The Colombian government announced on Saturday that it had granted asylum to Ricardo Martinelli, a former president of Panama, who had been taking refuge in the Nicaraguan embassy in Panama City for over a year to avoid a prison sentence for money laundering. Colombia’s Foreign Ministry stated that it arranged for Mr. Martinelli to travel from the Nicaraguan embassy to a local airport for a flight to Colombia. On social media, Mr. Martinelli, who led Panama from 2009 to 2014, confirmed his arrival in Bogotá and his status as a political refugee. In 2023, he was convicted of money laundering in a case involving funds obtained from government contractors for the purchase of a publishing house and sentenced to 10 years in prison. The Supreme Court of Panama upheld the conviction on appeal.
Mr. Martinelli claimed the case was politically motivated. Nicaragua granted him asylum last year and he stayed in its embassy in Panama City with his dog, Bruno. Initially, he intended to campaign in the Panamanian presidential election from the embassy. However, two months before the election, the electoral tribunal disqualified him due to his sentence. His running mate, José Raúl Mulino, took his place on the ballot and emphasized Mr. Martinelli’s legacy. Mr. Mulino won the election comfortably with Mr. Martinelli’s support from inside the embassy.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/11/world/americas/ricardo-martinelli-panama-colombia-asylum.html
