In the message sent by the Secretary of State, Antony Blinken to the winner in the general elections, the standard bearer of the Realizing Goals and Alliance banners, emphasis is placed on the perspective of increasing joint efforts against illegal flows through the Darién jungle.
Blinken also noted that the northern country hopes for a strategic partnership to promote the shared objectives of both nations in terms of democratic governance and economic prosperity.
The message praises the bilateral relationship which has been consolidated for more than 100 years, based on strong economic, educational and family ties.
“Looking ahead, the United States will begin working with Panama on our common objectives of inclusive and sustainable economic growth, strengthening citizen security and cooperation to stop irregular migration through the Darién,” indicates that text. The statement also recognizes the people of Panama, who expressed their will and voice freely, as well as the work of the electoral observers of the Organization of American States.
The note takes place in the midst of a difficult relationship between Washington and former Panamanian president Ricardo Martinelli, now sheltered in the Nicaraguan embassy in this capital and sentenced to more than 10 years in prison for money laundering in the New Business case, to whom Mulino replaced that elected position.
Martinelli is also subject to a January 2023 sanction announced by Blinken himself regarding his designation as ineligible to enter the United States, due to participation in significant acts of corruption, by accepting bribes in exchange for inappropriately awarding government contracts during his term as head of state (2009-2014).
The day before in the general elections, with a participation close to 78 percent and more than 90 percent of the count, Mulino obtained 34.4 percent of the votes, compared to 25 percent for Ricardo Lombana, of the Other Path Movement, the 16 percent of former president Martín Torrijos (2004-2009), of the Popular Party; and the 11.2 percent achieved by Rómulo Roux, from Cambio Democrático and the Panameñista party, his closest rivals in that race.
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