David Panuelo Explained

Honorific-Prefix:His Excellency
Office1:9th President of the Federated States of Micronesia
Vicepresident1:
Term Start1:May 11, 2019
Term End1:May 11, 2023
Predecessor1:Peter M. Christian
Successor1:Wesley Simina
Birth Date:13 April 1963
Spouse:Patricia Edwin
Children:5[1]

David W. Panuelo (born April 13, 1963)[2] is a Micronesian politician who served as the president of the Federated States of Micronesia from 2019 to 2023.[3]

Biography

Panuelo was born on the island of Pohnpei, where he completed much of his early education. He went to college in the United States, earning a BA in political science from Eastern Oregon University in 1987.[4]

In 1988 he was appointed as the deputy ambassador for the Micronesian embassy in Fiji where he served until 1993. In 1993 he was appointed to serve at the Micronesian Mission to the United Nations, a position he held until 1996. In 1997, Panuelo was named the director of the Department of Resource Management and Development for the State of Pohnpei, a position he held until 2001.[4]

From 2003 to 2010, Panuelo resigned from government work to work in the private business sector. On May 11, 2011, Panuelo was elected as a two-year Senator from Pohnpei State’s Congressional District Three. He was re-elected unopposed in both 2013 and 2015. In 2019 Panuelo was elected as president of Micronesia.[4] In his inauguration address, President Penuelo's central theme was "Taking Actions Today for Our Nation’s Prosperity Tomorrow."[5] He further committed that "the Panuelo-George administration will be transparent, open, and accountable."[5]

The couple have five children and seven grandchildren.[4]

Presidency (2019–2023)

Positions on China–United States relations

Though the US provides for Micronesia's defense and security, and provides "a substantial percentage of the FSM national and state governments’ budget expenditures" in the form of annual economic assistance, President Panuelo has been outspoken in his support for China.[6] [7] In March 2022 Panuelo characterized China, with its de facto one-party state status, "as paragon examples of peace, friendship, cooperation, and love in our common humanity."[8] President Panuelo has characterized himself as "a sincere friend of China" and the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) as "our very dear Chinese friends."[9] [10] The Panuelo administration has also sought to "strengthen and renew its relations with the People and Government of Cuba" and the President has called for an end to the United States embargo against Cuba.[11] In response to a meeting between United States President Joe Biden and Xi Jinping, General Secretary of the Chinese Communist Party, President Panuelo declared that individual Americans needed to participate in "genuine People-to-People engagement" themselves. Panuelo claimed such engagement would convince US citizens of how "the Chinese People are adept at demonstrating peace, friendship, cooperation, and love in our common humanity."[12] His opinions on China appear to have cooled after this, however, as after his ouster in the 2023 Micronesian parliamentary election a 13-page letter was revealed in which he heavily criticized the CCP and accused it of "political warfare," claiming that “China is seeking to ensure that, in the event of a war in our Blue Pacific continent between themselves and Taiwan, that the FSM is, at best, aligned with the PRC (China) instead of the United States, and, at worst, that the FSM chooses to ‘abstain’ altogether,” and that he had considered switching diplomatic relations to Taiwan. As of 2023, Micronesia is the only one out of the three former US trust territories that recognizes the PRC over Taiwan.[13] [14]

In contrast to his laudatory comments about China, and the CCP, President Panuelo has alternatively sought to emphasize long standing defense agreements when speaking with American audiences, noting specifically that "the United States regards our country as part of the homeland, and we regard ourselves as part of the homeland."[15] This "homeland" reference is based on the fact that "the United States has full authority and responsibility for defense and security matters in and relating to the FSM."[16] Further comments by the President, as expansion of US financial assistance continued, alluded to the large number of Micronesian citizens within the US military, with Panuelo noting that "our Micronesian men and women die for the same freedoms as any other American in the U.S. Armed Forces"[17]

