FECHA: 0000-00-00 00:00:00
FUENTE: Embassy Panama
PRIVACIDAD: CONFIDENTIAL
REFERENCIA: VZCZCXYZ0000RR RUEHWEBDE RUEHZP #1485 2092156ZNR UUUUU ZZHR 282156Z JUL 06FM AMEMBASSY PANAMATO RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 0220RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 8653INFO RUEHZA/WHA CENTRAL AMERICAN COLLECTIVERHEHNSC/NSC WASHDCRUEAIIA/CIA WASHDCRHEFDIA
C O N F I D E N T I A L PANAMA 001477
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/28/2016
TAGS: EFIN, PGOV, SNAR, PM
SUBJECT: BANK SUPERINTENDENT UNDER PRESSURE TO QUIT
REF: A. PANAMA 1455 AND PREVIOUS
B. PANAMA 1291
Classified By: Ambassador William A. Eaton - Reasons 1.5(b and d)
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Summary
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1. (C) Panama's Bank Superintendent Delia Cardenas said
President Torrijos had asked her to resign "voluntarily,"
ostensibly so he could "restructure" GOP oversight of bank
and financial institutions. Cardenas also told ECON Chief on
July 27 that this was the first time that any of the three
Presidents under whom she had served had pressured her.
Cardenas' departure is particularly troublesome as it comes
as the drug prosecutor's office is in turmoil, may involve a
nexus to on-going money laundering investigations, and is yet
another example of Torrijos Administration's challenges to
independent voices in the GOP. The Ambassador has
underscored the importance independent regulatory oversight
of the financial sector. End summary.
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Background
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2. (U) As Superintendent since 1998, Cardenas has enjoyed a
solid reputation as an independent regulator. After the OECD
and other international organizations blacklisted Panama's
$45 billion bank sector for its loose controls over money
laundering, Cardenas instituted strict "know your customer"
requirements and other measures to repair the sector's
credibility.
3. (C) Noting that "you can't fight a President who wants
change," she said Torrijos was unhappy with her proposal to
exit in October upon completion of her term as President of
the Association of Supervisors of Banks of the Americas
(ASBA). She also declined his offer of some other GOP
assignment, reportedly telling him, "If I'm not good enough
for you for the Superintendency, I'm not good enough for
another post."
4. (C) In giving Econoffs a heads-up on July 24, Cardenas'
deputy, Amauri Castillo, said that Cardenas had been unable
to get another audience with Torrijos following their May 22
meeting and, in frustration, submitted a resignation letter
to Torrijos on July 17, effective the following day. He said
Torrijos immediately phoned her to ask her to postpone it for
one week. Cardenas told Econ Chief that she submitted a
second letter on July 26, effective Aug. 3. News of her
expected resignation hit the press July 27. In expressing
concern about the independence of Panamanian law enforcement
officials at a July 27 press encounter at the Attorney
General's office, Ambassador also regretted news of Cardenas'
resignation, noting the importance of independent regulatory
oversight to the financial sector.
5. (C) Without any prompting from Emboffs, Castillo
speculated that powerful Panamanian bankers may be implicated
in the Rayo Montano ("Twin Oceans") drug trafficking/money
laundering case (Ref B). He suggested that these bankers may
have leaned on Torrijos to oust Cardenas and replace her with
a more pliable appointee. (Note: The Rayo Montano case broke
open on May 16, virtually the same time that Torrijos first
approached Cardenas about resigning.)
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Comment
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6. (C) Given the turmoil in the drug prosecutor's office
(Ref A) and the possible nexus to money laundering by
high-powered bankers, Cardenas' exit comes at an unfortunate
time, particularly since Torrijos would have his chance to
fill the job when her second (and mandatory last) five-year
term expires in 2008. Post will watch closely to see whether
Torrijos' pick to replace Cardenas is an independent voice or
merely another PRD loyalist (Ref B). End comment
EATON
