Nicaragua: “a Country that has Neither God nor Law”
according to Panamanian President Jose Raul Mulino
“It’s quite a sui generis country when it comes to appealing to the application of the law. That doesn’t exist there. There is no law in Nicaragua,” says Raul Mulino.
HAVANA TIMES – Panamanian President Jose Raul Mulino warned that the summoning of the Nicaraguan ambassador to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs regarding the “statements” made by former president Ricardo Martinelli, who has been residing with asylum at the Nicaraguan embassy since February 2024, constitutes the “first warning” issued by the Executive branch.
“I asked the foreign minister to do this (…) to bring some order there, to ensure compliance with international asylum agreements. It’s as simple as that. Let’s not turn that embassy or any embassy into a political center or a hub for political or partisan activities, either in favor or against anyone,” Mulino stated during his weekly press conference on Thursday, December 12, 2024.
He added, “I hope the Republic of Nicaragua understands this, and this is the first warning we are issuing in this regard.”
“Let’s see what happens, and then we will act. I said this was the first decision made. In diplomatic language, when you summon an ambassador to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, it’s because the matter is serious—and it is. Above all, it cannot be allowed,” said Mulino when asked if he would take tougher measures in the future.
He emphasized: “Now, we are dealing with a country, Nicaragua, that has neither God nor law. We also must understand that we are not dealing with a regular country that respects international law; they do not respect international law, domestic law, or any rights in Nicaragua.”
Nicaragua, he continued, “is quite a sui generis country when it comes to appealing to the application of law. That doesn’t exist there. There is no law in Nicaragua.”
Political Context
The current president of Panama, Jose Raul Mulino, replaced Martinelli at the last minute in the presidential race this year after the former president was disqualified due to a corruption conviction.
Since taking office on July 1, Mulino has mentioned Martinelli less and less. However, he has appointed several officials from Martinelli’s administration to his government, in which he himself served as Minister of Security.
Panama Summons Nicaraguan Ambassador
The Panamanian government summoned Nicaraguan Ambassador Consuelo Sandoval Meza last week to express its “concern” over Martinelli’s statements. It requested that the embassy not become a “focal point for political meetings,” restricting itself “solely” to its asylum-related responsibilities, according to Panamanian Foreign Minister Javier Martinez-Acha on Wednesday.
Former Panamanian President Ricardo Martinelli (2009–2014) frequently uses his social media accounts from within the Nicaraguan Embassy, where he is residing with asylum, to comment on various local issues and reiterate that his current situation is part of alleged “political persecution.”
Last week, Panamanian Economy Minister Felipe Chapman remarked on a radio program that Martinelli is a “pathological liar” who “sows chaos” following a post by the former president commenting on a proposed bill to reform Social Security, introduced by the Executive and still under discussion in Parliament.
This is not the first time that Panama’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has formally expressed its rejection of Martinelli’s statements with the Nicaraguan Embassy. The previous government, led by Laurentino Cortizo (2019–2024), sent several notes expressing its “strong protest” against the “political-partisan” actions of the former president, as they are “illegal under international law.”
First published in Spanish by Confidencial and translated and posted in English by Havana Times.