Panama puts Venezuela's president on money laundering watch

PANAMA CITY – Panama has placed Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and other top officials on a watch list for money laundering.

The National Commission Against Money Laundering published a resolution naming 55 people and 16 Venezuelan companies "considered high risk for money laundering" and financing terrorism.

Panama's Economy and Finance Ministry explained in a statement that the resolution heightens due diligence over the people and entities on the list.

Also among those named were Diosdado Cabello, a powerful official of the ruling socialist party, chief prosecutor Tarek William Saab, and various government ministers.

The move follows financials sanctions imposed by the United States against members of Maduro's government.

The Venezuelan embassy in Panama did not immediately return calls for comment Friday.