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.
