balladares being accused of having received important funds from gaming companies which were allowed to operate in Panama during his term.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.panama-guide.com/article.php/20090804171212487/print |title=Public Ministry About To Open Corruption Investigation Against Perez Balladares |publisher=Panama-guide.com |date=2009-08-04 |accessdate=2012-09-03}}</ref> |
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==Arrest Warrant== |
==Arrest Warrant== |
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On December 28, 2009 an arrest warrant was issued by the prosecutor against the former president of Panama due to alleged money laundering. On December 29, 2009 he was questioned by Panamanian authorities and invoked his right against self incrimination.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.google.com/hostednews/epa/article/ALeqM5jjVU146hHq8QQD8kZvmnIA2-CxmQ |title=epa - european pressphoto agency: El ex presidente panameño Pérez Balladares se negó a declarar en la Fiscalía |publisher=Google.com |date=2009-12-30 |accessdate=2012-09-03}}</ref> There are rumors that Ballardes tried to become a citizen of Nicaragua,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lajornadanet.com/diario/archivo/2009/diciembre/29/1.html |title=¿Ernesto |
On December 28, 2009 an arrest warrant was issued by the prosecutor against the former president of Panama due to alleged money laundering. On December 29, 2009 he was questioned by Panamanian authorities and invoked his right against self incrimination.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.google.com/hostednews/epa/article/ALeqM5jjVU146hHq8QQD8kZvmnIA2-CxmQ |title=epa - european pressphoto agency: El ex presidente panameño Pérez Balladares se negó a declarar en la Fiscalía |publisher=Google.com |date=2009-12-30 |accessdate=2012-09-03}}</ref> There are rumors that Ballardes tried to become a citizen of Nicaragua,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lajornadanet.com/diario/archivo/2009/diciembre/29/1.html |title=¿Ernesto "El Toro" Pérez Balladares busca nacionalidad nicaragüense? |publisher=Lajornadanet.com |date= |accessdate=2012-09-03}}</ref> but this was rejected by the Nicaraguan government. On January 15, 2010 Enresto Perez Balladares was give house arrest until further investigation.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.laprensa.com.ni/2009/12/30/nacionales/11718 |title="No se regalan nacionalidades" - LA PRENSA—EL Diario de los Nicaragüenses |publisher=Laprensa.com.ni |date= |accessdate=2012-09-03}}</ref> |
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==References== |
==References== |
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==External links== |
==External links== |
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{{Persondata <!-- Metadata: see [[Wikipedia:Persondata]]. --> |
{{Persondata <!-- Metadata: see [[Wikipedia:Persondata]]. --> |
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| NAME |
| NAME =Perez Balladares, Ernesto |
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| ALTERNATIVE NAMES = |
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES = |
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| SHORT DESCRIPTION = |
| SHORT DESCRIPTION = |
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| DATE OF BIRTH |
| DATE OF BIRTH = June 29, 1946 |
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| PLACE OF BIRTH |
| PLACE OF BIRTH = |
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| DATE OF DEATH |
| DATE OF DEATH = |
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| PLACE OF DEATH |
| PLACE OF DEATH = |
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}} |
}} |
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Perez Balladares, Ernesto}} |
{{DEFAULTSORT:Perez Balladares, Ernesto}} |
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Revision as of 20:01, 3 September 2012
Ernesto Pérez Balladares González-Revilla (born June 29, 1946 in Panama City), nicknamed El Toro ("The Bull"),[1] was the President of Panama between 1994 and 1999. Ernesto Pérez Balladares is married to Dora Boyd Preciado, with 3 daughters.
Background
Ernesto Pérez Balladares was educated in the US at the University of Notre Dame and the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.[2] From 1971 to 1975, he was credit officer of the City Bank for Panama and Central America.
