The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Panama granted yesterday a safe-conduct to former President Ricardo Martinelli, which had been requested months earlier by the Government of Nicaragua but had not been accepted by Panama

PANAMA - In Brief 28 Mar 2025 by Marco Fernandez

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Martinelli was initially an asylum seeker without safe-conduct. Yesterday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs wisely granted him safe-conduct on "humanitarian" grounds. By handling the situation this way, the ministry strategically avoided inadvertently legitimizing Martinelli's claim of political asylum—a status the former president has been attempting to assert, despite not meeting the strict legal definition. Martinelli did have health problems, after spending thirteen months residing in the Nicaraguan Embassy without formal medical attention. At 72 years old, and with several known ailments, this was an important factor in his decision. Options: The most prudent option emerged: accepting the safe-conduct and preparing to withdraw to Nicaragua at the beginning of next week, as mandated by the Foreign Affairs Ministry. From Nicaragua, Martinelli will attempt to continue influencing local politics by engaging with the legislators of his RM party, though his physical distance will likely diminish his effectiveness. It is worth recalling that despite his nominal asylum status, he had maintained a robust public presence—receiving visitors, broadcasting daily messages on social networks, and even recommending restaurants as an informal commercial spokesperson. According to international norms and the fact that he was convicted of corruption, he cannot simply go out on the streets; however, judicial authorities would arrest him so that he serves his ten-year sentence and pays a fine of $19.2 million for the New Business case. Was yesterday’s action prearranged between Mulino and Martinelli? It is most likely that it was not the surprise that the former president mentioned on ...