Nicaragua Grants Asylum to Panama’s Ex-President Martinelli, Reports Reuters

Nicaragua’s government announced on Wednesday that it has granted asylum to former Panamanian President Ricardo Martinelli. This decision came after Martinelli, who is currently facing a lengthy prison sentence in Panama, sought asylum at Nicaragua’s embassy in Panama City.

Martinelli confirmed to reporters that he had made the request for asylum, with his spokesman noting that he remains in Panama.

The former president views himself as a victim of political persecution, claiming that his life is in “imminent” danger, as stated by Nicaragua’s foreign ministry. Recently, Panama’s top court dismissed Martinelli’s appeal to overturn an almost 11-year prison sentence linked to money laundering charges.

Following the court’s decision to uphold his sentence, Panama’s electoral authorities have yet to comment on the status of Martinelli’s presidential candidacy for the upcoming elections. Despite this, Martinelli, who served as president from 2009 to 2014, is reportedly leading in polling ahead of the presidential election scheduled for May.

Panama’s foreign ministry has not provided immediate comments regarding the situation.

Historically, Nicaragua has granted asylum to former leaders, including two ex-presidents from El Salvador, Mauricio Funes and Salvador Sanchez.