New President of Panama, Raúl Mulino: How a Longtime Politician Seized Power in a Controversial Manner

A seasoned politician with a long history in public service, José Raúl Mulino has been elected president of Panama. At 64 years old, he is a former minister from Chiriquí and was the vice-presidential candidate for Ricardo Martinelli just two months ago. However, 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 last Friday. His campaign focused on promises to bring back the economic boom of a decade ago, associating himself with the prosperous times during Martinelli’s presidency. He emphasized his commitment to tackling unemployment and poverty, drawing on nostalgia for the infrastructure investments and growth experienced during that time.

Mulino has a long history in public service, having 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.