Don’t Blame Panama. Tax Evasion Is a Global Problem.
No culpen a Panamá; la evasión de impuestos es un problema global/Juan Carlos Varela es el presidente de Panamá.
No culpen a Panamá; la evasión de impuestos es un problema global/Juan Carlos Varela es el presidente de Panamá.
The
New York Times | 11 de abril de 2016..
La capital panameña ha concentrado la atención mundial tras el escándalo causado por la filtración de documentos de la firma legal Mossack Fonseca. Credit Joe Raedle/Getty Images
A
pesar de su nombre, los Papeles de Panamá no se tratan solo de Panamá. Ni
siquiera se refieren principalmente a las empresas panameñas. Son más de 11
millones de documentos —que fueron hackeados de forma ilegal y divulgados la
semana pasada— relacionados con empresas registradas en el extranjero (también
conocidas como sociedades offshore) que le han dado la vuelta al mundo al
revelar la vulnerabilidad y el abuso rampante de las estructuras financieras
legales usadas por los ricos.
Han
sido injustamente llamados los Papeles de Panamá porque este conjunto de
documentos procede de una firma de abogados con sede en Panamá, pero la evasión
de impuestos es un problema mundial.
Panamá
no se merece ser señalado en un tema que afecta a muchos países. Pero estamos
dispuestos a aceptar la responsabilidad, en aras de una mayor transparencia y
porque es una continuación de las reformas que ya hemos emprendido. El mundo
tiene que hacerle frente a este problema de manera colectiva y con urgencia, y
Panamá está dispuesto a abrir el camino.
El
alcance de la información revelada es impresionante: los archivos incluyen
datos sobre más de 14.000 bancos, bufetes de abogados, corporativos y otros
intermediarios de más de 100 países, lo cual solo es una pequeña parte de una
industria mundial que alberga miles de millones de dólares.
El
hecho de que algunos puedan manipular el sistema para ocultar sus riquezas no
solo es injusto, sino que también perjudica al desarrollo global mediante el
desvío de los ingresos que podrían destinarse a la educación, salud e
infraestructura.
Contrario
a lo que reportan los medios de comunicación, Panamá no tiene medidas
especiales para el establecimiento de estructuras offshore. La asociación de Panamá
con esas actividades proviene del hecho de que solo cobramos impuestos por los
ingresos derivados de las actividades económicas dentro de Panamá, no desde
afuera, de conformidad con las leyes y jurisdicciones pertinentes. Estas
reglas, basadas en leyes de Nueva York y Delaware, se originaron en 1927 y son
comunes hoy en día. Si bien estas leyes han sido reforzadas por regulaciones
adicionales, aún pueden ser manipuladas con fines ilícitos.
Sin
duda, en gobiernos anteriores Panamá fue un objetivo para el lavado de dinero.
Hoy en día, Panamá se compromete a adoptar todas las reformas de transparencia
necesarias para satisfacer a la comunidad internacional. En los 21 meses de mi
administración, Panamá ha tomado pasos decisivos para aumentar la transparencia
y fortalecer nuestros sistemas financieros y legales. Desarrollamos una red
robusta de tratados bilaterales que permiten el intercambio de información. Las
normativas “Conoce tu cliente” han sido sustancialmente fortalecidas y
ampliadas no solo para los sectores financieros y corporativos, sino también
para las industrias no financieras vulnerables al abuso.
A
partir de enero exigimos que se certifique la identidad de los accionistas para
todas las sociedades panameñas. He anunciado el compromiso de Panamá con el
intercambio automático de información financiera y corporativa. Además hemos
propuesto procedimientos que son consistentes con los objetivos de la comunidad
internacional, incluyendo los de la Organización para el Cooperación y
Desarrollo Económico (OCDE) a través de su propuesta de Estándares de
Procedimientos Comunes.
Este
conjunto de medidas han sido reconocidas y validadas por la comunidad
internacional, incluyendo al Grupo de Acción Financiera (GAFI) que reconoció el
“avance significativo” de Panamá en el combate al lavado de dinero cuando nos
removió de su “lista gris”. La exclusión de Panamá de la lista se logró en
tiempo récord.
Desde
2013 nuestra posición en la clasificación de transparencia financiera elaborada
por la organización no gubernamental, Tax Justice Network, ha mejorado
sostenidamente. Tanto así que hoy superamos a Japón, Alemania y Estados Unidos
en esta clasificación. También hemos avanzado positivamente en una revisión de
contrapartes realizada por el Foro Global de la OCDE. Las reformas emprendidas
por Panamá, junto con otros esfuerzos internacionales, han producido
resultados. La evidencia señala que desde 2009 se ha reducido la cantidad de
compañías offshore activas.
