In a surprising turn of events, José Raúl Mulino, a 64-year-old from Chiriquí, has been elected as the new president of Panama. Initially, Mulino was not the first choice to be Ricardo Martinelli’s vice-presidential candidate. However, after Martinelli’s disqualification due to a corruption scandal, Mulino was catapulted into power after a brief campaign centered on the promise of bringing back the economic prosperity of a decade ago.
Mulino entered the campaign as a replacement for Martinelli in March and his candidacy was only officially endorsed by the Supreme Court of Justice a few days before the election. Despite Martinelli’s conviction on corruption charges, he remains popular in Panama, and Mulino shamelessly embraced their connection by visiting him at the Nicaraguan Embassy where he is currently seeking asylum.
Throughout his campaign, Mulino repeatedly emphasized his intention to revive the economic success of Martinelli’s government. He associated himself with the prosperity of that time and promised to address issues like unemployment and poverty. Mulino has a long history in Panamanian politics, including his involvement in the Civilist Crusade that led to the ousting of General Manuel Antonio Noriega. He has held various government positions, including Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of Security under Martinelli, where he faced criticism for his handling of protests and corruption allegations.
Moving forward, Mulino has proposed ambitious infrastructure projects and a new political charter for Panama. His presidency will be closely watched to see how he navigates the legacy of Martinelli, addresses corruption and fulfills his promises to the Panamanian people.
