Colombia Grants Asylum to Former Panamanian President Ricardo Martinelli, 73, After Nicaraguan Embassy Refuge

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Updated May 12, 2025, 10:23 PM

Former Panamanian President Ricardo Martinelli, who was convicted on corruption charges, has been granted political asylum in Colombia. Martinelli, aged 73, had been seeking refuge in the Nicaraguan embassy in Panama City since February 2024 after his conviction. The Nicaraguan embassy eventually refused to continue sheltering him, leading to his departure and subsequent travel to Colombia on May 10, 2025, with a safe-conduct pass issued by the Panamanian government. Colombia's government officially confirmed the asylum grant, with President Gustavo Petro defending the decision as a humanitarian act and emphasizing Colombia's role as a land of asylum.

The move has sparked controversy and criticism in both Panama and Colombia, with some sectors denouncing the asylum due to Martinelli's corruption conviction. Martinelli expressed gratitude to President Petro for the asylum. The situation remains a subject of political debate in the region.

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Sources

noticiascaracol.com(7)elespectador.com(4)tvn-2.com(4)portafolio.co(4)

El Espectador

@elespectador

The business sector expressed its dissatisfaction with the confirmation of the Belt and Road initiative between Colombia and China. 🔗👇 https://t.co/Y7ve9DCKDZ

Portafolio

@Portafolioco

Colombia and China reinforced strategic alliance on the eve of the Forum with CELAC. The official visit of President Gustavo Petro (@petrogustavo) to Beijing opens a chapter with agreements focused on technology, education and consular cooperation. Details. ⬇️

teleSUR TV

@teleSURtv

#ENVIDEO 📹 | President Gustavo Petro affirms that both #Colombia 🇨🇴 and Latin America will achieve agreements on the Silk Road under the conditions of freedom and sovereignty. https://t.co/g0c5d63kcI