BRIEFS: Government

Mef to auction former military properties

The Ministerio de Economía y Finanzas (MEF) has announced plans to auction 13 pieces of property, including a farm formerly owned by deposed dictator Manuel Antonio Noriega.

The 13 properties, which were formerly owned by Panama's military, include several with ocean views in Playa Blanca and Gorgona. The properties were turned over to the state once Noriega's military regime was overthrown in 1989.

MEF spokesman Manuel Naza said the properties are being surveyed, and once that process is complete a date will be set for the auction.

“The idea is to make the most of any state land,” he said. On June 4, the Consejo de Gabinete ordered Noriega's house in Altos del Golf to be auctioned. The house and property are worth an estimated $4.3 million. The government has now decided to auction the additional properties.

Noriega is under U.S. custody pending the outcome of legal action that seeks to avoid his extradition to France on money laundering charges.