Ricardo Martinelli, the former president of Panama, has been granted asylum by Colombia after spending over a year in the Nicaraguan embassy to escape a prison sentence for money laundering.
Colombia Welcomes Former Panamanian President Martinelli with Open Arms
Colombia Welcomes Former Panamanian President Martinelli with Open Arms
Asylum is granted to Ricardo Martinelli after a year in Nicaraguan Embassy evading prison sentence for money laundering.
Ricardo Martinelli, a former president of Panama from 2009 to 2014, has recently escaped to Colombia, receiving asylum after a prolonged stay in the Nicaraguan embassy in Panama City. The move came as he sought to evade a prison sentence stemming from a money laundering conviction. The Colombian government's Foreign Ministry released a statement confirming that Martinelli was allowed asylum, facilitating his transport from the embassy to the airport by diplomatic car.
At 73, Martinelli took to social media to announce his arrival in Bogotá, claiming that his asylum was granted on the basis of political refugee status. The 2023 conviction which led to his legal troubles was linked to a money laundering scheme involving funds allegedly misappropriated from government contracts related to the purchase of a publishing house. After being sentenced to ten years in prison and fined $19 million, Martinelli argued that the case was politically driven, a sentiment echoed by his supporters.
Last year, Nicaragua had already issued asylum to Martinelli, during which time he resided in the decorated surroundings of the Nicaraguan embassy alongside his dog, Bruno, claiming his intention to run in the May 2024 elections from within those walls. However, just two months prior to the elections, Panama’s electoral tribunal barred him from contending due to his legal issues. His running mate, José Raúl Mulino, took his place on the ballot, capitalizing on the legacy of Martinelli's presidency, ultimately winning the election convincingly with Martinelli’s support from the embassy.
Martinelli's political maneuvering and asylum story shed light on the intersection of politics, governance, and legal challenges in Latin America, highlighting ongoing discussions regarding political asylum and its implications in the region.
At 73, Martinelli took to social media to announce his arrival in Bogotá, claiming that his asylum was granted on the basis of political refugee status. The 2023 conviction which led to his legal troubles was linked to a money laundering scheme involving funds allegedly misappropriated from government contracts related to the purchase of a publishing house. After being sentenced to ten years in prison and fined $19 million, Martinelli argued that the case was politically driven, a sentiment echoed by his supporters.
Last year, Nicaragua had already issued asylum to Martinelli, during which time he resided in the decorated surroundings of the Nicaraguan embassy alongside his dog, Bruno, claiming his intention to run in the May 2024 elections from within those walls. However, just two months prior to the elections, Panama’s electoral tribunal barred him from contending due to his legal issues. His running mate, José Raúl Mulino, took his place on the ballot, capitalizing on the legacy of Martinelli's presidency, ultimately winning the election convincingly with Martinelli’s support from the embassy.
Martinelli's political maneuvering and asylum story shed light on the intersection of politics, governance, and legal challenges in Latin America, highlighting ongoing discussions regarding political asylum and its implications in the region.
