Pedro Miguel González Pinzón
Encyclopedia
Pedro Miguel González Pinzón (born January 1, 1965) is a leading political figure in Panama
who was indicted by a U.S. federal court in October 1992 for the June 10, 1992 killing of an American serviceman, Sgt. Zak Hernández
, and the serious wounding of another, Sgt. Ronald T. Marshall.
In addition to serving as a deputy in the National Assembly
, where he represents the province of Veraguas for the ruling Democratic Revolutionary Party
, he served as President (Speaker) of the unicameral National Assembly from September 1, 2007, elected by a vote of 50-26 (defeating his rival Wigberto Quintero of the Nationalist Republican Liberal Movement
), until August 31, 2008.
. In early-October 2007, U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice
called the election of González Pinzón "deeply troubling" and said that "we have communicated that to the Panamanian government."
Additionally, protests came from the home of Sgt. Hernández, Puerto Rico. Official protests were issued by the Senate of Puerto Rico
and its then president Kenneth McClintock
, currently the U.S. territory's Secretary of State
, and the Mayor
of San Juan, Puerto Rico
, Jorge Santini
.
during the 1989 United States invasion of Panama
. Although many Panamanians felt Noriega's capture was illegal, many other Panamanians welcomed the U.S. action to oust a brutal dictator. Indeed, both the United Nations General Assembly
and the Organization of American States
ruled that the US invasion of Panama was illegal, despite the fact that it led to the restoration of democracy in Panama.
, Sgt. Zak Hernández
and Sgt. Ronald T. Marshall were ambushed while driving in their United States Army
Humvee on the outskirts of Panama City
(near Chilibre). Sgt. Hernández died from his wounds. González Pinzón was an immediate suspect. Three witnesses put him at the scene and others witnesses saw him in the Toyota from which the shots were fired. The Toyota was later found on his father's farm.
or Cuba
for several years. Once his family's party, the PRD, returned to power, González Pinzón was brought back to Panama in 1995 to surrender to Panamanian President Ernesto Perez Balladares
in an arrangement directed by González Pinzón's father, Gerardo González (then-President of the National Assembly and founder of the PRD party). After two years of confinement in luxury surroundings, González Pinzón was acquitted in a 1997 trial marred by witness intimidation, harassment of the prosecutor, and ex parte communications by the judge with González's father and others. All seven jurors were civil servants who owed their jobs to the PRD. Sources close to the trial cited this as an example of jury nullification
. The U.S. government and other independent observers maintain that the trial was a sham resulting from Panama's notoriously corrupt judiciary, where cronyism and influence peddling remain common. Longtime González friend and now current PRD leader and Panamanian President, Martín Torrijos
, was Vice Minister of Government and Justice at the time of González's trial.
of the firm Williams & Connolly
, perhaps to negotiate a deal in the U.S. The Dallas Morning News recently criticized U.S. Presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama
for retaining attorney Craig as a top campaign advisor.
. Only about 24% believe he should remain in place as National Assembly President.
(D-Mont.), chairman of the Senate's Finance Committee, was quoted as saying that González's election was "a serious impediment to the U.S. Congress' consideration of the U.S.-Panama Free Trade Agreement." In a November 8, 2007 press release, then Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-NY), whose 2008 presidential primary campaign in Puerto Rico was co-chaired by McClintock, said that "as long as the head of Panama's National Assembly is a fugitive from justice in America, I cannot support that agreement."
In mid-January 2008, in an attempt to break this logjam, President Martín Torrijos
"has made private appeals to his party to get Mr González to step aside before the latter's term ends in September."
and signed a Special Declaration of the Panama-Cuba Friendship Inter-Parliamentary Group criticizing the U.S. detention of the Cuban Five
spies.
In December 2007, the Panamanian National Assembly
declaring December 20 to be an official day of mourning for those Panamanians killed during the 1989 invasion by the United States. González authored that bill, which was then passed unanimously by the National Assembly. Panamanian President Torrijos, however, vetoed the bill on February 29, 2008.
In January 2008, after ceremonies in Panama marking Martyr's Day (remembering students killed in a 1964 clash with U.S. soldiers over the Panama Canal), the web site of the Panamanian legislature was hacked
. Media accounts claim a relationship between the hacking
of the web site and dissatisfaction with González.
