Panama has approved safe passage for former President Ricardo Martinelli to leave the country and relocate to Nicaragua, where he has been granted political asylum. The move comes after Martinelli took refuge inside Nicaragua’s embassy in Panama City to avoid arrest following his conviction for money laundering.
Foreign Minister Javier Martinez-Acha confirmed the decision during a press conference on Thursday, stating the safe conduct was granted "for strictly humanitarian reasons." Martinelli, who governed Panama from 2009 to 2014, was sentenced to nearly 11 years in prison after Panama’s Supreme Court upheld the ruling and denied his appeals.
On Thursday, Martinelli shared on Instagram that he would accept the safe passage and relocate to Nicaragua while continuing to assert his innocence. His legal team has yet to issue a statement on the development.
Nicaragua had granted Martinelli asylum in February last year. The country has a history of offering protection to political figures from neighboring nations, including former Salvadoran presidents Mauricio Funes and Salvador Sanchez.
Martinelli’s case has been closely watched in Panama, as it underscores ongoing concerns about corruption and political accountability in the region. His move to Nicaragua may spark further debate, especially amid regional tensions over the use of asylum as a political shield.
This high-profile transfer could impact Panama-Nicaragua diplomatic relations, with observers questioning whether asylum is being used to evade justice. Martinelli’s relocation also raises concerns about the precedent being set for future corruption cases in Central America.