Travel during nationwide COVID lockdown

Through the use of National Declarations and Executive Orders, President Panuelo kept the nation of Micronesia closed for two and a half years during the COVID-19 pandemic.[18] [19] [20] The large number of Micronesians stranded outside the nation faced enormous financial and emotional challenges.[21] Ultimately, only a handful of Micronesian already abroad were able to return to the country, and they were subjected to strict quarantine and isolation protocols.[22] [23]

President Panuelo himself traveled extensively during this period to and from the Federated States of Micronesia, including visits to Guam, Hawaii, Washington DC, Oregon, New York, and Fiji.[24] [25] [26] [27] [28] [29] He also traveled within the FSM, to the States of Yap and Kosrae, transiting through Guam enroute.[30] [31] At no point did he stay in a designated and mandated quarantine facility upon return to Micronesia but rather the President “quarantined at home,” and in at least one instance he departed on an additional international trip during the designated quarantine period.[32]

Solomon sex trafficking scandal

President David Panuelo's chief economist, Robert Solomon, was arrested in late 2021 and charged with multiple counts of solicitation, sexual abuse, human trafficking, prostitution and kidnapping.[33] [34] Solomon was arrested in his home in Dolonier village, along with an alleged conspirator, over allegations they forced three teenage girls into prostitution.[35] President Panuelo and his wife also reside in Dolonier, a small village within the municipality of Nett.[36]

President Panuelo, who had described human trafficking as “the elephant in our proverbial room,” explained in a public statement following Solomon’s arrest that “what I want to make clear is that the Government, which is people, is imperfect.”[37] [38]

In 2017, when Panuelo was serving as a member of Congress, he took a point of personal privilege, standing to address the chamber and praise Solomon. Panuelo explained to fellow legislators at the time that Solomon was "a good neighbor of mine." and "our Economist who is helping us in many ways."[39] Then-Congressman Panuelo was serving as chair of the Resources and Development Committee, which holds oversight responsibilities for the FSM Department of Finance, where Solomon was formally based.

Once elected, President, Panuelo nominated Rob Solomon to serve as his Secretary for the Department of Transportation, Communications and Infrastructure.[40] The appointment of Solomon, a citizen of New Zealand, to lead a Micronesian federal agency spurred questions during confirmation hearings.[41] In the fall of 2019 the Micronesian Congress defeated Panuelo’s nomination of Solomon to serve as a cabinet secretary.[42] Despite the defeat of the nomination, Solomon continued to advise and serve President Panuelo and his administration, often speaking or answering questions along side, or in place of, President Panuelo, the Vice President or agency secretaries in the months leading up to his arrest.[43] [44] [45] [46] [47]

