Panama’s Mulino wins presidency with support from convicted former leader

Panamanians began voting in Sunday’s general election to choose one of eight contenders to be the nation’s next president in a race where much of the attention has been focused on a corruption-tainted former president holed up in Nicaragua’s embassy.
Following weeks of campaign events that featured catchy reggaeton songs and popular entertainers, over 3 million voters will decide who is best placed to fix Panama’s pressing economic problems, tackle corruption and restore the country’s reputation as an investment haven.
Jose Raul Mulino, a former minister who replaced popular ex-president Ricardo Martinelli on the ballot after Martinelli was barred from running due to a money laundering conviction, is leading in opinion polls.
Mulino has promised to usher in prosperity and to keep out of jail Martinelli, who has played a key role in the elections from within the walls of Nicaragua’s embassy in Panama City.