In brief
In a significant political development, Colombia has granted asylum to Ricardo Martinelli, the former president of Panama, who sought refuge at Nicaragua's embassy to escape a prison sentence related to money laundering.
The Colombian government officially announced on Saturday that it has issued asylum to Ricardo Martinelli, the former president of Panama. For over a year, he had been taking refuge in the Nicaraguan embassy in Panama City to avoid serving a ten-year prison sentence for money laundering charges. Colombia's Foreign Ministry confirmed that Martinelli was assisted in leaving the embassy and transported by diplomatic vehicle to a local airport for his flight to Bogotá.Martinelli, now aged 73, led Panama from 2009 until 2014. He expressed his arrival in Colombia through social media, stating he has been recognized as a political refugee. His legal troubles escalated with a conviction in 2023, where he was found guilty of money laundering stemming from funds linked to the purchase of a publishing house by government contractors. The Supreme Court of Panama upheld this conviction, also imposing a $19 million fine on him.Claiming political motivations behind his conviction, Martinelli previously received asylum protection from Nicaragua. While in the embassy, he had intended to campaign for the presidential elections scheduled for May 2024 but was eventually disqualified by Panama’s electoral tribunal due to his legal status. His running mate, José Raúl Mulino, took up the baton in the elections, emphasizing Martinelli's legacy. Ultimately, Mulino won decisively, while Martinelli remained confined within the embassy's walls throughout this period.