References

  1. Web site: Profile. David Panuelo . profilpelajar.com . May 10, 2023.
  2. Web site: Micronesia. www.worldstatesmen.org.
  3. Web site: His Excellency David W. Panuelo, President of the Federated States of Micronesia . May 18, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190517112530/https://pio.gov.fm/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=427:his-excellency-david-w-panuelo-president-of-the-federated-states-of-micronesia&catid=138:news-and-updates&Itemid=2772 . May 17, 2019 . dead.
  4. Web site: H. E. David W. Panuelo – Biography. FSM National Government. December 4, 2020.
  5. Web site: Panuelo . David W . State of the Nation Address . FSM Public Information Office . National Government of the FSM . March 14, 2022 . May 20, 2020.
  6. Web site: Compacts of Free Association:: Implications of Planned Ending of Some U.S. Economic Assistance . US GAO . US Government Accountability Office . March 28, 2022 . 28 . English . February 14, 2022 . "U.S. assistance provides a substantial percentage of the FSM national and state governments’ budget expenditures for programs. Compact grants, the SEG, and other U.S. grants—about $83 million in total— supported more than one-third of FSM national and state government expenditures in FY 2019".
  7. Web site: David W. Panuelo . President Panuelo's Statement at the China-Pacific Island Countries Political Leadership Dialogue . FSM National Government . FSM Public Information Office . March 28, 2022 . May 28, 2021 . "The Federated States of Micronesia applauds the hard work and vision of H.E. Xi Jinping, T.H. Li Keqiang, and the People of China, for their accomplishments and their continued commitment to global prosperity.".
  8. News: FSM asks China to back calls for Russia's withdrawal from Ukraine . March 28, 2022 . Pacific Island Times . Pacific Independent News Service LLC . March 28, 2022 . web and print . " The Chinese, as paragon examples of peace, friendship, cooperation, and love in our common humanity, I believe can and should rise to the occasion to call for the cessation of hostilities," Panuelo said..
  9. News: Xi Jinping Holds Talks with President David W. Panuelo of the Federated States of Micronesia . April 1, 2022 . Media Release, PRC Foreign Affairs . Ministry of Foreign Affairs . People's Republic of China . December 13, 2019.
  10. News: Cagurangan . Mar-Vic . Panuelo holds the door wide open for Beijing, offers FSM as a transshipment hub for China's goods . April 1, 2022 . Pacific Island TImes . Pacific Independent News Service . May 29, 2021.
  11. Web site: Richard Clark . Relations between the Federated States of Micronesia & the Republic of Cuba Strengthened & Renewed; Secretary Elieisar & Foreign Minister Parilla Agree to Enhance FSM-Cuba Bilateral Relations . Office of the President, FSM . FSM Public Information Office . September 29, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220929184923/https://gov.fm/index.php/component/content/article/35-pio-articles/news-and-updates/649-relations-between-the-federated-states-of-micronesia-the-republic-of-cuba-strengthened-renewed-secretary-elieisar-foreign-minister-parilla-agree-to-enhance-fsm-cuba-bilateral-relations?Itemid=177 . September 29, 2022 . Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia . September 25, 2022.
  12. Web site: Richard Clark . The Federated States of Micronesia Congratulates the United States of America & the People's Republic of China for the Resumption of Climate Change Cooperation Talks; "Dialogue Essential for Peace," President Panuelo Says . Public Information Office . National Government of the Federated States of Micronesia . November 15, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221115054333/https://gov.fm/index.php/component/content/article/35-pio-articles/news-and-updates/680-the-federated-states-of-micronesia-congratulates-the-united-states-of-america-the-people-s-republic-of-china-for-the-resumption-of-climate-change-cooperation-talks-dialogue-essential-for-peace-president-panuelo-says?Itemid=177 . November 15, 2022 . Internet Archive . November 15, 2022 . "...I believe that it is in the interest of peace and stability, in the Indo-Pacific at large and the Blue Pacific Continent specifically, for more Americans to experience and know that China is not a monolith, and that the Chinese People are adept at demonstrating peace, friendship, cooperation, and love in our common humanity...".
