In brief
The Colombian government granted asylum to former Panamanian President Ricardo Martinelli, allowing him to escape his money laundering conviction.
Ricardo Martinelli, the former president of Panama from 2009 to 2014, has been granted asylum by Colombia after seeking refuge in the Nicaraguan embassy in Panama City. This decision was officially announced by Colombia's Foreign Ministry on Saturday, making it possible for Martinelli, 73, to leave the embassy and travel to Bogotá in a diplomatic vehicle.After being convicted of money laundering in 2023, Martinelli had been under the threat of a 10-year prison sentence and a hefty fine of $19 million. His conviction stemmed from allegations that he received illicit funds from government contractors linked to a publishing house deal from 2010. He has consistently claimed the case against him is the result of political persecution.Martinelli initially sought asylum in Nicaragua last year, where he spent considerable time at the embassy amidst limited facilities and his pet dog, Bruno. His plans to participate in the 2024 presidential elections from within the embassy were dashed when Panama’s electoral tribunal disqualified him after the conviction. Ultimately, his running mate, José Raúl Mulino, substituted for him, successfully winning the election, while Martinelli offered support from his refuge.Upon his arrival in Colombia, Martinelli took to social media to express his gratitude for the asylum granted to him as a political refugee, signaling a new chapter in his life after a turbulent political career.
