The United States ambassador to Panama, Mari Carmen Aponte, made a guarded reference on Sunday to the attempts of the sons of former President Ricardo Martinelli to be sworn in as substitute deputies of the Central American Parliament (Parlacen).

Although she was careful when referring to this issue, she indicated that " Parlacen will give the appropriate comments in due course."

Aponte pointed out that there is an "unwavering" commitment on the part of President Joe Biden's administration against corruption because it undermines democracy.

She stressed that corruption steals the resources that may be available to the people and that the communities receive the necessary education, and necessary health care, and corruption diverts those funds that are so important to solve the problems of Panamanian communities.

Aponte's statements were made during a tour in Bocas de Toro, where American doctors provide general medicine, dentistry, ophthalmology, radiology, and pharmacy services in the "Continuing Promise" program.

Last Friday, Luis Enrique Martinelli and Ricardo Alberto Martinelli failed in their attempt to be sworn in as substitute deputies, due to lack of a quorum.

The deputies will be meeting Monday at the Parlacen branch in Panama in the morning when they could conclude the swearing-in of the Martinelli Linares brothers.