Political career
In 1975, Pérez Balladares was selected by the general Omar Torrijos to be the Minister of Economy and Finances.[citation needed]
In March 1979, he was one of the co-founders of the Democratic Revolutionary Party (PRD). He was picked to be the Secretary of the Party in 1982.[citation needed]
During the autocratic military rule of Manuel Noriega, Pérez Balladares served as campaign manager for Carlos Duque, Noriega's candidate in the 1989 presidential election.[1] The opposition candidate, Guillermo Endara, was reported by international observers to be leading the vote by a 3-to-1 margin, but the results were annulled by the Noriega government before counting was complete.[3] During the December 1989 US invasion of Panama, however, Endara was certified the election's winner and sworn in as the next president of Panama.[4] During the invasion, Pérez Balladares was briefly detained and interrogated by US forces for his association with Noriega, but was then released.[2]
Pérez Balladares himself stood as a candidate in the 1994 presidential election for the PRD, opposing Mireya Moscoso of the Arnulfista Party and the salsa singer Rubén Blades who was then president of the party Papa Egoro. Pérez Balladares' opponents sought to emphasize his connection with Noriega, broadcasting pictures of the two together.[1] Pérez Balladares, in contrast, worked to position himself as a successor to Torrijos, who was regarded as a national hero.[5]
Policies
Pérez Balladares's government was characterized by pro-free market policies, and he included a number of free-market economists in his cabinet.[2] Under his rule, both the electric and telephone companies were privatized and, in 1997, Panama entered the World Trade Organization (WTO). His government also developed public works such as the widening of the Inter-American Highway and the construction, by Mexican companies, of two highway north and south of the city of Panama, the "corredores".
Pérez Balladares forged closer ties with the US, agreeing with President Bill Clinton to take in 10,000 Haitian boat people at US military bases that Endara had refused to accept. He also pledged to join the US anti-drug effort and pass new laws to prevent money laundering.[2]
In 1998 a referendum was held to amend the Constitution to allow the President to be reelected to a second consecutive term (the Panamanian Constitution only allows a former President to seek the office after sitting out two consecutive terms). However, the proposal was defeated by a margin of almost 2 to 1. The eventual candidate of his party, Martín Torrijos, lost to Moscoso, who received 44.9% of the vote. He left government on August 31, 1999. Martin Torrijos was elected later, in May 2004, for the term ending in June 2009.
Since he left office, Pérez Balladares has been suspected of illicit enrichment. He was identified by a former attorney general as one of the beneficiaries of a company that illegally took over operations of the government agency in charge of port and waterway services. The charges have been set aside by the supreme court, which has several members that were appointed by Pérez Balladares, and who are personal friends of his. The fact that the United States authorities have revoked his visa to the United States without providing justifications has contributed to keep alive rumours about his implications in various crimes, such as providing false passports to illegal immigrants to the United States.[6] Since July 2009, new accusation of illicit enrichment have erupted, Mr. Balladares being accused of having received important funds from gaming companies which were allowed to operate in Panama during his term.[7]
Arrest Warrant
On December 28, 2009 an arrest warrant was issued by the prosecutor against the former president of Panama due to alleged money laundering. On December 29, 2009 he was questioned by Panamanian authorities and invoked his right against self incrimination.[8] There are rumors that Ballardes tried to become a citizen of Nicaragua,[9] but this was rejected by the Nicaraguan government. On January 15, 2010 Enresto Perez Balladares was give house arrest until further investigation.[10]
References
- ^ a b c Howard W. French (February 21, 1994). "Panama Journal; Democracy at Work, Under Shadow of Dictators". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 2 September 2012. Retrieved 2 September 2012.
- ^ a b c d Eric Schmitt (21 July 1994). "Washington Talk; A Panama Enemy Becomes an Ally". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 2 September 2012. Retrieved 2 September 2012.
- ^ "Endara's Coalition Faces Difficult Test". Albany Times Union. Associated Press. December 21, 1989. Archived from the original on August 31, 2012. Retrieved August 31, 2012. (subscription required)
- ^ Kenneth Freed (May 6, 1991). "Panama's 3-Party Rule Turns Into 3-Ring Circus". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on August 31, 2012. Retrieved August 31, 2012.
- ^ Douglas Farah (May 9, 1994). "Panamanians Vote in Peace, Picking Ex-Aide of Noriega; Millionaire Perez Balladares Bests Widow of Four-Time President". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on 2 September 2012. Retrieved 2 September 2012.
- ^ Rohter, Larry. "Ernesto Perez Balladares News - The New York Times". Topics.nytimes.com. Retrieved 2012-09-03.
- ^ "Public Ministry About To Open Corruption Investigation Against Perez Balladares". Panama-guide.com. 2009-08-04. Retrieved 2012-09-03.
- ^ "epa - european pressphoto agency: El ex presidente panameño Pérez Balladares se negó a declarar en la Fiscalía". Google.com. 2009-12-30. Retrieved 2012-09-03.
- ^ "¿Ernesto "El Toro" Pérez Balladares busca nacionalidad nicaragüense?". Lajornadanet.com. Retrieved 2012-09-03.
- ^ ""No se regalan nacionalidades" - LA PRENSA—EL Diario de los Nicaragüenses". Laprensa.com.ni. Retrieved 2012-09-03.
