The International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) has issued a Red Notice for Panamanian citizen Saúl Méndez Rodríguez, who is wanted by Panamanian authorities in connection with alleged criminal offenses, according to information released by Panama’s National Police.
As stated by the authorities, Méndez faces an active investigation regarding suspected offenses involving aggravated fraud, document forgery, and criminal association. Handled via the nation’s Interpol Central Office, the petition was formally processed by Panama’s Second Specialized Prosecutor’s Office Against Organized Crime as a component of an ongoing inquiry.
Authorities stated that the investigation involves an alleged financial fraud scheme that reportedly affected several individuals and entities. The case is also connected to allegations involving former workers, while Panama’s Public Prosecutor’s Office has previously linked Méndez to investigations involving alleged money laundering, document falsification, criminal association and aggravated fraud.
The Red Notice alerts Interpol’s member countries that Méndez is wanted by Panama. According to Interpol, however, a Red Notice is not an international arrest warrant. It is a request to law-enforcement authorities worldwide to locate and provisionally detain a person pending extradition, surrender or similar judicial proceedings, subject to each country’s domestic laws.
The measure was implemented following the departure of Méndez from Bolivia, a nation where he had previously enjoyed asylum protection. Bolivian officials pointed out that his exit from the country was entirely voluntary, which meant the safeguards linked to his asylum status automatically lapsed the moment he left.
Méndez, who has served as secretary general of the National Single Union of Construction and Similar Workers (Suntracs), had sought protection in Bolivia while facing legal proceedings in Panama. He had maintained that he was the target of political persecution, an allegation rejected by the Panamanian government.
Previously, local officials in Panama had ordered the arrest and detention of Méndez as part of the ongoing inquiry. Once his exit from Bolivia was verified, authorities proceeded to issue the request for the international alert.
The case remains under investigation, and the allegations against Méndez have not been established as final convictions. The Red Notice is intended to facilitate international cooperation in locating him and, if applicable, initiating the legal procedures required for his possible return to Panama.
Source: Eco TV Panamá — Eco TV Panamá article