  13. Web site: Gan . Angus Watson,Nectar . 2023-03-10 . Outgoing president of Micronesia accuses China of bribery, threats and 'political warfare' . 2023-07-06 . CNN . en.
  14. News: Needham . Kirsty . 2023-03-10 . Pacific's Micronesia in talks to switch ties from Beijing to Taiwan- letter . en . Reuters . 2023-07-06.
  15. Web site: Hunt . Edward . The American Empire Runs Through the Compact States . Counter Punch . October 24, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221022000145/https://www.counterpunch.org/2022/10/20/the-american-empire-runs-through-the-compact-states/ . 22 October 2022 . Internet Archive . October 20, 2022.
  16. Web site: U.S. Relations With the Federated States of Micronesia, Bilaterial Relations Fact Sheet . US State Department . October 24, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221023083438/https://www.state.gov/u-s-relations-with-the-federated-states-of-micronesia/ . October 23, 2022 . Internet Archive . October 21, 2021.
  17. News: US asked not to micromanage FSM . November 8, 2022 . Pacific Island Times . Pacific Independent News Service LLC. . November 8, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221108153320/https://www.pacificislandtimes.com/post/us-asked-not-to-micromanage-fsm . November 8, 2022 . Internet Archive . “The compact isn’t a charity but a fair trade between two completely sovereign nations with the closest alliance that can never be found elsewhere, as our Micronesian men and women die for the same freedoms as any other American in the U.S. Armed Forces,” Panuelo said..
  18. Book: Campbel . Yonique . COVID in the Islands: A comparative perspective on the Caribbean and the Pacific . 2021 . Palgrave MacMillan . 978-9811652844 . 183–184 . First . March 8, 2023.
  19. Web site: Clark . David . President Panuelo SignsNational Declaration Placing the Entire Federated States of Micronesia under a State of National Public Health Emergency in Connection with the COVID-19 Pandemic; Former Declaration Revoked, Travel Restrictions Reinstated . FSM PIO . FSM Public Information Officer . March 8, 2023 . Palikir, Pohnpei . March 14, 2020.
  20. News: Admin . Panuelo: 'I cannot keep our borders closed any longer' . March 8, 2023 . Pacific Island Times . June 22, 2022.
  21. News: Hofschneider . Anita . Pacific Islanders Can't Return Home During COVID-19 — Even To Bury Their Loved Ones . 8 March 2023 . Pierre Omidyar . November 19, 2020.
  22. News: Cagurangan . Mar-Vic . Covid surge on Guam prompts FSM to pause repatriation of stranded citizens . March 8, 2023 . Pacific Island Times . February 7, 2022 . Pacific Independent News Service LLC.
  23. Web site: Clark . Richard . On the Occasion of the Medical Clearance of the Crew of the MV Chief Mailo As Delivered . FSM Public Information Office . March 8, 2023 . January 27, 2021.
  24. Web site: Guerrero . Phill Leon . Admiral: FSM buildup won't result in 'permanent' basing . Guam Daily Post . March 8, 2023 . March 26, 2022.
  25. Web site: FSMPublic Information . President Panuelo Arrives in Hawaii, Meets with T.H. David Y. Ige Prior to FSM-US Defense Talks . FSM Public Information Office . March 8, 2023 . July 16, 2021.
  26. News: FSM's president throws first pitch for Washington Nationals . March 8, 2023 . April 21, 2022.
  27. News: FSM CONSULATE OPENING IN PORTLAND . March 8, 2023 . Living Islands . April 24, 2022.
  28. Web site: Micronesia - President Addresses General Debate, 77th Session . United Nations TV . United Nations . March 8, 2023 . New York, NY . September 22, 2022.
  29. News: MATSUMOTO . FUMI . Micronesia president frets over China's regional security goals . March 8, 2023 . Nikkei Asia . July 13, 2022.
  30. News: Jackson . Skiller . Kosrae State 2021 Island Trade Fair . March 8, 2023 . 2 . January 2022 . 17 . 6.
  31. News: Admin . US eyes Yap for regional defense plans . 8 March 2023 . Pacific Island Times . February 27, 2022.
  32. Web site: ENGINKEHLAP 9-22 News . Office of the Governor, Pohnpei State, FSM . March 8, 2023 . Pohnpei, FSM . June 12, 2022.
  33. News: Panuelo's economic consultant arrested over sex trafficking charges . November 9, 2022 . Pacific Island Times . Pacific Independent News Service LLC . December 20, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220519150617/https://www.pacificislandtimes.com/post/panuelo-s-economic-consultant-arrested-over-sex-trafficking-charges . May 19, 2022 . Internet Archive.
