His Excellency
David Panuelo
Panuelo in 2019
9th President of the Federated States of Micronesia
In office
May 11, 2019 – May 11, 2023
Vice PresidentYosiwo George (2019–2022)
Aren Palik (2022–2023)
Preceded byPeter M. Christian
Succeeded byWesley Simina
Personal details
Born (1964-04-13) April 13, 1964 (age 59)
Pohnpei, Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands (now the Federated States of Micronesia)
SpousePatricia Edwin
Children5[1]

David W. Panuelo (born April 13, 1964)[2] is a Micronesian politician who served as the president of the Federated States of Micronesia from 2019 to 2023.[3]

Biography

Panuelo with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in Tokyo on 21 October 2019.

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

Panuelo speaks with U.S. Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo in Kolonia, Federated States of Micronesia on August 5, 2019.

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 comprised of 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. ^ "Profile. David Panuelo". profilpelajar.com. Retrieved May 10, 2023.
  2. ^ "Micronesia". www.worldstatesmen.org.
  3. ^ "His Excellency David W. Panuelo, President of the Federated States of Micronesia". Archived from the original on May 17, 2019. Retrieved May 18, 2019.
  4. ^ a b c d "H. E. David W. Panuelo – Biography". FSM National Government. Retrieved December 4, 2020.
  5. ^ a b Panuelo, David W (May 20, 2020). "State of the Nation Address" (PDF). FSM Public Information Office. National Government of the FSM. Retrieved March 14, 2022.
  6. ^ "Compacts of Free Association:: Implications of Planned Ending of Some U.S. Economic Assistance". US GAO. US Government Accountability Office. February 14, 2022. p. 28. Retrieved March 28, 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. ^ David W. Panuelo (May 28, 2021). "President Panuelo's Statement at the China-Pacific Island Countries Political Leadership Dialogue". FSM National Government. FSM Public Information Office. Retrieved March 28, 2022. 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. ^ "FSM asks China to back calls for Russia's withdrawal from Ukraine" (web and print). Pacific Island Times. Pacific Independent News Service LLC. March 28, 2022. Retrieved March 28, 2022. " 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. ^ "Xi Jinping Holds Talks with President David W. Panuelo of the Federated States of Micronesia". Media Release, PRC Foreign Affairs. People's Republic of China. Ministry of Foreign Affairs. December 13, 2019. Retrieved April 1, 2022.
  10. ^ Cagurangan, Mar-Vic (May 29, 2021). "Panuelo holds the door wide open for Beijing, offers FSM as a transshipment hub for China's goods". Pacific Island TImes. Pacific Independent News Service. Retrieved April 1, 2022.
  11. ^ Richard Clark (September 25, 2022). "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. Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia: FSM Public Information Office. Archived from the original on September 29, 2022. Retrieved September 29, 2022.
  12. ^ Richard Clark (November 15, 2022). "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. Internet Archive: National Government of the Federated States of Micronesia. Archived from the original on November 15, 2022. Retrieved 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. ^ Gan, Angus Watson,Nectar (March 10, 2023). "Outgoing president of Micronesia accuses China of bribery, threats and 'political warfare'". CNN. Retrieved July 6, 2023.((cite web)): CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  14. ^ Needham, Kirsty (March 10, 2023). "Pacific's Micronesia in talks to switch ties from Beijing to Taiwan- letter". Reuters. Retrieved July 6, 2023.
  15. ^ Hunt, Edward (October 20, 2022). "The American Empire Runs Through the Compact States". Counter Punch. Internet Archive. Archived from the original on October 22, 2022. Retrieved October 24, 2022.
  16. ^ "U.S. Relations With the Federated States of Micronesia, Bilaterial Relations Fact Sheet". US State Department. Internet Archive. October 21, 2021. Archived from the original on October 23, 2022. Retrieved October 24, 2022.
  17. ^ "US asked not to micromanage FSM". Pacific Island Times. Internet Archive: Pacific Independent News Service LLC. November 8, 2022. Archived from the original on November 8, 2022. Retrieved November 8, 2022. "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. ^ Campbel, Yonique (2021). COVID in the Islands: A comparative perspective on the Caribbean and the Pacific (First ed.). Palgrave MacMillan. pp. 183–184. ISBN 978-9811652844. Retrieved March 8, 2023.
  19. ^ Clark, David (March 14, 2020). "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. Palikir, Pohnpei: FSM Public Information Officer. Retrieved March 8, 2023.
  20. ^ Admin (June 22, 2022). "Panuelo: 'I cannot keep our borders closed any longer'". Pacific Island Times. Retrieved March 8, 2023.
  21. ^ Hofschneider, Anita (November 19, 2020). "Pacific Islanders Can't Return Home During COVID-19 — Even To Bury Their Loved Ones". Pierre Omidyar. Retrieved March 8, 2023.
  22. ^ Cagurangan, Mar-Vic. "Covid surge on Guam prompts FSM to pause repatriation of stranded citizens". Pacific Island Times. No. February 7, 2022. Pacific Independent News Service LLC. Retrieved March 8, 2023.
  23. ^ Clark, Richard (January 27, 2021). "On the Occasion of the Medical Clearance of the Crew of the MV Chief Mailo As Delivered" (PDF). FSM Public Information Office. Retrieved March 8, 2023.
