PANAMA CITY (AP) — Voters in Panama waited to hear who their next president would be on Sunday. After an election Although the country’s former president was not on the ballot, he was consumed by the unfolding drama surrounding him.
Voters lined up outside polling stations as scorching heat beat down on the usually sleepy Central American nation. Eager for change after months of political turmoil and protests, Panamanians weighed promises of economic prosperity and a diaspora crackdown on corruption.
More than 50 countries will go to the polls in 2024
“Panama’s election will be one of the most complicated in its modern history. The referendum was marked by increased political fragmentation and social discontent at the exit President Laurentino CortizoArantza Alonso, senior U.S. analyst at risk consultancy Verisk Maplecroft, said before the poll began.
The presidential race remained in uncertain waters until Friday morning, when Panama’s Supreme Court ruled in favor of the leading presidential candidate Jose Raul Mulino allowed to operate. It said he was eligible despite allegations that his nomination was not valid because he was not elected in the primaries.
Mulino joined the race late to replace the former president Riccardo Martinelli As a party candidate who achieves goals. The fiery Martinelli was banned from running in March after being jailed for more than 10 years for money laundering.
Martinelli, the business magnate who was Panama’s president from 2009 to 2014, dominated much of the race. He campaigned for his former partner from within the walls of the Nicaraguan embassy He sought asylum in February After receiving political asylum. On Sunday morning, Mulino was flanked by photographers inside the Nicaraguan embassy and wrapped Martinelli in a big hug, shouting, “Brother, we’re going to win!”
In Martinelli’s absence, Mulino maintained his connection with the former president. He is rarely seen without his blue “Martinelli Mulino 2024” hat and has pledged to help Martinelli if elected, a move welcomed by the former president’s supporters.
Panamanians are very tired of the endemic parasites that plague the country. Still, Martinelli’s prison sentence, his 2017 arrest in Florida, and others are more than willing to take notice. Corruption scandals In favor of the humming economy seen during his presidency.
Among them was Juan José Tinoco, who voted from his working-class neighborhood of small concrete houses surrounded by fancy skyscrapers. The 63-year-old bus driver said he planned to vote for Mulino because it was the closest thing to Martinelli, adding that he earned a decent amount of money during the former president’s tenure.
“We have health services, education, garbage on the streets … and corruption that never goes away,” Tinoco said. “We have money here. It is a country of great wealth, but we need a leader who will dedicate himself to the needs of Panama.
Mulino promised to create and stop another wave of economic prosperity Migration through the Darien GapThe dangerous jungle stretch that connects Colombia and Panama was crossed by half a million migrants last year.
While Mulino’s message resonated with many voters, others, like 68-year-old Uber driver Emanuel Romero, agreed the country needed change, but with someone new at the helm.
Romero’s car was painted with banners of candidate Ricardo Lombana, who denounced corruption and sought the votes of young Panamanians eager for change.
Mulino led with about 35% of the vote, while his rivals trailed behind. According to a March poll by the Panamanian Institute of Civic Studies, former President Martin Torrijos was second with 15%, while former presidential candidates Romulo Roux and Lombana received 14% and 12%, respectively.
“If we want to see corruption and our country in disarray, let’s vote for the same people. “I will vote for an independent, I believe he will do better things to save the country,” Romero said.
Whoever takes over, Panama’s next president faces an uphill battle, especially on the economy. Last year, the Central American nation was rocked by weeks of mass anti-government protests that included deep discontent among citizens.
Critics said the drought, which has effectively shut down commercial traffic through the Panama Canal, has threatened the environment and water at a time when it has worsened.
Many celebrated when the country’s Supreme Court arrived in November declared the treaty unconstitutionalMine closures, a recent slowdown in economic growth and reduced canal traffic will put Panama’s new leader in a tight spot.
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Associated Press journalist Janetsky reported from Mexico City.
