Cal accused of money laundering, but no charges yet
Moises Cal, the man who made news over the weekend by mysteriously quitting as the P.U.P. candidate in the Belmopan constituency, appears to have problems far bigger than politics. In an interview today with Foreign Ministry C.E.O. Amalia Mai, the government basically confirmed that the former senior diplomat–not to mention ruling party standard bearer–is under investigation by law enforcement authorities in Panama.
Amalia Mai, C.E.O., Min. of Foreign Affairs
“Moises—former ambassador Cal, who was with our ministry, as you know resigned in December after he became a political officer for the P.U.P. According to government regulations he couldn’t continue to serve. So he has resigned. As we understand it, there is an investigation going on and he has stepped down also as a candidate prior to the investigation that is going on in Panama.”
Janelle Chanona
“Can you say what that investigation centres?”
Amalia Mai
“Well there are some allegations about various issues. I think it’s an investigation ongoing and we can’t really make any judgement at this point. It’s just an investigation that Panama has embarked on and which they have notified Belize. And so Ambassador Cal on Sunday stepped down as standard bearer for Belmopan.”
Janelle Chanona
“Is it true that authorities there have been in contact with law enforcement authorities here to detain him pending charges? Has it gone to that extent and does it concern money laundering?”
Amalia Mai
“As I said, there were some allegations that have been made against Moises Cal. My information is that we have been talking to the ministry of Panama. There is no extradition treaty between Belize and Panama. Panama, up until this morning as I understand it, has not requested anything else from Belize except raising some questions about the diplomatic passport, which ambassador Cal I know has already handed back to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.”
Janelle Chanona
“And when did he do that?”
Amalia Mai
“This morning, this morning.”
As to the exact misdeeds allegedly committed by Cal, at this point, without official confirmation from Panama, we can only say that they involve an attempt or attempts to bring large quantities of U.S. cash into Panama from Belize. If this is true, then the obvious question is: whose cash? For the last two days News Five has attempted unsuccessfully to reach Cal at his home. Sources close to the former diplomat quote him as proclaiming his innocence, that he is the victim of corrupt Panamanian customs officials and he has retained legal counsel there to fight any charges which may emerge. If this is the case, it would not explain why Cal abandoned his electoral bid or why he has declined to tell his story to the public. As for the political repercussions of Cal’s troubles, it appears that the P.U.P. has for the first time actually tried to get out front on an issue and display a certain amount of what passes for candour. It must be remembered, however, that Cal never was a particular favourite of the party hierarchy, which has consistently backed Tony Chanona for the Belmopan nomination. It is understood that the P.U.P. Belmopan committee is trying to come up with a replacement candidate, but so far has had little success.
