Former president Ricardo Martinelli (2009-14)whose sons are in  a Guatemala prison   awaiting an extradition hearing  following an FBI investigation  into their alleged  role in distributing at least $28 million of  Odebrecht bribery funds has once again played the  health card to stalli an inquiry into his  involvement in the scandal

His lawyer has informed the Special Anti - Corruption Prosecutor heading the Odebrecht case, that he has a new medical disability: from July 8 to July 10 issued by the same cardiologist who previously declared him incapacitated.

Martinelli originally had to appear for investigation on  Friday, July 3, but his lawyer Roniel Ortiz reported that he was disabled until July 7.That was the extension of an incapacity certificate that the cardiologist Gabriel Frago had given him, from July 1 to 3, for the New Business case , a process in which Martinelli resorted to article 25 of the Constitution not to declare.

While Marinelli was in the El Renacer prison awaiting trial for illegal wiretapping, he produced a number of certificates claiming various illnesses including, stress, depression and hypertension and heart problems and made frequent visits to hospitals, Earlier he had claimed to be suffering from cancer. On being declared not guilty in the wiretap case he became actively involved in campaigning  for posts during the last election,

The news  of his sons arrest accused of money laundering and funneling Odebrecht funds to a “high ranking” government official  during his  2009-2024 reign signs of hypertension, stress, and depression could be returning.