THE LONG  awaited request  for the extradition of former Panama president. Ricardo Martinellli has been submitted to the United States.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs presented the request and the  formal notification was sent Monday, September 26, to the United States Department of State by the Panama embassy in Washington.

The extradition request, which was made by the Supreme Court, included a request for the provisional arrest of the former president, who is believed to be living in Miami.

The documentation submitted in Washington also included responses to numerous attempts by a battery of  Martinelli's  defense attorneys to block the extradition.

The request now has to be reviewed by U.S. officials.

Martinelli is facing charges in Panama of ordering illegal surveillance while in office.

He is also facing multiple corruption allegations.