Former President Ricardo Martinelli of Panama has been disqualified from running in the upcoming presidential election due to a 10-year sentence for money laundering. The decision was made by the country’s electoral tribunal after a 10-hour debate, citing his disqualification as a result of being sentenced to more than five years in prison for an intentional crime.
This decision comes after Panama’s Supreme Court denied Mr. Martinelli’s appeal of the money laundering conviction, which involved funds obtained from government contractors for the 2010 purchase of a publishing house. Following the court ruling, Mr. Martinelli, 71, was granted asylum by Nicaragua and fled to its embassy in Panama City.
Despite claiming innocence and being a victim of political persecution, Mr. Martinelli’s running mate, José Raúl Mulino, will now run for president in his place. However, the decision has sparked controversy, with Mr. Martinelli’s spokesman calling it “illegal” and accusing the electoral tribunal of procedural violations.
The disqualification leaves a handful of other presidential candidates, including Ricardo Lombana, a former diplomat, who expressed his views on social media. Polls had previously shown Mr. Martinelli as a top contender in the election, given his track record of strong economic growth during his presidency.
This development has significant implications for Panama’s political landscape, and the upcoming election is now poised to be even more closely watched.
2024-03-05 22:11:07
Article from www.nytimes.com