News & Commentary

Offshore banking has been a way to hide money. Attached is a report that looks at how international politicians and criminals hide money in places such as Panama, British Virgin islands, and other locations. An excerpt: “The documents make it clear that major banks are big drivers behind the creation of hard-to-trace companies in the British Virgin Islands, Panama and other offshore havens. The files list nearly 15,600 paper companies that banks set up for clients who want keep their finances under wraps, including thousands created by international giants UBS and HSBC. The records reveal a pattern of covert maneuvers by banks, companies and people tied to Russian leader Putin. The records show offshore companies linked to this network moving money in transactions as large as $200 million at a time. Putin associates disguised payments, backdated documents and gained hidden influence within the country’s media and automotive industries, the leaked files show.”

Offshore banking has been a way to hide money. Attached is a report that looks at how international politicians and criminals hide money in places such as Panama, British Virgin islands, and other locations. An excerpt:
“The documents make it clear that major banks are big drivers behind the creation of hard-to-trace companies in the British Virgin Islands, Panama and other offshore havens. The files list nearly 15,600 paper companies that banks set up for clients who want keep their finances under wraps, including thousands created by international giants UBS and HSBC. The records reveal a pattern of covert maneuvers by banks, companies and people tied to Russian leader Putin. The records show offshore companies linked to this network moving money in transactions as large as $200 million at a time. Putin associates disguised payments, backdated documents and gained hidden influence within the country’s media and automotive industries, the leaked files show.”

The Chinese have a deal to dig the Nicaraguan Canal. But after much fanfare there is no visible progress, and little is anticipated in view of the costs and environmental concerns.

The pink tide of leftist governments is receding. An example is President Obama’s visit to Argentina, where he will build bridges of cooperation with the new centrist government of Mauricio Macri. The pattern is visible elsewhere in Latin America.