5th May 2024

José Raúl Mulino is the new President-elect of Panama with 34.23% of the popular vote. With 78% turnout, the highest since the end of military rule in 1989, Mulino triumphed over nearest rival Ricardo Lombana who polled 24.6%. Mulino, who needed a majority decision by Panama’s Supreme Court the day before the election to continue his campaign, has promised to close the  Darién Gap with almost 150,000 migrants having passed through so far in 2024. Mulino has also promised to “help” former running mate Ricardo Martinelli who has applied for political asylum in the Nicaragua embassy. Facing a US$20bn+ claim on the Minera Panama copper mine, Mulino has also called for a halt to the three arbitration demands. Critics have pointed out that the proposed cabinet of 17 only has three women in it after the first 14 positions were confirmed.

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