Panama Elections: Ricardo Martinelli Replacement Jose Raul Mulino Elected President

Panama has found its next president, and he is last-minute replacement candidate Jose Raul Mulino, a staunch ally of convicted former president Ricardo Martinelli. His election is seen to have a massive effect on the immigration crisis, as Panama is one of the biggest transit countries for people who want to get to Mexico and head to the US-Mexico border.

According to the Associated Press, Jose Raul Mulino has previously admitted that he was practically retired from politics just over six months ago. However, when Ricardo Martinelli was disqualified from holding office due to his money laundering conviction, he was forced to be the last-minute replacement.

"I never imagined this," the new Panama president-elect told supporters. Despite being a replacement, he won thanks to the overwhelming support of Martinelli, who was the clear frontrunner before he was disqualified.

Despite lacking Martinelli's charisma, Mulino coasted by the campaign period by constantly mentioning the former president and riding on his popularity. On the other hand, Martinelli, who is hiding inside the Nicaraguan Embassy, has constantly campaigned for his replacement online.

The 64-year-old lawyer made a name for himself under Martinelli's administration, serving as his Minister of Security. He was then tapped to become his running mate after Martinelli's wife declined the position. As the running mate, he instantly became the former president's replacement after Martinelli was legally disqualified.

Ricardo Martinelli Constantly Campaigned for Jose Raul Mulino During the Panama Elections

Martinelli was given political asylum by Nicaraguan dictator Daniel Ortega. However, Panama refused to give him safe passage. He is now stuck inside the Nicaraguan Embassy and cannot leave; otherwise, he will be arrested for various crimes.

"Mulino seems a little tough, but he is a good guy, serious, and is the only one prepared to take on this great challenge and knows how the economy works to lift the country," Martinelli told supporters in a video to his supporters. The former president did not skip a beat to campaign for his replacement and constantly showered his former minister with praise.

Martinelli was convicted to 10 years in prison for money laundering. He was previously arrested in Miami and was sent back to Panama. The US has included his name in its Latin American corruption list and has previously sanctioned him after his arrest. He constantly tried to have his conviction repealed, but after all his appeals were used up, he fled to the Nicaraguan Embassy.

New Panama President-Elect Jose Raul Mulino Promised To Close the Darien Gap

As for how he might affect the immigration crisis, Mulino previously promised as a candidate that he plans to stop the flow of migrants going through the country by completely closing the Panama side of the deadly stretch of jungle between Panama and Colombia known as the Darien Gap.

"The border of the United States, instead of being in Texas, moved to Panama," said Mulino in a campaign speech, lamenting the thousands of migrants passing through the Darien Gap from Colombia. "We're going to close the Darién and we're going to repatriate all these people."

However, experts raised their eyebrows over this campaign promise as the Darien Gap remains one of the most dangerous stretches of jungle in the world and has been described to be almost impossible to tame, let alone police, to stop the flow of migrants.

READ MORE: Panama: 5 Dead, 1 Missing After Migrant Smuggling Boat Capsizes

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Rick Martin

WATCH: Panama's new president-elect Mulino and his supporters celebrate victory - Associated Press