  34. News: Bill Jaynes . Two arrested in Pohnpei including an FSM consultant, on multiple charges related to human trafficking . November 9, 2022 . Kaselehlie Press . 25 . December 15, 2021 . 21 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221109175645/https://issuu.com/kpressfsm/docs/kpress_vol21_iss_25_-_15_dec_21 . November 9, 2022 . 1.
  35. News: NZ man facing child trafficking charges in Federated States of Micronesia . November 9, 2022 . 1News . New Zealand’s state-owned, commercially funded broadcaster . TVNZ . March 30, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221109165140/https://www.1news.co.nz/2022/03/30/nz-man-facing-child-trafficking-charges-in-federated-states-of-micronesia/ . November 9, 2022.
  36. Web site: List of Contact People and Possible Consultants for Stockholm Convention National Implementation Plans in the Pacific Region . Stockholm Conventions . United Nations . November 9, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221109165731/http://chm.pops.int/Portals/0/docs/from_old_website/documents/guidance/contactSCPacific_reg.htm . November 9, 2022 . Internet Archive . "Janet S Panuelo, Conservation Society of Pohnpei, Pohnpei Women’s Advisory Council, Dolonier, Nett".
  37. Web site: 2nd Annual Anti-Human Trafficking Conference Addresses Whole Community Prevention & Response to Human Trafficking; President Panuelo Authorize DOJ to "Protect Victims & Prosecute Perpetrators to the Fullest Extent of the Law" . FSM Public Information Office . National Government, Federated States of Micronesia . November 9, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221109170059/https://gov.fm/index.php/fsm-publicinfo/announcements/35-pio-articles/news-and-updates/365-2nd-annual-anti-human-trafficking-conference-addresses-whole-community-prevention-response-to-human-trafficking-president-panuelo-authorize-doj-to-protect-victims-prosecute-perpetrators-to-the-fullest-extent-of-the-law . November 9, 2022 . Internet Archive . “I don’t say this to be shocking. I say this so as to point out that the elephant in our proverbial room is that human trafficking, in the form of prostitution, as well as in the forms of child labor and wage slavery, are genuinely real in our islands—and we know it is true, even if it is deeply uncomfortable to acknowledge it, because to say so is to confront it..
  38. Web site: The National Government's Response to Allegations & Charges Regarding its Macroeconomist Consultant . FSM Public Information Office . National Government, Federated States of Micronesia . November 9, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220708230632/https://gov.fm/index.php/component/content/article/35-pio-articles/news-and-updates/563-the-national-government-s-response-to-allegations-charges-regarding-its-macroeconomist-consultant?Itemid=177 . July 8, 2022 . December 20, 2021 . “The first main idea I want to make clear is that the children of our country cannot be exploited by any person or organization. The second main idea I want to make clear is that the Government, which is people, is imperfect; we need your help, the People of the FSM, in gathering information, so that we can take the right action for our country..
  39. Web site: Journal, 2nd Regular Session, 20th Congress . Congress of the Federated States of Micronesia . National Government, Federated States of Micronesia . November 9, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20191030025855/http://www.cfsm.gov.fm/ifile/Journals/20th_2nd_RS_Journal.pdf . October 30, 2019 . 85–86 . We also have Mr. Rob Solomon, our Economist who is helping us in many ways. He is a good neighbor of mine. Can we give him a round of recognition? (Applause).
  40. Web site: C.R. NO. 21-59; Resolution confirm the nomination of Mr. Rob Solomon . Congress of Micronesia . National Government, Federated States of Micronesia . November 9, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220822062423/https://cfsm.gov.fm/ifile/21%20congress/RESOLUTIONS/CR_21-59.pdf . August 22, 2022 . September 13, 2019.
  41. Web site: Standing Committee Report NO. 21-28 . Congress of the Federated States of Micronesia . National Government, Federated States of Micronesia . November 9, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220822062425/https://cfsm.gov.fm/ifile/21%20congress/SCR/SCR_No__21-28.pdf . August 22, 2022 . September 23, 2019 . Committee also asked the nominee if there are other locals that are capable to take the job. The nominee reserved to answer the question, and indicated that the nomination is a prerogative of the President.
