Panama: The Electoral Tribunal of Panama has cancelled the candidacy of former President Ricardo Martinelli in the presidential elections to be held in May.
Alfredo Junca, the president of the body, announced a decision that ended Martinelli’s hopes of being re-elected. This decision comes a month after the former President’s failed attempt to seek asylum in the Nicaraguan embassy to avoid imprisonment on corruption charges.
Martinelli governed as the president of the country from 2009 to 2014. Last year, the 71-year-old supermarket tycoon was sentenced to over 10 years in prison and fined $19 million for using public funds to buy a publishing house stake.
The former president of Panama burst at a Supreme Court ruling that rejected his appeal against the conviction. Martinelli called the ruling an ‘illegal last-minute move’ to remove him from the presidential race.
Panama’s constitution bars anyone sentenced to five years or more for a crime from holding elected office. The Electoral Tribunal was entitled to cancel the former leader’s candidature as the conviction was finalised.
Before his repeal, Martinelli was considered the front-runner to win the May election, according to most polls. However, former Foreign Minister Jose Raul Mulino was allowed to remain on the ballot as the sole presidential candidate after Martinelli’s disqualification.
The Ex-President denies any wrongdoing and claims that he has been a victim of political persecution. Additionally, Martinelli was banned from running for a legislative seat. Martinelli, a millionaire businessman, faced multiple corruption charges since leaving office as Panama’s president.
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In 2021, the former leader was cleared of charges of espionage and misuse of public funds. However, he still has to face a separate trial after the May 5 election. Ricardo Martinelli is being charged with acquiring bribes from Brazilian construction company, Odebrecht, for projects related to public works in Panama while he was serving as President.
Martinelli, a populist who led Panama and oversaw the construction of the capital’s inaugural subway line, became Panama’s first former president to be convicted of a crime. Last year, the US government banned him and his family from entering the country, citing significant corruption.