Anel Omar Rodríguez
Encyclopedia
Anel Omar Rodríguez was a Panama
nian politician, who served as Panama's Minister of Culture
and deputy Minister of Labor during his career. Rodriguez was considered a prominent member of Panama's governing Democratic Revolutionary Party
at the time of his death in 2009.
Rodriguez previously served as the deputy Minister of Labor, before being appointed as Culture Minister under Panamanian President Martin Torrijos
. He had also served as Panama's ambassador
to Cuba
. Rodriguez also served as the head of Panama’s National Culture Institute until his death.
Rodriguez was killed on March 10, 2009, when he was accidentally caught in the crossfire of a shootout
between robbers and security guards outside of the National Lottery for Charity in Panama City
. He was believed to be running an errand near the lottery
building when he was caught in the shootout and killed, along with a Brinks security guard. Rodriguez had just left his car in front of the lottery building when the shooting began.
President Martin Torrijos called Rodriguez, "An exemplary Panamanian, a great patriot and an excellent father." Opposition presidential candidate Balbina Herrera
blamed criminals from outside the country for the shootout, saying that Mexican
and Colombian
nationals should have to obtain visas
to enter Panama
.
Anel Omar Rodríguez was 47 years old at the time of his murder. He was survived by his wife and four children.
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...
nian politician, who served as Panama's Minister of Culture
Minister of culture
A culture minister is a Cabinet position in some governments responsible for protecting the national heritage of a country and promoting cultural expression....
and deputy Minister of Labor during his career. Rodriguez was considered a prominent member of Panama's governing 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:...
at the time of his death in 2009.
Rodriguez previously served as the deputy Minister of Labor, before being appointed as Culture Minister under Panamanian President Martin 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...
. He had also served as Panama's ambassador
Ambassador
An ambassador is the highest ranking diplomat who represents a nation and is usually accredited to a foreign sovereign or government, or to an international organization....
to 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...
. Rodriguez also served as the head of Panama’s National Culture Institute until his death.
Rodriguez was killed on March 10, 2009, when he was accidentally caught in the crossfire of a shootout
Shootout
A shootout is a gun battle between armed groups. A shootout often, but not necessarily, pits law enforcement against criminal elements; it could also involve two groups outside of law enforcement, such as rival gangs. A shootout in a military context A shootout is a gun battle between armed groups....
between robbers and security guards outside of the National Lottery for Charity in 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...
. He was believed to be running an errand near the lottery
Lottery
A lottery is a form of gambling which involves the drawing of lots for a prize.Lottery is outlawed by some governments, while others endorse it to the extent of organizing a national or state lottery. It is common to find some degree of regulation of lottery by governments...
building when he was caught in the shootout and killed, along with a Brinks security guard. Rodriguez had just left his car in front of the lottery building when the shooting began.
President Martin Torrijos called Rodriguez, "An exemplary Panamanian, a great patriot and an excellent father." Opposition presidential candidate Balbina Herrera
Balbina Herrera
Balbina Del Carmen Herrera Araúz is a Panamanian politician and presidential candidate in the Panamanian general election, 2009. On May 3, 2009, she lost the race to the presidency of the Republic of Panama to center-right candidate Ricardo Martinelli....
blamed criminals from outside the country for the shootout, saying that Mexican
Mexican people
Mexican people refers to all persons from Mexico, a multiethnic country in North America, and/or who identify with the Mexican cultural and/or national identity....
and Colombian
Colombian people
Colombian people are from a multiethnic Spanish speaking nation in South America called Colombia. Colombians are predominantly Roman Catholic and are a mixture of Europeans, Africans, and Amerindians.-Demography:...
nationals should have to obtain visas
Visa (document)
A visa is a document showing that a person is authorized to enter the territory for which it was issued, subject to permission of an immigration official at the time of actual entry. The authorization may be a document, but more commonly it is a stamp endorsed in the applicant's passport...
to enter Panama
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...
.
Anel Omar Rodríguez was 47 years old at the time of his murder. He was survived by his wife and four children.