Panama Ex-President’s Return to Office Threatened by Graft Allegations, Reports Reuters

By Valentine Hilaire and Elida Moreno

Panama’s former president, Ricardo Martinelli, is attempting to persuade voters to support his bid for a second term in the upcoming election on May 5. However, a lengthy prison sentence for money laundering casts a shadow over his campaign.

Martinelli’s candidacy could face significant challenges if the country’s highest court affirms a 128-month prison sentence linked to the "New Business" case, in which he allegedly misused public funds to acquire a media empire, thereby securing a controlling interest.

His legal team announced their intention to appeal the conviction shortly after the court’s ruling was made public in July of the previous year, arguing that the former leader did not misuse public resources in the transaction.

According to Panama’s constitution, individuals sentenced to five years or more in prison are ineligible to run for the presidency.

Carlos Carrillo, one of Martinelli’s lawyers, expressed to reporters that they expect the court to accept their appeal. He also noted that even if the appeal is denied, it would not immediately disqualify Martinelli’s candidacy.

This week, Martinelli stated on social media that he would be willing to transfer his support to his running mate, Jose Raul Mulino, if he were blocked from running, asserting that his party could still achieve victory under such circumstances.

A notable figure in the supermarket industry, Martinelli served as president from 2009 to 2014, earning the nickname "the crazy man" during his campaign as he promised sweeping changes to improve Panama’s status.

He is eligible to run again now, as Panamanian law mandates a ten-year waiting period for former presidents seeking a second term.

When he left office, Martinelli enjoyed a approval rating exceeding 60%. However, a wave of legal investigations followed, which he attributed to political persecution.

He was arrested in Miami amid inquiries into alleged political surveillance and was later extradited to Panama, where he spent nearly a year in detention before being acquitted.

Last year, the United States barred Martinelli and his immediate family from entering the country, accusing him of accepting bribes related to improper government contracts awarded during his presidency.

The U.S. Secretary of State announced this ban on the same day that two of Martinelli’s sons completed their prison sentences in the U.S. for facilitating bribes from the Brazilian construction firm Odebrecht to a Panamanian official during their father’s term in office.

The U.S. ambassador to Panama indicated in a television interview that the U.S. government would collaborate with whichever president the Panamanian people choose, emphasizing the need for local judicial authorities to resolve Martinelli’s ongoing legal matters.