Panama Grants Ex-President Martinelli Safe Passage to Nicaragua

The Panamanian government has approved safe passage for former President Ricardo Martinelli, allowing him to leave for Nicaragua after being sentenced to 10 years in prison for money laundering.

Foreign Affairs Minister Javier Martinez-Acha Vasquez confirmed the decision on Thursday, citing humanitarian concerns over Martinelli’s health. The former president, who had been granted asylum by Nicaragua, has been sheltering in the Nicaraguan embassy in Panama City since February 2024 to avoid arrest.

“Justice and health do not always follow the same timeline,” Martinez-Acha Vasquez stated, emphasizing that the approval of Martinelli’s safe conduct was based on medical considerations.

At 73, Martinelli has exhausted all legal appeals after being convicted in 2023 for his involvement in a money-laundering scheme linked to a business operation known as “New Business.” Prosecutors successfully argued that he misused government contracts to funnel funds for acquiring a media company.

His conviction ended his political career, with Panama’s Electoral Tribunal ruling that he was ineligible to run in the 2024 presidential election due to constitutional restrictions on candidates with sentences of five years or more.

Despite maintaining his innocence, Martinelli has faced multiple legal challenges, including accusations of involvement in the Odebrecht corruption scandal alongside his two sons.

While the Panamanian government had initially denied his request to leave, concerns over his potential arrest by local authorities had fueled speculation about his fate. His supporters continue to rally behind him, even as he prepares to depart for Nicaragua.