A
pesar de los avances, aún queda trabajo por hacer para eliminar el problema de
la evasión fiscal en Panamá y el mundo. Es por ello que he anunciado la
creación de una comisión integrada por expertos internacionales que evalúe
nuestras prácticas, determine buenas prácticas y proponga la adopción de
medidas específicas, las cuales serán compartidas con otros países a fin de
fortalecer la transparencia financiera y legal en todo el mundo.
Quiero
dejar muy claro que Panamá continuará colaborando con otras jurisdicciones, tal
como lo ha venido haciendo en temas judiciales para el procesamiento de ofensas
que son ilegales en nuestro Código Penal. Seguiremos colaborando con el
intercambio de información financiera y legal al dar cumplimiento a los
múltiples tratados ratificados por la República de Panamá.
Reiteramos
nuestra disposición a establecer un diálogo con la OCDE y su Foro Global para
alcanzar acuerdos sobre transparencia financiera que pueda contribuir al
desarrollo económico de nuestros países.
Después
de décadas de dictadura, Panamá es una democracia estable. Es la sede de más de
100 empresas transnacionales y un país donde impera la ley y no el capricho
personal. En aras de fortalecer nuestra democracia debemos continuar siendo un
gobierno comprometido con la transparencia, la rendición de cuentas, la separación
de poderes y el fortalecimiento institucional. Nuestra respuesta a la crisis
actual pondrá a prueba nuestra determinación y potencial.
#
Don’t Blame Panama. Tax Evasion Is a Global Problem.
The New York Times | Juan Carlos Varelaspain
Despite their name, the Panama Papers are not mainly about Panama. They are not even primarily concerned with Panamanian companies. The more than 11 million documents, illegally hacked and released last week relating to previously undisclosed “offshore” corporations, is roiling the world with revelations of the vulnerability for rampant abuse of legal financial structures by the wealthy.
They are unfairly called the Panama Papers because this particular trove of documents came from a single law firm based in Panama. But the problem of tax evasion is a global one.
Panama does not deserve to be singled out on an issue that plagues many countries. But we are willing to accept the responsibility for fixing it, in part because greater transparency is ultimately a continuation of reforms we have recently undertaken. The world must tackle this problem collectively and with urgency, and Panama stands ready to lead the way.
The scope of the information is breathtaking: The files include information on more than 14,000 banks, law firms, corporate incorporators and other middlemen from more than 100 countries, which is just a small part of a worldwide industry that harbors trillions of dollars.
That some can rig the system to hide their wealth is not merely unjust; it also harms global development by siphoning off revenues that could be directed to education, health care and infrastructure.
Contrary to media reports, Panama does not make special allowances for “offshore” structures. The association of Panama with offshore activities comes from the fact that we tax only income derived from within Panama, not from without, which remains taxable pursuant to the laws of relevant jurisdictions. These rules, based on laws in New York and Delaware, originated in 1927 and are common today. While these laws have been buttressed by additional regulations, they can still be manipulated for illicit purposes.
Under previous governments, Panama was no doubt a target of money launderers. Today, Panama is committed to adopting all transparency reforms needed to satisfy the international community. In the 21 months of my administration, Panama has taken steps to increase the transparency and strength of our financial legal systems. We developed a robust treaty network that allows exchange of information. “Know your client” regulations were substantially enhanced and extended not only for financial and corporate providers but also for key nonfinancial industries vulnerable to abuse. And as of January this year, we require identity certification of shareholders of all Panama companies.
I have announced a commitment to the automatic exchange of financial and corporate information, and we have proposed steps we believe are consistent with the goals of the international community, including the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development through its Common Reporting Standards proposal.
These reforms have been recognized and validated by the international community, including the Financial Action Task Force on Money Laundering, which cited Panama’s “significant progress” in combating money laundering when it removed us this year from its “gray list.” Removal from that list occurred in record time.
Our financial transparency ranking with the nongovernmental organization Tax Justice Network has steadily improved since 2013, and we now rank well ahead of Japan, Germany and the United States. We have also progressed positively in a peer review by the O.E.C.D.’s Global Forum for Transparency and Exchange of Information for Tax Purposes. These reforms in Panama, along with other international efforts, have been paying dividends.
