José Raúl Mulino, a 64-year-old lawyer and former minister from Chiriquí, has been elected president of Panama in an unexpected turn of events. Just two months ago, he was running as the vice-presidential candidate for Ricardo Martinelli, but 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 just last Friday.
Mulino campaigned on promises to bring back the economic boom of a decade ago, associating himself with the prosperous times during Martinelli’s presidency. He has emphasized his commitment to tackling unemployment and poverty, drawing on nostalgia for the infrastructure investments and growth experienced during Martinelli’s term in office.
A seasoned politician, Mulino has a long history in public service, including involvement in the opposition movement that led to the downfall of Manuel Antonio Noriega. He 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 criticism and allegations of abuse of authority.
Despite controversy surrounding his past 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. His close association with Martinelli and his commitment to reviving the country’s economy have positioned him as a formidable leader in the eyes of many Panamanians.