August 1, 2017 

New damaging and salacious allegations involving Dominican and Panamanian politicians have emerged in connection with the Odebrecht international bribe scandal.

According to Rodrigo Tacla, former lawyer for the construction firm Odebrecht, President Danilo Medina had close links with the embattled Brazilian company. In an interview published in the Spanish daily El Pais on July 27, Tacla states that Odebrecht organized parties for politicians in both Panama and the Dominican Republic. Tacla also alleges that Odebrecht would fly over “women from Brazil” as a way to thank politicians in attendance.

The new revelations have met with silence from the Dominican government. 

Since January, thousands in the Dominican Republic have mobilized demanding prosecution of all politicians involved in the Odebrecht scandal including Medina and former presidents Leonel Fernández and Hipólito Mejía. These mobilizations are part of the Green March movement.

On July 30th, Green March organizers issued a statement saying that Tacla’s revelations represent more evidence of president Medina’s involvement in Odebrecht’s illegal activities in the country.

As of now, the impact of these new allegations by the former Odebrecht insider are yet to be seen.

You can read more of the interview here. 

Related: 

Washington Heights Joins Dominican Republic in Solidarity Against Impunity While Covered in Green

Marcha Verde: Washington Heights se viste de verde y le dice no a la impunidad