Panama's Ricardo Martinelli vows to run for presidency despite recent money-laundering conviction
ABC News
A former Panamanian president convicted of money laundering is defiantly proclaiming his intention to run in the upcoming presidential election despite facing a possible ban on seeking office
PANAMA CITY, Panama -- A former president convicted of money laundering defiantly proclaimed his intention Saturday to run in Panama's upcoming presidential election despite facing a possible ban on seeking office.
Ricardo Martinelli was officially presented as the candidate of the Realizing Goals Party at a rally in Panama City where his supporters waved blue and white flags and chanted that they will stand with him in his struggle with Panamanian officials.
In a speech, the former president and businessman said he was not guilty of any crimes and accused authorities of persecuting him as the country gets ready to hold elections May 5.
“The only crime I have committed is to defend the people of Panama, to defend our country from those who want to steal hope,” Martinelli said.
Martinelli, a conservative known for investing heavily in infrastructure projects, was Panama's president in 2009-2014.
