Panama to Auction Seized Cuban Sugar
HAVANA TIMES — The Public Ministry of Panama plans to auction off ten thousand tons of Cuban sugar under which an undeclared Cuban arsenal carried by a North Korean ship was seized last July trying to pass through the Panama Canal, reported EFE.
The auction was announced this week by Attorney General Ana Belfon, after participating in a community activity Penonomé, where the more than 200,000 bags of Cuban sugar is being stored.
Panama continues to retain the North Korean ship since last July and its 35 member crew. Of these, 32 will be repatriated, and three are facing a legal process, accused of endangering public safety, a crime that carries up to 12 years in prison.
The destination of the weapons (including missiles platforms, two Mig-21 Bis, new aircraft engines and other aircraft supplies) has not yet been determined by the National Security Council of Panama.
A team of UN experts ruled in a preliminary report that the North Korean ship violated the UN resolutions that prevent Pyongyang import or export weapons.
Yeah right. Cuba hid their illegal military shipment under sacks of sugar, in clear violation of Panamanian law and UN resolutions, but you call Panama the pirates.
What remains to be announced is the censure to be levied against the Castro regime for violating the UN sanction. It is problematic for Ban-Ki Moon to announce a censure against Cuba on the heels of his slathering of praise during his trip last week to Havana for the CELAC conference.
It’s like a scene out of Goodfellas. After the Luftansa heist all the players start turning up dead, with only Jimmy, Tommy and Henry (the top players) left .
I love it! North Korea and Cuba are caught smuggling weapons and now beg for a diplomatic solution. Thankfully, Panama has a strong President, unlike UN’s leadership, which is made up of recycled communists.
Panama es un pais pirata si hace esto..
It sure is a curious coincidence that the North Korean ambassador to Cuba, Jon Yong-jin, was executed a few weeks ago. Meanwhile in Cuba, Maj. Gen. Pedro Mediondo of the Cuban air defence force, who was responsible for those MIGs, died in a tragic car crash.
Oh, the sweet irony.