  42. Web site: Congress approves national budget and certain nominations . Congress of the Federated States of Micronesia . National Government, Federated States of Micronesia . November 9, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221109172235/https://www.cfsm.gov.fm/index.php/public-info/this-week-in-congress/427-congress-approves-national-budget-and-certain-nominations . November 9, 2022.
  43. Web site: Economic Impacts of COVID-19 Related Travel Restrictions Discussed During Committee to Wait on the President . FSM Public Information Office . National Government, Federated States of Micronesia . November 9, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220712233317/https://gov.fm/index.php/component/content/article/35-pio-articles/news-and-updates/280-economic-impacts-of-covid-19-related-travel-restrictions-discussed-during-committee-to-wait-on-the-president . July 12, 2022 . March 6, 2020 . “The Executive [Branch] is aware of the negative impacts on the Nations economy,” Vice President George replied, followed by requesting Rob Solomon, Macroeconomic Advisor to the FSM, to describe in detail how the FSM is tackling the economic impacts..
  44. Web site: President Panuelo Hands Over Three Million Dollars to the FSM Development Bank for Small/Micro Enterprise Loans . FSM Public Information Office . National Government, Federated States of Micronesia . November 9, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220621124148/https://fsmgov.org/fsmun/pubheal42.pdf . June 21, 2022 . March 5, 2021 . Pictured Above (L→R): Mr. Rob Solomon, the FSM’s Macroeconomist; T.H. Eugene Amor, Secretary of Finance & Administration; Ms. Anna Mendiola, President and CEO of the FSM Development Bank; H.E. David W. Panuelo, President of the FSM.
  45. Web site: Pre-Quarantine Prior to Repatriation in FSM, Expanding Economic Stimulus to More Businesses, and Expanding Unemployment Aid to Non-Citizens Discussed in Committee to Wait on the President . FSM Public Information Office . National Government, Federated States of Micronesia . November 9, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220701035926/https://gov.fm/index.php/component/content/article/35-pio-articles/news-and-updates/346-pre-quarantine-prior-to-repatriation-in-fsm-expanding-economic-stimulus-to-more-businesses-and-expanding-unemployment-aid-to-non-citizens-discussed-in-committee-to-wait-on-the-president . July 1, 2022 . August 18, 2020 . “Some of the checks may seem a bit slow in going out but that is because we have procedures to follow,” added Mr. Rob Solomon, the Nation’s macroeconomist.....
  46. Web site: FSM Delegation in D.C. for IMF and World Bank Annual Meetings . Department of Finance and Administration (DOFA) . National Government, Federated States of Micronesia . November 9, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220626075429/https://dofa.gov.fm/fsm-delegation-in-d-c-for-imf-and-world-bank-annual-meetings/ . June 26, 2022 . October 24, 2019 . Head of Delegation Amor was assisted at the meetings by Acting Secretary of Finance Senny Phillip, Ms. Julyn Lawrence from the International Finance Division, and Mr. Rob Solomon.
  47. Web site: FSM National Government Expands Tourism Sector Mitigation Fund to More Types of Businesses; Public & Private Sector Cooperation Essential to Economic Recovery, Businesses Encouraged to Provide Feedback & Suggestions . FSM Public Information Office . National Government, Federated States of Micronesia . November 9, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220705042424/https://gov.fm/index.php/component/content/article/35-pio-articles/news-and-updates/415-fsm-national-government-expands-tourism-sector-mitigation-fund-to-more-types-of-businesses-public-private-sector-cooperation-essential-to-economic-recovery-businesses-encouraged-to-provide-feedback-suggestions . July 5, 2022 . January 13, 2021 . His Excellency David W. Panuelo—President of the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM)—opened the first of a series of exploratory informational meetings between the FSM National Government and the Nation’s private sector... The well-attended meeting began with the Nation’s macroeconomics advisor, Mr. Rob Solomon, describing the FSM Economic Stimulus Package thus far, and what recent legislation has done to change it.

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