Panama President Mulino Made Statements in Costa Rica that were Criticized

The President of the Republic, José Raúl Mulino, reacted today through his social networks to the criticism received for his recent statements in Costa Rica. In his message, Mulino stated: “I have given this reaction a lot of thought. Those who are now tearing their hair out, writing editorials, and talking about threats to the Electoral Tribunal (TE) are the same ones who, directly or indirectly, didn’t want my candidacy to be viable. I had to defend it against an entire, powerful, and entrenched system that still doesn’t rest. What they’re doing today is the typical hypocrisy that distinguishes them and the poverty of their opportunism, many of whom weren’t even active players before but are now protagonists of their own making.

There you have it—media outlets and opinions.”  During his official visit to Costa Rica, the Panamanian president reaffirmed his commitment to electoral transparency and the guarantee that the popular will of the people will always be respected in the Panamanian elections. Furthermore, he recalled that during his conversations with various political figures, he warned them that the country could be plunged into a crisis if the constitutionality of his candidacy were declared illegal, thus affecting the popular will of the Panamanian people. This situation ultimately did not occur, thanks to the favorable ruling of the Supreme Court of Justice, which validated his participation in the presidential elections. 

Panama’s Electoral Tribunal Expresses its Position Following Statements by President Mulino

The Electoral Tribunal reaffirmed its commitment to democratic order and reiterated that threats have no place in a State governed by the rule of law, highlighting the independence and transparency that characterize the electoral body.  The Plenary of the Electoral Tribunal (TE) of Panama expressed its disagreement with the statements made by President José Raúl Mulino, who, during an official visit to Costa Rica , asserted that he had warned the TE magistrates in 2024 that he would ” set the country ablaze” if he was not allowed to run as a presidential candidate. The TE explained that the presidential candidacy of the Realizando Metas party was challenged, which was resolved through an Agreement in March 2024, two months before the general elections. 

The Court stressed that all decisions made during the electoral process were based on strict compliance with the Constitution and the laws of the country.  Since its reorganization in 1990, the Electoral Tribunal has been responsible for organizing free, transparent, and democratic elections, always respecting the popular will as expressed at the ballot box. This approach has been recognized by various international organizations that endorse the integrity of the Panamanian electoral system.   The Electoral Tribunal reaffirmed its commitment to democratic order and reiterated that threats have no place in a State governed by the rule of law, highlighting the independence and transparency that characterize the electoral body.