Pedro Miguel González Fears Extradition To The United States

By VÍCTOR ELISEO RODRÍGUEZ for La Prensa - The deputy to Panama's National Assembly from the Partido Revolucionario Democrático (PRD) Pedro Miguel González, who remains wanted by the United States of America, under indictment as a terrorist in the assassination of US Army Sergeant Zak Hernandez, said this weekend in Veraguas that he would request protection from the State if that became necessary. "If the rumor of a reward is true, then I will appeal as a Panamanian citizen for protection from the State, be it Martinelli or any other government they should provide me with protection and respect my rights," he said. González, who will no longer be a Deputy to the National Assembly as of 1 July 2009 - and therefore loses immunity - discarded the possibility of seeking refuge in Cuba or Venezuela. The pro-government spoke to leaders of the PRD in Veraguas. After losing his bid for reelection on 3 May 2009, González has avoided appearing in public acts. “No Panamanian Government, not those from the past nor those of the future, can extradite me to the United States because that would be in violation of the Political Constitution of Panama," he said. He added that the process against him is “unjust” and that he is trying to get the United States to close the case against him. (See Comments)

Editor's Comment: He's nervous. Good. I would suggest he should be most concerned about hearing the "whoop, whoop, whoop" sound of helicopter rotor blades, especially at night, and especially in the rain. We used to call this scenario the "rendition of the IC" (Indicted Criminal). The Panamanian government probably won't officially extradite him back to the US, but it's quite possible old Pedro might just wake up with a really bad hangover on a yacht one day, floating all alone off of the coast of Panama in International waters, just in time to see a US Navy vessel pulling up to offer assistance to his obviously stricken pleasure craft. Imagine their surprise when they find out it's him and head straight for Miami. There are any number of scenarios that would work, you can play along and make up a few of your own if you like. And, the best way to have the case against him closed in the United States would be to go there and face his accusers. Any chance he's ever considered doing that? Of course not, because he knows that if he did he would get assigned to the cell right next to Manuel Antonio Noriega, who's last and most famous act of defiance was to declare war on the United States (how did that trick turn out for you, Manny?) As they say, "you can run but you'll only die tired." Pedro Miguel González has had a good run, he managed to "hide" in the National Assembly for ten years but now that chapter of his life has come to a close. At the very least he's losing some sleep over this threat of a possible extradition. And I would ask this - was the extradition of David Murcia to Colombia legal? What about the release of Posada to the United States? I can almost hear the conversation right now - "Hey guys, what about this - if you pass the Free Trade Agreement we'll give you Pedro Miguel González - sound good?" Answer - done. What's next? Here's my official Panama-Guide prediction - I expect Pedro Miguel González to be in US custody within 18 months after 1 July 2009. I don't know how, when, or where it will happen, but I expect it will eventually go down. Then of course there will be much PRD wailing and gnashing of teeth, but most people simply won't care all that much, and in fact a majority of Panamanians might just be in favor. Anyway, it will happen sooner rather than later, so that any political backlash won't effect 2014 because it will be long forgotten by then. In fact, it might happen on 2 July 2009 with Pedro screaming about this "rights" all the way to the airplane.

Pedro Miguel González pediría protección al Estado

El diputado dijo que no podrá ser deportado a Estados Unidos, porque se estaría violando la Constitución.

veraguas. Pedro Miguel González insiste en que el proceso seguido en su contra es injusto ESPECIAL PARA LA PRENSA/Víctor Eliseo Rodríguez

VÍCTOR ELISEO RODRÍGUEZ panorama@prensa.com

El diputado del Partido Revolucionario Democrático (PRD) Pedro Miguel González, quien mantiene un expediente abierto por la justicia norteamericana por la muerte del soldado Zak Hernández, dijo este fin de semana en Veraguas que pediría protección al Estado si fuese necesario.

“Si fuese cierto el rumor de una recompensa, entonces apelaré como ciudadano panameño a la protección del Estado, y sea Martinelli o cualquier otro gobierno deberán darme protección para que se respeten mis derechos”, puntualizó.

González, quien deja de ser diputado el próximo 1 de julio –y pierde inmunidad–, descartó la posibilidad de buscar refugio en Cuba o Venezuela.

El diputado oficialista se lo informó a los dirigentes del PRD en Veraguas. Tras su derrota en busca de la reelección el 3 de mayo, González evitó aparecer en actos públicos.

“Ningún Gobierno panameño, ni de los pasados ni los del futuro, me puede extraditar a Estados Unidos, porque estaría violando la Constitución Política de Panamá”, sentenció González.

Agregó que es “injusto” el proceso contra él y que realiza diligencias para que Estados Unidos cierre el caso.