Panama
Panama , officially the Republic of Panama , is the southernmost country of Central America. Situated on the isthmus connecting North and South America, it is bordered by Costa Rica to the northwest, Colombia to the southeast, the Caribbean Sea to the north and the Pacific Ocean to the south. The...
who was indicted by a U.S. federal court in October 1992 for the June 10, 1992 killing of an American serviceman, Sgt. Zak Hernández
Zak Hernández
Sergeant Zak Hernández Laporte , was a 22-year-old member of the United States Army who was killed in Panama City when the Humvee in which he was riding was ambushed on the eve of President George H. W. Bush's visit to Panama. His accused murderer, Pedro Miguel González Pinzón, was acquitted in...
, and the serious wounding of another, Sgt. Ronald T. Marshall.
In addition to serving as a deputy in the National Assembly
National Assembly of Panama
The National Assembly , formerly the Legislative Assembly , is the legislative branch of the government of the Republic of Panama.It is a unicameral legislature, currently made up of 71 members, who serve five-year terms...
, where he represents the province of Veraguas for the ruling Democratic Revolutionary Party
Democratic Revolutionary Party
The Democratic Revolutionary Party is a Panamanian political party. It was founded in 1979 by the General Omar Torrijos, and is generally described as a party of the centre-left of the political spectrum.-History and creation:...
, he served as President (Speaker) of the unicameral National Assembly from September 1, 2007, elected by a vote of 50-26 (defeating his rival Wigberto Quintero of the Nationalist Republican Liberal Movement
Nationalist Republican Liberal Movement
The Nationalist Republican Liberal Movement is a center-to-right, pro-business liberal political party in Panama....
), until August 31, 2008.
Reaction to the Election of González to President of National Assembly
The U.S. Government regards the June 10, 1992 ambush on the U.S. soldiers to have been an act of terror. Accordingly, the election of the U.S.'s prime suspect gave rise to immediate official protests by the United States Department of StateUnited States Department of State
The United States Department of State , is the United States federal executive department responsible for international relations of the United States, equivalent to the foreign ministries of other countries...
. In early-October 2007, U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice
Condoleezza Rice
Condoleezza Rice is an American political scientist and diplomat. She served as the 66th United States Secretary of State, and was the second person to hold that office in the administration of President George W. Bush...
called the election of González Pinzón "deeply troubling" and said that "we have communicated that to the Panamanian government."
Additionally, protests came from the home of Sgt. Hernández, Puerto Rico. Official protests were issued by the Senate of Puerto Rico
Senate of Puerto Rico
The Senate of Puerto Rico is the upper house of the Legislative Assembly of Puerto Rico, the territorial legislature of Puerto Rico. The Senate is composed of 27 senators, representing eight constituent senatorial districts across the commonwealth, with two senators elected per district; an...
and its then president Kenneth McClintock
Kenneth McClintock
Kenneth D. McClintock-Hernández is the current Secretary of State of Puerto Rico. Mr. McClintock served as co-chair of Hillary Clinton presidential campaign's National Hispanic Leadership Council in 2008, co-chaired Clinton's successful Puerto Rico primary campaign that year and served as the...
, currently the U.S. territory's Secretary of State
Secretary of State
Secretary of State or State Secretary is a commonly used title for a senior or mid-level post in governments around the world. The role varies between countries, and in some cases there are multiple Secretaries of State in the Government....
, and the Mayor
Mayor
In many countries, a Mayor is the highest ranking officer in the municipal government of a town or a large urban city....
of San Juan, Puerto Rico
San Juan, Puerto Rico
San Juan , officially Municipio de la Ciudad Capital San Juan Bautista , is the capital and most populous municipality in Puerto Rico, an unincorporated territory of the United States. As of the 2010 census, it had a population of 395,326 making it the 46th-largest city under the jurisdiction of...
, Jorge Santini
Jorge Santini
Jorge Santini Padilla in San Juan, Puerto Rico) is an Puerto Rican Politician and current Mayor of San Juan City.-Biography:...
.
