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Ochy, his wife and another woman were also apprehended during the police operation.

- Photo via Judicial Investigation Organization -

Costa Rica arrests former Panama presidential candidate on money laundering case

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Published on Wednesday, December 6, 2023

By the A.M. Costa Rica staff

Former Panamanian presidential candidate David Ochy was arrested on suspicion of fraud and money laundering.

Agents of the Judicial Investigation Organization (OIJ) and International Police (Interpol) arrested him at his residence located in Guapiles District, in Pococi Canton, Limón Province.

Ochy's wife, a Costa Rican national, and another Costa Rican woman were also apprehended during the police operation.

According to the OIJ, Ochy was wanted by Interpol for money laundering in connection with a case involving former Panamanian President Ricardo Martinelli.

In July Martinelli, who was sentenced to more than 10 years in prison for money laundering. The court also imposed a $19.2 million fine on Martinelli.

Ochy was running for the 2024 Panama presidential elections as a presidential pre-candidate for Martinelli's party. That immunity shielded him from prosecution in the Martinelli case, but it was revoked.

Ochy arrived in Costa Rica in September and made several investments in Limón Province, according to Randal Zuñiga, Director of the OIJ.

According to Zuñiga, Ochy also faces money laundering charges and using a fraudulent ID in Costa Rica.

The three suspects were taken before the Public Ministry, where they were interrogated by OIJ agents. Then, they must wait for a judge to impose pre-trial measures on them as money laundering suspects.

Authorities said that in the instance of Ochy, he must first face criminal charges in Costa Rica before being deported to Panama.

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