Panama: Who is José Raúl Mulino, Martinelli’s dolphin who wants to “close” the Darién jungle

José Raúl Mulino, who comfortably won the presidency of Panama supported by former president Ricardo Martinelli, is a right-wing lawyer with a reputation for authoritarianism: “I will close the Darién,” he promised during the campaign about the Panamanian jungle that migrants cross on their way to the United States. At age 64, he left his farm and horses to run for vice president under Martinelli, whom he replaced after being disqualified following the confirmation of his money laundering conviction.

Mulinowho at the last minute overcame a legal obstacle that was about to annul his replacement applicationHe prevailed over seven other candidates with 34% of the vote, nine points above his closest rival, the center-right Ricardo Lombana.

LOOK: José Raúl Mulino wins the elections and will be the next president of Panama

Irascible and direct, he admits to having a strong character. “The government is in charge and, if it makes a mistake, it goes back and orders it,” he recently stated.

Without hesitation he proposed as a solution to the immigration crisis “close Darien”, the inhospitable jungle bordering Colombia where half a million people will pass by in 2023. “The United States border has moved to Panama instead of Texas”he assured.

When He was Minister of Security in the Martinelli government (2009-2014), during a wave of protests He shouted “fucking thugs” at a group of workers blocking traffic.

Although conflicted, he did not attend any presidential debates, very sure of the popularity of his mentor, who He sought asylum at the Nicaraguan embassy in Februarywhere he campaigned for him.

On Sunday’s election day, after voting, he visited Martinelli at the diplomatic legation. “We’ll win”, They said with a big hug.

Panamanian presidential candidate José Raúl Mulino (left) with former president Ricardo Martinelli, who seeks asylum at the Nicaraguan embassy in Panama. (EFE/José Raúl Mulino Campaign). (José Raúl Mulino Campaign/)

Under the shadow of the “Crazy”

The role you will play Martinelli in a government of Mulino On July 1st, it’s a complete unknown. His adversaries suspect he could give him safe passage to leave the embassy. Some even think that it will be the former ruler who will exercise the power behind the throne.

Mulino owes his victory to the thousands of followers of Martinelliwho they call “Crazy”, and who dream of a new version of the years of economic prosperity.

“Martinelli’s vote is what brings me here,” recognized in campaign Mulinofor whom the trial in which his former boss was sentenced to 11 years in prison was “a farce”.

As party candidate Realizing Goals (RM, initials of its founder Martinelli)promised to build a railway from the capital to his homeland Chiriquíon the border with Costa Rica, and reform the collapsing pension system.

Also build a hospital for pets that will be called “Bruno”, the dog’s name Martinelli who accompanies him at the diplomatic legation.

“To the left… never”

Mulinospecialist in maritime law, in 2013 he led the capture of a North Korean cargo ship that, violating a UN embargo, was transporting Cuban air force combat planes will be renovated.

In the 1980s, He was part of the so-called Civilist Crusade, a group that opposes the general Manuel Antonio Noriega, which was overthrown with the US invasion in 1989.

After the end of dictatorshipwas once chancellor in the democratic government of Guilherme Endara (1989-1994). In the administration of Martinelli He was briefly Minister of Government and Justice and then of Security.

After leaving the government, he was in pre-trial detention for alleged corruption between 2015 and 2016., but was released due to procedural errors. He says he was a “political prisoner” during this period.

“Without this being written in stone, I am a center-right person, I will never go left,” he said a few weeks ago.

Catholic, Mulino He is married to Maricel Cohen, owner of a pet business.. He says he loves spending time among chickens and rabbits on the farm his wife gave him when he turned 50.

Source: Elcomercio