Early life
Pedro Miguel González Pinzón was born on January 1, 1965 to Gerardo González Vernaza (b. April 13, 1929 - d. October 21, 2006), a Panamanian politician who also became President of the National Assembly and head of the PRD party. Gonzáles Pinzón attended the Catholic University of Santa María La Antigua (studying civil engineering) and subsequently worked for the shipping company Veemar.Political Environment Leading up to Events of June 10, 1992
In June 1992, González Pinzón and others were protesting the arrest and conviction of Panamanian strongman Manuel NoriegaManuel Noriega
Manuel Antonio Noriega Moreno is a Panamanian politician and soldier. He was military dictator of Panama from 1983 to 1989.The 1989 invasion of Panama by the United States removed him from power; he was captured, detained as a prisoner of war, and flown to the United States. Noriega was tried on...
during the 1989 United States invasion of Panama
United States invasion of Panama
The United States Invasion of Panama, code-named Operation Just Cause, was the invasion of Panama by the United States in December 1989. It occurred during the administration of U.S. President George H. W...
. Although many Panamanians felt Noriega's capture was illegal, many other Panamanians welcomed the U.S. action to oust a brutal dictator. Indeed, both the United Nations General Assembly
United Nations General Assembly
For two articles dealing with membership in the General Assembly, see:* General Assembly members* General Assembly observersThe United Nations General Assembly is one of the five principal organs of the United Nations and the only one in which all member nations have equal representation...
and the Organization of American States
Organization of American States
The Organization of American States is a regional international organization, headquartered in Washington, D.C., United States...
ruled that the US invasion of Panama was illegal, despite the fact that it led to the restoration of democracy in Panama.
Events of June 10, 1992
On June 10, 1992, the eve of a visit to Panama by then-President George H. W. BushGeorge H. W. Bush
George Herbert Walker Bush is an American politician who served as the 41st President of the United States . He had previously served as the 43rd Vice President of the United States , a congressman, an ambassador, and Director of Central Intelligence.Bush was born in Milton, Massachusetts, to...
, Sgt. Zak Hernández
Zak Hernández
Sergeant Zak Hernández Laporte , was a 22-year-old member of the United States Army who was killed in Panama City when the Humvee in which he was riding was ambushed on the eve of President George H. W. Bush's visit to Panama. His accused murderer, Pedro Miguel González Pinzón, was acquitted in...
and Sgt. Ronald T. Marshall were ambushed while driving in their United States Army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
Humvee on the outskirts of Panama City
Panama City
Panama is the capital and largest city of the Republic of Panama. It has a population of 880,691, with a total metro population of 1,272,672, and it is located at the Pacific entrance of the Panama Canal, in the province of the same name. The city is the political and administrative center of the...
(near Chilibre). Sgt. Hernández died from his wounds. González Pinzón was an immediate suspect. Three witnesses put him at the scene and others witnesses saw him in the Toyota from which the shots were fired. The Toyota was later found on his father's farm.
Return and Acquittal
Immediately after the incident, it is believed that González Pinzón disappeared to either the Dominican RepublicDominican Republic
The Dominican Republic is a nation on the island of La Hispaniola, part of the Greater Antilles archipelago in the Caribbean region. The western third of the island is occupied by the nation of Haiti, making Hispaniola one of two Caribbean islands that are shared by two countries...
or Cuba
Cuba
The Republic of Cuba is an island nation in the Caribbean. The nation of Cuba consists of the main island of Cuba, the Isla de la Juventud, and several archipelagos. Havana is the largest city in Cuba and the country's capital. Santiago de Cuba is the second largest city...
for several years. Once his family's party, the PRD, returned to power, González Pinzón was brought back to Panama in 1995 to surrender to Panamanian President Ernesto Perez Balladares
Ernesto Pérez Balladares
Ernesto Pérez Balladares González-Revilla was the President of Panama between 1994 and 1999. Nicknamed "El Toro" , Ernesto Pérez Balladares is married to Dora Boyd Preciado, with 3 daughters.-Studies :...
in an arrangement directed by González Pinzón's father, Gerardo González (then-President of the National Assembly and founder of the PRD party). After two years of confinement in luxury surroundings, González Pinzón was acquitted in a 1997 trial marred by witness intimidation, harassment of the prosecutor, and ex parte communications by the judge with González's father and others. All seven jurors were civil servants who owed their jobs to the PRD. Sources close to the trial cited this as an example of jury nullification
Jury nullification
Jury nullification occurs in a trial when a jury reaches a verdict contrary to the judge's instructions as to the law.A jury verdict contrary to the letter of the law pertains only to the particular case before it; however, if a pattern of acquittals develops in response to repeated attempts to...