Still, more work is needed. I have announced that Panama’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs will create an independent committee of international experts to evaluate our policies, determine best practices and propose measures that will be shared with other countries to strengthen global financial and legal transparency. We expect their findings within six months.
Panama will continue to cooperate with other jurisdictions to prosecute offenses outlawed in our Criminal Code, and we will continue to exchange financial and legal information to comply with the many treaties we have ratified. We also reiterate our willingness to engage in dialogue with the O.E.C.D. and its Global Forum with respect to reaching financial transparency agreements that can further the economic development of our countries.
After decades of dictatorship, Panama is a stable democracy committed to the rule of law and the regional headquarters of more than 100 transnational companies. To fulfill our democratic evolution, we must have a government committed to transparency, accountability and the separation of powers. Our response to the current crisis will test our resolve and our potential.
Juan Carlos Varela is the president of Panama.
#
Don’t Blame Panama. Tax Evasion Is a Global Problem.
The New York Times | Juan Carlos Varelaspain
Despite their name, the Panama Papers are not mainly about Panama. They are not even primarily concerned with Panamanian companies. The more than 11 million documents, illegally hacked and released last week relating to previously undisclosed “offshore” corporations, is roiling the world with revelations of the vulnerability for rampant abuse of legal financial structures by the wealthy.
They are unfairly called the Panama Papers because this particular trove of documents came from a single law firm based in Panama. But the problem of tax evasion is a global one.
Panama does not deserve to be singled out on an issue that plagues many countries. But we are willing to accept the responsibility for fixing it, in part because greater transparency is ultimately a continuation of reforms we have recently undertaken. The world must tackle this problem collectively and with urgency, and Panama stands ready to lead the way.
The scope of the information is breathtaking: The files include information on more than 14,000 banks, law firms, corporate incorporators and other middlemen from more than 100 countries, which is just a small part of a worldwide industry that harbors trillions of dollars.
That some can rig the system to hide their wealth is not merely unjust; it also harms global development by siphoning off revenues that could be directed to education, health care and infrastructure.
Contrary to media reports, Panama does not make special allowances for “offshore” structures. The association of Panama with offshore activities comes from the fact that we tax only income derived from within Panama, not from without, which remains taxable pursuant to the laws of relevant jurisdictions. These rules, based on laws in New York and Delaware, originated in 1927 and are common today. While these laws have been buttressed by additional regulations, they can still be manipulated for illicit purposes.
Under previous governments, Panama was no doubt a target of money launderers. Today, Panama is committed to adopting all transparency reforms needed to satisfy the international community. In the 21 months of my administration, Panama has taken steps to increase the transparency and strength of our financial legal systems. We developed a robust treaty network that allows exchange of information. “Know your client” regulations were substantially enhanced and extended not only for financial and corporate providers but also for key nonfinancial industries vulnerable to abuse. And as of January this year, we require identity certification of shareholders of all Panama companies.
I have announced a commitment to the automatic exchange of financial and corporate information, and we have proposed steps we believe are consistent with the goals of the international community, including the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development through its Common Reporting Standards proposal.
These reforms have been recognized and validated by the international community, including the Financial Action Task Force on Money Laundering, which cited Panama’s “significant progress” in combating money laundering when it removed us this year from its “gray list.” Removal from that list occurred in record time.
Our financial transparency ranking with the nongovernmental organization Tax Justice Network has steadily improved since 2013, and we now rank well ahead of Japan, Germany and the United States. We have also progressed positively in a peer review by the O.E.C.D.’s Global Forum for Transparency and Exchange of Information for Tax Purposes. These reforms in Panama, along with other international efforts, have been paying dividends.
Still, more work is needed. I have announced that Panama’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs will create an independent committee of international experts to evaluate our policies, determine best practices and propose measures that will be shared with other countries to strengthen global financial and legal transparency. We expect their findings within six months.
Panama will continue to cooperate with other jurisdictions to prosecute offenses outlawed in our Criminal Code, and we will continue to exchange financial and legal information to comply with the many treaties we have ratified. We also reiterate our willingness to engage in dialogue with the O.E.C.D. and its Global Forum with respect to reaching financial transparency agreements that can further the economic development of our countries.
After decades of dictatorship, Panama is a stable democracy committed to the rule of law and the regional headquarters of more than 100 transnational companies. To fulfill our democratic evolution, we must have a government committed to transparency, accountability and the separation of powers. Our response to the current crisis will test our resolve and our potential.
Juan Carlos Varela is the president of Panama.
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