U.S. Revokes U.S. Tourist Visa of Ex-Panama Leader Due to Visa Irregularities

On November 26, 1999, the Panamanian daily LA PRENSA reported that the U.S. Government has revoked the U.S. tourist visa of former Panamanian president Ernesto Perez Balladares due to irregularities linked to him involving alleged trafficking of visas for Chinese immigrants attempting to enter the U.S. via Panama. Perez Balladares left office in August 1999. Accusations of irregular visa transactions have bubbled since early August 1999 when Samantha Smith, a Panamanian intelligence officer, told the MIAMI HERALD that Perez Balladares had pressured her to authorize visas for 540 Chinese citizens…[more]