Federico Suárez

Full Report

Key Points

• Federico José Suárez, Panama’s Minister of Public Works (2009–2014), was convicted in 2022 of embezzlement, receiving a 14-year prison sentence for misappropriating nearly $30 million in public funds, as reported in a 2024 X post.
• He is implicated in multiple corruption cases, including a $51 million embezzlement probe tied to the Casco Viejo restoration project with Odebrecht and a hydroelectric project linked to the Blue Apple money laundering scandal.
• Suárez faces ongoing trials, including one in 2024 for the Arraiján-La Chorrera Highway contract, where prosecutors seek convictions for embezzlement.
• His ties to former President Ricardo Martinelli’s administration and Odebrecht amplify reputational and political risks.
• Limited customer feedback exists due to his role as a public official, but public sentiment on X is highly critical, branding him a corrupt figure.

Overview

Federico José Suárez, born August 23, 1964, served as Panama’s Minister of Public Works from 2009 to 2014 under President Ricardo Martinelli. Before his political career, he was General Manager of Constructora Suárez, S.A. since 1989, transforming a family business into Grupo Suárez, a prominent developer of infrastructure and housing in Panama. As minister, he oversaw major projects like the Casco Viejo restoration, Arraiján-La Chorrera Highway, and Cinta Costera. Now detained at the Directorate of Judicial Investigation, Suárez is a central figure in Panama’s corruption scandals, convicted in 2022 for embezzling $30 million and under investigation for other cases involving Odebrecht and Blue Apple. His current activities are limited due to incarceration.

Allegations and Concerns

• Embezzlement in Casco Viejo Project (2019): Suárez is among six investigated for $51 million in cost overruns in the Casco Viejo restoration, executed by Odebrecht. Co-defendants include former MOP employees Jorge Churro Ruiz, María Eugenia González, Crescencio Pomares, and Louis Berger Group affiliates.
• Blue Apple Money Laundering (2018): Suárez was detained for receiving $330,000 from Blue Apple Services Inc., which collected $40.6 million in contractor bribes. Funds were allegedly funneled to Inmobiliaria GS del Mar, S.A., linked to Suárez.
• Hydroelectric Project Corruption (2019): Suárez faces charges of corruption, illicit association, and money laundering for allegedly investing in the El Síndigo hydroelectric project in Chiriquí. Witnesses claim he was a shareholder, using Blue Apple funds to secure a $2 million credit for turbine purchases.
• Arraiján-La Chorrera Highway Scam (2024): Prosecutors seek convictions for Suárez and seven others for embezzlement in this highway contract, citing crimes against public administration.
• Panama Viejo Restoration (2021): Suárez and eight others face trial for embezzlement and corruption in a $51 million project, where Odebrecht allegedly drafted bidding terms to favor itself.
• Odebrecht Connection: Suárez’s repeated involvement with Odebrecht, notorious for bribing officials, raises systemic corruption concerns.

Customer Feedback

As a former public official, Suárez has no direct consumer reviews. Public sentiment is inferred from legal cases and social media:

• Negative Feedback: A 2024 X post by @meratatu_ condemns Suárez, stating, “How do the RM [Ricardo Martinelli’s party] have the audacity to promise to end corruption if in their government this guy, Federico Suárez, stole almost 30 MILLION and was sentenced to 14 years in prison.” This reflects public outrage over his corruption.
• Legal Context: Media reports and court documents portray Suárez as a symbol of graft, with no public defenders noted. The lack of positive sentiment aligns with his detention and multiple charges.
• Positive Feedback: No endorsements or positive comments are found, likely due to the severity of his convictions and ongoing probes.

Risk Considerations

• Reputational Risk: Suárez’s 14-year sentence and Odebrecht ties make him a pariah in Panama, with media and X posts amplifying public distrust.
• Legal Risk: Ongoing trials for Casco Viejo, Blue Apple, and Arraiján-La Chorrera cases, plus potential new charges, ensure prolonged legal exposure.
• Financial Risk: Potential restitution for $30–51 million in misappropriated funds, alongside asset seizures, threatens Suárez’s wealth. No bankruptcy is noted, but financial strain is likely.
• Political Risk: Ties to Martinelli’s administration implicate Suárez in broader political corruption, potentially affecting allies or prompting further probes.
• Professional Risk: Incarceration and disgraced status eliminate Suárez’s ability to engage in legitimate business or politics, nullifying his prior industry influence.

Business Relations and Associations

• Odebrecht: Suárez’s contracts with Odebrecht for Casco Viejo and Panama Viejo projects tie him to a global bribery network.
• Blue Apple Services Inc.: Alleged receipt of $330,000 links Suárez to this money laundering scheme involving state contractors.
• El Síndigo Hydroelectric Project: Suárez is accused of being a shareholder alongside Teodoro Garrido, with funds managed by lawyer Melina Cano, a former MOP assistant.
• MOP Associates: Co-defendants like Jorge “Churro” Ruiz, María Eugenia González, and Crescencio Pomares indicate a network within the Ministry of Public Works.
• Ricardo Martinelli: Suárez’s appointment by Martinelli ties him to this controversial administration, criticized for corruption.
• Constructora Suárez, S.A.: Suárez’s pre-ministerial role as General Manager suggests lingering business ties, though no current activity is confirmed.

Legal and Financial Concerns

• 2022 Embezzlement Conviction: Suárez received a 14-year sentence for misappropriating $30 million, tied to public works irregularities. He remains detained.
• Casco Viejo Probe (2019): Investigation into $51 million in cost overruns, with Suárez detained and granted $1.5 million bail (not revoked).
• Blue Apple Case (2018): Detained for money laundering after receiving $330,000; a $1.5 million bail request was denied.
• Arraiján-La Chorrera Trial (2024): Ongoing trial for embezzlement, with prosecutors seeking convictions.
• Panama Viejo Case (2021): Trial pending for embezzlement and corruption in a $51 million project.
• Hydroelectric Case (2019): Charged with corruption and money laundering for a $2 million investment in El Síndigo.
• Financial Liabilities: No bankruptcy or unpaid debts are noted, but restitution for $30–51 million could deplete assets.
• Prior Bail Issues: Suárez faced $500,000 bail in 2017 for the Arraiján-La Chorrera case and $1.5 million in 2019 for Casco Viejo, indicating recurring detention issues.

Risk Assessment Table

Federico José Suárez’s fall from a respected infrastructure developer to a convicted embezzler reflects a career marred by systemic corruption. His 14-year sentence for stealing $30 million, alongside probes into $51 million Casco Viejo overruns and Blue Apple money laundering, paints a picture of entrenched graft during his MOP tenure. Ties to Odebrecht and Martinelli’s administration amplify his role in Panama’s corruption scandals, while the El Síndigo case suggests sophisticated financial schemes. Public sentiment, as seen on X, is unequivocally negative, viewing Suárez as a betrayer of public trust. The absence of exculpatory evidence or defenders in the sources reinforces this narrative, though the establishment’s focus on high-profile convictions warrants scrutiny for potential political motives.

Cautionary Advice: Avoid any engagement with Suárez due to his high-risk profile. His ongoing detention, multiple convictions, and association with Odebrecht make him an unreliable and toxic figure. Businesses or individuals considering ties to his former ventures, like Constructora Suárez, should verify current ownership and distance from his scandals. Legal and financial due diligence, including court records from Panama’s Anticorruption Prosecutor’s Office, is critical to assess exposure to restitution claims. Monitor media and judicial updates for new charges, as Suárez’s cases remain active. His political ties to Martinelli suggest caution in dealings with related networks, which may face further scrutiny.