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Former Panama Public Security Minister Jose Raul Mulino won Sunday in a presidential election marked by his former boss, former corruption-convict President Ricardo Martinelli, who backed his candidacy
Former Panama Public Security Minister Jose Raul Mulino won Sunday in a presidential election marked by his former boss, former corruption-convict President Ricardo Martinelli, who backed his candidacy despite being granted asylum in the Nicaraguan embassy.
Mulino was one of the favorites to win the Isthmus presidential election after he replaced Martinelli on the ballot when the popular former president was barred from running due to conviction for money laundering.
“Mission accomplished, damn it!” Mulino said to his followers to applause and cheers. “Ricardo Martinelli, friend, mission accomplished too”he added.
He detailed that his government would be pro-investment and pro-business, and added that the Central American country would honor its debts, but he also promised not to forget about the poor.
“I commit to the country to create a government of national unity as soon as possible (…) because all Panamanians must join forces to be able to advance the national agenda,” Mulino said after a video call from the election judge confirming his victory. .
In a strange election campaign, Martinelli He played a key role in obtaining Mulino’s support from the Nicaraguan embassy in the Panama capital, where he sought asylum. Many voters saw Mulino as a representative of Martinelli, although opponents called him puppet Previous President.
Nicaragua granted asylum Martinelli, but the Panamanian authorities prevented him Leave the country. Mulino visited Martinelli at the embassy after Sunday’s vote.
With 95.5% of the votes counted, Mulino, a 64-year-old right-wing lawyer and diplomat who twice served as Martinelli’s minister, received 34.38% of preferences. He is followed with 24.93% by Ricardo Lombana, a 50-year-old lawyer who was consul to the United States during the administration of Martin Torrijos (2004-2009).
In your X account Martinelli He celebrated the results and attacked the losing candidates:
In addition to the presidency, hundreds of government positions have been revamped, including 71 seats in the National Assembly, where no one group will have a supermajority.
Mulino, who takes office on July 1 for a five-year term, will face the daunting task of healing growing social divisions and restoring the faith of voters weary of political corruption.
77% of just over three million eligible Panamanians took part in the elections, the highest turnout in two decades.
Mulino, who was minister of government, justice and public security during Martinelli’s government (2009–2014) and chancellor in the 1990s, He pledged to voters to restore the economic prosperity and high levels of job creation that characterized the country during Martinelli’s tenure.
Except, promised a road rehabilitation program, building a train to the Costa Rican border and, among other things, achieving the highest minimum wage in Latin America, even if this means doubling what Panama currently has, roughly 340 Dollars.
“While we will promote a government focused on investment and private companies, we cannot forget those who are hungry, those who want jobs and those who need drinking water in the country every day,” Mulino told his followers.
Dozens of supporters gathered at a hotel in downtown Panama City winnerthey celebrated dancing, waving flags and shouting slogans in favor of their candidate.
“Mulino’s victory is excellent. Mulino had the trust of the people,” said Haide Gonzalez, a 46-year-old health worker who came from Colon province in the north of the country. to celebrate the victory.
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“We know that now as president he will be able to fix the country, there will be more security and economic recovery,” he added.
The next government will have to deal with a troubled pension fund system, high levels of public debt and lost revenues from mine closures that account for about 5% of gross domestic product (GDP).
Corruption has become a hot topic among voters. Local media recently reported on lucrative student loans and scholarships available to the children of prominent politicians and wealthy families.
After a record 520,000 migrants crossed the dangerous jungle connecting Panama and Colombia, known as the Darien Gap, in 2023, migration also was in the minds of voters.
Mulineau has vowed to close Darien, which in recent years has become a massive migration corridor where numerous mafias and criminal organizations operate.
“We are going to close Darien and accordingly we are going to repatriate all these people while respecting human rights,” he said recently, without specifying how he would close the route.
The next administration will also inherit the problems faced by the Panama Canal, which has seen revenues fall after it was forced to curtail shipping due to a prolonged drought. (Reuters).
Source: Aristegui Noticias
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