In brief
Colombia's decision to provide asylum comes as the ex-leader navigates legal battles and political claims surrounding his money laundering conviction.
In a significant political development, Colombia announced on Saturday the granting of asylum to Ricardo Martinelli, a former President of Panama, who has been residing in the Nicaraguan embassy in Panama City for over a year to avoid serving a prison sentence linked to a money-laundering conviction. The Colombian Foreign Ministry confirmed that arrangements were made for Martinelli's safe passage from the Nicaraguan embassy to a local airport, enabling him to travel to Bogotá, the Colombian capital. The 73-year-old ex-president confirmed his arrival in Colombia via social media, where he described his status as a political refugee.Martinelli, who was in office from 2009 to 2014, was convicted of money laundering in 2023. Prosecutors accused him of diverting funds from government contractors in order to finance his acquisition of a publishing house in 2010. He was sentenced to ten years in prison and hit with a $19 million fine. Despite his conviction being upheld on appeal by Panama’s Supreme Court, Martinelli maintains that the ruling was politically driven.Previously, Nicaragua had granted him asylum in 2024, where he lived in the embassy alongside his dog, Bruno. Initially, he announced intentions to run for election in Panama while hiding out in the embassy, but he was barred from doing so by the electoral tribunal due to his legal troubles. His prospective running mate, José Raúl Mulino, succeeded in the election with Martinelli's endorsement from inside the embassy.This unfolding saga emphasizes the complex interplay of politics, law, and the ongoing narrative of Martinelli's controversial administration, ultimately leading to his current asylum status in Colombia.
