In an unexpected turn of events, José Raúl Mulino has been elected as the President of Panama. A 64-year-old lawyer and former minister from Chiriquí, Mulino was initially running as the vice-presidential candidate for Ricardo Martinelli. However, after Martinelli was disqualified, Mulino was catapulted into power. Despite not being the first choice for vice president, Mulino emerged as the replacement for Martinelli and was officially endorsed by the Supreme Court of Justice last Friday.
Mulino campaigned on promises to bring back the economic boom of a decade ago, drawing on nostalgia for the infrastructure investments and growth experienced during Martinelli’s presidency. He emphasized his commitment to tackling unemployment and poverty, positioning himself as a formidable leader in the eyes of many Panamanians.
A seasoned politician with a long history in public service, Mulino has served as Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs and later as Chancellor in the Government of Guillermo Endara. However, his tenure as Minister of Security under Martinelli was marred by controversy and allegations of abuse of authority. Despite this past controversy surrounding his actions, Mulino has proposed ambitious projects for his presidency, such as extending the passenger train line to his native province of Chiriquí and calling for a new Constituent Assembly for Panama.
