• José Raúl Mulino, a former government minister, won Panama’s presidential election.

  • Mulino, representing the Democratic Revolutionary Party (PRD), secured a decisive victory over his closest rival, Ricardo Martinelli, a former president seeking a comeback. (Associated Press, BBC)

  • With nearly all votes counted, Mulino garnered around 60% of the vote, while Martinelli received approximately 35%. (The New York Times, Associated Press)

  • Mulino’s victory marks a significant shift in Panama’s political landscape, as the PRD regains control of the presidency after a five-year hiatus. (BBC)

  • Martinelli, who governed from 2009 to 2014, faced corruption allegations and spent nearly two years in U.S. custody before being extradited to Panama in 2018. (Associated Press)

  • The election was closely watched, with concerns raised about the potential return of Martinelli, who was seen as a polarizing figure. (The Washington Times)

  • Mulino campaigned on promises to combat corruption, address economic inequality, and strengthen Panama’s democratic institutions. (NPR)

  • International observers, including the Organization of American States (OAS), praised the electoral process as free and fair. (The New York Times)

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