Former Panama President Martinelli leaves Nicaraguan Embassy for asylum in Colombia

Former Panamanian President Ricardo Martinelli, who sought refuge in the Nicaraguan embassy in Panama City over a year ago, has now left the embassy and moved to Colombia, where he has been granted political asylum. The Colombian government confirmed the news late Saturday, according to CNN. A statement from Panama’s foreign ministry revealed that Colombian President Gustavo Petro informed Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino that Martinelli had been granted asylum. "The Republic of Colombia has always respected and promoted international law, including the asylum system," the statement said

Former Panamanian President Ricardo Martinelli, who sought refuge in the Nicaraguan embassy in Panama City over a year ago, has now left the embassy and moved to Colombia, where he has been granted political asylum. The Colombian government confirmed the news late Saturday, according to CNN. A statement from Panama’s foreign ministry revealed that Colombian President Gustavo Petro informed Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino that Martinelli had been granted asylum. "The Republic of Colombia has always respected and promoted international law, including the asylum system," the statement said. It also noted that Panama had provided Martinelli with safe passage to Colombia. Martinelli, 73, was sentenced to 10 years in prison in July 2023 for money laundering related to the purchase of a publishing group. After his sentence was upheld, Martinelli sought refuge in the Nicaraguan embassy, where he stayed for over a year. Nicaragua’s President Daniel Ortega had granted him asylum. "Panama’s judicial system has targeted me politically," Martinelli has repeatedly claimed, insisting that his legal troubles are related to his desire to run for president again. Martinelli served as Panama's president from 2009 to 2014, a period marked by major infrastructure projects such as Central America’s first metro and the expansion of the Panama Canal. However, his presidency was also marred by allegations of bribery and corruption. After being convicted of money laundering, Martinelli’s bid for a second term as president was blocked, as Panama's Supreme Court rejected his appeal. In the 2024 presidential election, Martinelli supported his running mate, José Raúl Mulino, who is now Panama’s president. Nicaragua had granted Martinelli asylum in February 2024, but Panama initially refused to allow him to be transferred there. The Colombian government had not previously commented on the case. This move marks the end of Martinelli’s long stay in the Nicaraguan embassy and a new chapter in his legal and political struggles.