Former Panamanian President Martinelli seeks asylum in Colombia

Former Panamanian President Martinelli seeks asylum in Colombia

Panama City, Panama – Former Panamanian President Ricardo Martinelli has left the Vietnamese embassy in Panama City, where he had sought refuge for more than a year. This came after the courts upheld a money laundering conviction against him. Martinelli now went to Colombia, where he had applied for political asylum, the government announced late on Saturday.

Granting asylum by Colombia

Panama's Foreign Ministry said in a statement that Colombian President Gustavo Petro sent a formal note to Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino granting asylum to Martinelli. Panama also certified that the former president had safe passage to Colombia.

Historical significance of the right to asylum

The statement said: “The Republic of Colombia is a State historically recognized with the greatest respect, compliance and promotion of the institutions of international law, including the asylum system within the Inter-American system.”

Background to Martinelli's conviction

Martinelli, 73, was sentenced in July 2023 to ten years in prison for money laundering in connection with the purchase of a publishing group. After the verdict was confirmed, the former president sought refuge in the Nicaraguan diplomatic mission in Panama after receiving asylum from the government of Daniel Ortega. He stayed in the embassy for more than a year.

Career and political controversies

Martinelli is an entrepreneur and supermarket magnate who ruled Panama from 2009 to 2014. During this period, the country experienced rapid economic growth, spurred by the construction of significant projects such as Central America's first subway and the expansion of the Interoceanic Canal. However, his governing style was marred by allegations of bribery and cost overruns. The United States imposed sanctions on him in January 2023 for corruption.

Political ambitions and setbacks

Martinelli claims his persecution was politically motivated as he wanted to run for a second term. In 2023 he was able to win his party's nomination for another presidential election. However, after his conviction for money laundering and the Supreme Court's rejection of his appeal, he was no longer eligible to vote. Ultimately, Martinelli supported his candidate and current president, Mulino.

Asylum in Nicaragua and the connection to Panama

In February 2024, Nicaragua recognized Martinelli's political asylum. Panama had previously refused to give Nicaragua permission to transfer Martinelli to their country. The Colombian government had not previously commented on the issue.