THE LACK of cooperation by Panama in the investigation of the Lava Jato corruption scandal in Brazil continues to rile the legal community and  civil  groups.

Lawyer Carlos Barsallo said Tuesday September  that international cooperation is a fundamental element in the fight against international financial crimes and corruption.

"We should cooperate when it is requested and ask for cooperation when it is necessary," he said. "Existing laws or procedures that work against those principles must be revised."

Carlos Lee, of the Citizens Alliance for Justice  said that Attorney General Kenia Porcell must make a formal statement clarifying the position of the Public Ministry (MP) about the claims submitted by Brazil.

"The argument has been that the request was too general. However, the reaction of Brazil reflects very poorly on the country due to the silence of the Public Ministry," he said.

"There are cooperation agreements that oblige the country to be diligent in its  response."

Porcell has still not responded to questions about the situation.

Brazil was seeking information on Panama bank accounts, allegedly used by the Odebrecht construction company to  launder money and funnel bribes.

Odebrect has received some $9 billion in contracts from successive Panama governments and City Hall.