  24. ^ Guerrero, Phill Leon (March 26, 2022). "Admiral: FSM buildup won't result in 'permanent' basing". Guam Daily Post. Retrieved March 8, 2023.
  25. ^ FSMPublic Information (July 16, 2021). "President Panuelo Arrives in Hawaii, Meets with T.H. David Y. Ige Prior to FSM-US Defense Talks". FSM Public Information Office. Retrieved March 8, 2023.
  26. ^ "FSM's president throws first pitch for Washington Nationals". April 21, 2022. Retrieved March 8, 2023.
  27. ^ "FSM CONSULATE OPENING IN PORTLAND". Living Islands. April 24, 2022. Retrieved March 8, 2023.
  28. ^ "Micronesia - President Addresses General Debate, 77th Session". United Nations TV. New York, NY: United Nations. September 22, 2022. Retrieved March 8, 2023.
  29. ^ MATSUMOTO, FUMI (July 13, 2022). "Micronesia president frets over China's regional security goals". Nikkei Asia. Retrieved March 8, 2023.
  30. ^ Jackson, Skiller (January 2022). "Kosrae State 2021 Island Trade Fair" (PDF). Vol. 17, no. 2. p. 6. Retrieved March 8, 2023.
  31. ^ Admin (February 27, 2022). "US eyes Yap for regional defense plans". Pacific Island Times. Retrieved March 8, 2023.
  32. ^ "ENGINKEHLAP 9-22 News". Office of the Governor, Pohnpei State, FSM. Pohnpei, FSM. June 12, 2022. Retrieved March 8, 2023.
  33. ^ "Panuelo's economic consultant arrested over sex trafficking charges". Pacific Island Times. Internet Archive: Pacific Independent News Service LLC. December 20, 2021. Archived from the original on May 19, 2022. Retrieved November 9, 2022.
  34. ^ Bill Jaynes (December 15, 2021). "o arrested in Pohnpei including an FSM consultant, on multiple charges related to human trafficking". Kaselehlie Press. Vol. 21, no. 25. p. 1. Archived from the original on November 9, 2022. Retrieved November 9, 2022.
  35. ^ "NZ man facing child trafficking charges in Federated States of Micronesia". 1News. TVNZ. New Zealand’s state-owned, commercially funded broadcaster. March 30, 2022. Archived from the original on November 9, 2022. Retrieved November 9, 2022.
  36. ^ "List of Contact People and Possible Consultants for Stockholm Convention National Implementation Plans in the Pacific Region". Stockholm Conventions. Internet Archive: United Nations. Archived from the original on November 9, 2022. Retrieved November 9, 2022. Janet S Panuelo, Conservation Society of Pohnpei, Pohnpei Women's Advisory Council, Dolonier, Nett
  37. ^ "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. Internet Archive: National Government, Federated States of Micronesia. Archived from the original on November 9, 2022. Retrieved November 9, 2022. "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. ^ "The National Government's Response to Allegations & Charges Regarding its Macroeconomist Consultant". FSM Public Information Office. National Government, Federated States of Micronesia. December 20, 2021. Archived from the original on July 8, 2022. Retrieved November 9, 2022. "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 comprised of 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. ^ "Journal, 2nd Regular Session, 20th Congress" (PDF). Congress of the Federated States of Micronesia. National Government, Federated States of Micronesia. pp. 85–86. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 30, 2019. Retrieved November 9, 2022. 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. ^ "C.R. NO. 21-59; Resolution confirm the nomination of Mr. Rob Solomon" (PDF). Congress of Micronesia. National Government, Federated States of Micronesia. September 13, 2019. Archived from the original (PDF) on August 22, 2022. Retrieved November 9, 2022.
  41. ^ "Standing Committee Report NO. 21-28" (PDF). Congress of the Federated States of Micronesia. National Government, Federated States of Micronesia. September 23, 2019. Archived from the original (PDF) on August 22, 2022. Retrieved November 9, 2022. 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. ^ "Congress approves national budget and certain nominations". Congress of the Federated States of Micronesia. National Government, Federated States of Micronesia. Archived from the original on November 9, 2022. Retrieved November 9, 2022.
  43. ^ "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. March 6, 2020. Archived from the original on July 12, 2022. Retrieved November 9, 2022. "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. ^ "President Panuelo Hands Over Three Million Dollars to the FSM Development Bank for Small/Micro Enterprise Loans" (PDF). FSM Public Information Office. National Government, Federated States of Micronesia. March 5, 2021. Archived from the original (PDF) on June 21, 2022. Retrieved November 9, 2022. 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. ^ "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. August 18, 2020. Archived from the original on July 1, 2022. Retrieved November 9, 2022. "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. ^ "FSM Delegation in D.C. for IMF and World Bank Annual Meetings". Department of Finance and Administration (DOFA). National Government, Federated States of Micronesia. October 24, 2019. Archived from the original on June 26, 2022. Retrieved November 9, 2022. 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. ^ "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. January 13, 2021. Archived from the original on July 5, 2022. Retrieved November 9, 2022. 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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