Panama’s former President Ricardo Martinelli has left the Nicaraguan embassy in Panama City for Colombia after being granted political asylum, Colombian authorities confirmed on Saturday.
Martinelli had taken refuge in the Nicaraguan embassy since February of last year, following the Panamanian Supreme Court’s decision to uphold his conviction on money laundering charges. The former president had been sentenced to more than ten years in prison in connection with a high-profile corruption case involving financial irregularities during his tenure.
In an official statement, Panamanian authorities said they facilitated Martinelli’s safe passage from the embassy to a nearby airport. The statement emphasized that the move was conducted “in full compliance with the obligations set forth in the 1928 Convention on Asylum and the 1933 Convention on Political Asylum.”
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Colombia’s Foreign Ministry acknowledged the decision to grant Martinelli asylum, stating that it aligned with “Colombia’s humanist tradition of protecting people who are persecuted for political reasons.”
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The high-profile transfer marks a significant moment in regional diplomacy, as Panama balances its commitment to judicial process with international norms regarding political asylum, and Colombia affirms its longstanding position as a haven for individuals claiming political persecution.