. The U.S. government and other independent observers maintain that the trial was a sham resulting from Panama's notoriously corrupt judiciary, where cronyism and influence peddling remain common. Longtime González friend and now current PRD leader and Panamanian President, Martín Torrijos
Martín Torrijos
Martín Erasto Torrijos Espino is a Panamanian politician and the former President of the Republic of Panama.Torrijos was elected President on May 2, 2004...
, was Vice Minister of Government and Justice at the time of González's trial.
Subsequent Legal Proceedings
According to many media reports, González Pinzón has contracted the services of a U.S.-based attorney, Greg CraigGreg Craig
Gregory Bestor "Greg" Craig is a Washington-based lawyer and former White House Counsel under President Barack Obama. He has represented numerous high-profile clients, including John W. Hinckley, Jr., who was acquitted of the attempted assassination of Ronald Reagan by reason of insanity, and, in...
of the firm Williams & Connolly
Williams & Connolly
Williams & Connolly LLP is a prominent litigation firm based in Washington, D.C. The firm was founded by trial lawyer Edward Bennett Williams, who left the partnership of D.C. firm Hogan & Hartson to launch his own litigation boutique....
, perhaps to negotiate a deal in the U.S. The Dallas Morning News recently criticized U.S. Presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama
Barack Obama
Barack Hussein Obama II is the 44th and current President of the United States. He is the first African American to hold the office. Obama previously served as a United States Senator from Illinois, from January 2005 until he resigned following his victory in the 2008 presidential election.Born in...
for retaining attorney Craig as a top campaign advisor.
Panamanian Public Opinion
Some Panamanians, including those whose political views run counter to those of González, felt that the U.S. State Department's statement was an act of interference in Panamanian affairs. However, an October 2007 public opinion poll conducted by Dichter & Neira revealed that about 50% of Panamanians believe that González should resign, as he represents an obstacle to U.S. ratification of the pending Panama-US Free Trade AgreementPanama - United States Trade Promotion Agreement
The Panama - United States Trade Promotion Agreement is a bilateral free trade agreement, whose stated objectives include eliminating obstacles to trade, consolidating access to goods and services and favoring private investment in and between both nations...
. Only about 24% believe he should remain in place as National Assembly President.
Impact on U.S.-Panama FTA
González himself said in his September 1 acceptance speech that he would step down if his election obstructs U.S. ratification of the trade agreement. However, despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary, he continues to deny that his presence represents such an obstacle and he has shown no indication that he plans to resign. For instance, the magazine Congressional Quarterly said in October 2007: "Of the three [pending deals with Panama, Colombia, and Korea], the Panama deal had appeared to be the best candidate for passage, until the recent election of Pedro Miguel González as leader of Panama’s National Assembly." In an October 2007 article in the Los Angeles Times, U.S. Senator Max BaucusMax Baucus
Max Sieben Baucus is the senior United States Senator from Montana and a member of the Democratic Party. First elected to the Senate in 1978, as of 2010 he is the longest-serving Senator from Montana, and the fifth longest-serving U.S...
(D-Mont.), chairman of the Senate's Finance Committee, was quoted as saying that González's election was "a serious impediment to the U.S. Congress' consideration of the U.S.-Panama Free Trade Agreement." In a November 8, 2007 press release, then Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-NY), whose 2008 presidential primary campaign in Puerto Rico was co-chaired by McClintock, said that "as long as the head of Panama's National Assembly is a fugitive from justice in America, I cannot support that agreement."
In mid-January 2008, in an attempt to break this logjam, President Martín Torrijos
Martín Torrijos
Martín Erasto Torrijos Espino is a Panamanian politician and the former President of the Republic of Panama.Torrijos was elected President on May 2, 2004...
