Panama is holding a presidential election on Sunday while facing an odd situation: The most prominent player in the race is not on the ballot.
Ricardo Martinelli, a former president of the Central American nation and known to his supporters as “El loco,” or the crazy one, had been a top contender until he was disqualified because of a money laundering conviction.
But from inside the Nicaraguan Embassy in Panama City where he was granted asylum, Mr. Martinelli has been strenuously campaigning for José Raúl Mulino, a former public security minister who was his running mate and took his place on the ballot.
Mr. Mulino has led the polls in a field of eight candidates, vowing to return Panama to the economic growth it experienced under Mr. Martinelli, who was president from 2009 to 2014.
Persons:
Ricardo Martinelli, El, Martinelli, José Raúl, Mulino
Organizations:
Central, Nicaraguan Embassy
Locations:
Panama, Central American, Nicaraguan, Panama City