Panama Grants Safe Passage for Former President Ricardo Martinelli to Nicaragua

The Panamanian government has approved a safe passage for former President Ricardo Martinelli to travel to Nicaragua, where he has been granted asylum. Foreign Minister Javier Martinez-Acha announced on Thursday that the decision was made for “strictly humanitarian reasons” after Martinelli sought refuge in Nicaragua’s embassy in Panama City to avoid arrest following his conviction for money laundering.

Martinelli, who served as Panama’s president from 2009 to 2014, has been battling legal troubles after the country’s top court upheld his nearly 11-year prison sentence. On Thursday, the former leader took to Instagram to declare his innocence and confirmed that he would accept the safe passage to Nicaragua. His lawyers have yet to comment on his next steps.

Nicaragua, which granted Martinelli asylum in February last year, has previously provided asylum to former Salvadoran presidents Mauricio Funes and Salvador Sanchez. The move is expected to further strain relations between Panama and Nicaragua, as Martinelli’s legal battle has been a significant political controversy in Panama.

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