Laurentino Cortizo is the new president of Panama. Known as Nito, this businessman and livestock trader won by a narrow margin of 2%, and will take up the presidency until 2024. His campaign promises are centered upon revitalising Panama’s prestige abroad, damaged by the Panama Papers scandal of 2016.
He has gained the support of his followers who see him as a humble man who is sensitive to social issues, however he has also attracted controversy among his opponents who claim he is surrounded by corruption scandals.
At 66 years old, Cortizo represents a continued consolidation of democracy in a country which celebrated its sixth presidential elections after the US invasion of 1986 which put an end to the dictatorship of Manuel Noriega.
Panama, like other Central American countries, must face the colossal challenge of reducing inequality and poverty within indigenous communities and create migratory policies that respect human rights and deal with the pressure currently experienced at the border in a balanced and humanitarian way.
However, Panama’s identity depends on the worldwide traffic that crosses its canal, and its international trade treaties, which Cortizo wishes to revisit, which will be crucial for the future of the country.
Emerging inequalities
Beyond cleaning up Panama’s name after the notorious Panama Papers scandal, Cortizo takes on the presidency in a country where rural inequality and poverty is increasingly evident. The drastic contrast between Panama City and the neglect of the 12 indigenous territories, known as the conmarcas, is surprising, and these areas have little access to health and education.
Data from the World Bank indicates that in 2015, poverty in rural areas of Panama was 86% up against 6.5% in urban areas.
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