"has made private appeals to his party to get Mr González to step aside before the latter's term ends in September."
Other González Policies
González favors stronger Panamanian ties with the Communist Party of CubaCommunist Party of Cuba
The Communist Party of Cuba is the governing political party in Cuba. It is a communist party of the Marxist-Leninist model. The Cuban constitution ascribes the role of the Party to be the "leading force of society and of the state"...
and signed a Special Declaration of the Panama-Cuba Friendship Inter-Parliamentary Group criticizing the U.S. detention of the Cuban Five
Cuban Five
The Cuban Five, also known as the Miami Five are five Cuban intelligence officers convicted in Miami of conspiracy to commit espionage, conspiracy to commit murder, and other illegal activities in the United States...
spies.
In December 2007, the Panamanian National Assembly
National Assembly
National Assembly is either a legislature, or the lower house of a bicameral legislature in some countries. The best known National Assembly, and the first legislature to be known by this title, was that established during the French Revolution in 1789, known as the Assemblée nationale...
declaring December 20 to be an official day of mourning for those Panamanians killed during the 1989 invasion by the United States. González authored that bill, which was then passed unanimously by the National Assembly. Panamanian President Torrijos, however, vetoed the bill on February 29, 2008.
In January 2008, after ceremonies in Panama marking Martyr's Day (remembering students killed in a 1964 clash with U.S. soldiers over the Panama Canal), the web site of the Panamanian legislature was hacked
Hacker (computer security)
In computer security and everyday language, a hacker is someone who breaks into computers and computer networks. Hackers may be motivated by a multitude of reasons, including profit, protest, or because of the challenge...
. Media accounts claim a relationship between the hacking
Hacker (computer security)
In computer security and everyday language, a hacker is someone who breaks into computers and computer networks. Hackers may be motivated by a multitude of reasons, including profit, protest, or because of the challenge...
of the web site and dissatisfaction with González.
Announcement Regarding Not Seeking Reelection
On March 7, 2008, Panamanian media sources reported that González would not seek reelection to the post as head of the National Assembly when his term ended on August 31, 2008. He is no longer Panamá's legislative branch leader.See also
- Zak HernándezZak HernándezSergeant Zak Hernández Laporte , was a 22-year-old member of the United States Army who was killed in Panama City when the Humvee in which he was riding was ambushed on the eve of President George H. W. Bush's visit to Panama. His accused murderer, Pedro Miguel González Pinzón, was acquitted in...
- Anti-AmericanismAnti-AmericanismThe term Anti-Americanism, or Anti-American Sentiment, refers to broad opposition or hostility to the people, policies, culture or government of the United States...
- Panama Canal ZonePanama Canal ZoneThe Panama Canal Zone was a unorganized U.S. territory located within the Republic of Panama, consisting of the Panama Canal and an area generally extending 5 miles on each side of the centerline, but excluding Panama City and Colón, which otherwise would have been partly within the limits of...
- Torrijos-Carter TreatiesTorrijos-Carter TreatiesThe Torrijos–Carter Treaties are two treaties signed by the United States and Panama in Washington, D.C., on September 7, 1977, which abrogated the Hay-Bunau Varilla Treaty of 1903...
- United States invasion of PanamaUnited States invasion of PanamaThe United States Invasion of Panama, code-named Operation Just Cause, was the invasion of Panama by the United States in December 1989. It occurred during the administration of U.S. President George H. W...
- Panama - United States Trade Promotion AgreementPanama - United States Trade Promotion AgreementThe Panama - United States Trade Promotion Agreement is a bilateral free trade agreement, whose stated objectives include eliminating obstacles to trade, consolidating access to goods and services and favoring private investment in and between both nations...
External links
- Obituary of Gerardo González Vernaza from October 2006.
- Universidad Católica Santa María La Antigua.
- Financial Times article of Sept. 3, 2007.
- The Hill article from Sept. 7, 2007.
- Chicago Tribune article of December 1, 2007 about problems created by González for free trade agreement.
- U.S. Trade Representative's web site on U.S.-Panama TPA.
- Report of U.S. International Trade Commission describing proposed U.S.-Panama FTA.
- Embassy of the United States in Panama City.