黑料社

PANAMA CITY 鈥� Panama denied a request from Nicaragua to allow safe passage for ex-President Ricardo Martinelli to leave the country, the foreign ministry said in a statement on Friday, after Nicaragua granted asylum to the former Panamanian leader.

Martinelli is a declared presidential candidate in Panama鈥檚 upcoming May election, but a nearly 11-year prison sentence handed down last year for money laundering has cast doubt on his ability to run for his old job.

The combative former leader moved to Nicaragua鈥檚 embassy after Panama鈥檚 top court rejected an appeal to annul the sentence.

Panama鈥檚 constitution bars anyone sentenced to a prison term of five years or more from serving as president, although electoral authorities have not announced any disqualification of candidates.

搁贰础顿:听Panama鈥檚 ex-President Martinelli sentenced to over 10 years in prison

Panama鈥檚 foreign ministry urged Nicaragua to avoid exceeding its functions, adding that any action or declaration Martinelli makes from the embassy that impacts Panama鈥檚 domestic policy will be seen as interference and have diplomatic consequences.

Hours after Panama鈥檚 statement, Nicaragua reaffirmed the asylum it granted to Martinelli, saying it was given for humanitarian reasons because the former president considers himself politically persecuted.

Martinelli has publicly said he considers his life to be in danger in Panama.

鈥淔ailure to recognize asylum and to deny safe conduct is a violation of the Conventions on Asylum,鈥� Nicaragua鈥檚 foreign ministry said in its own statement.

Martinelli鈥檚 running mate, vice presidential hopeful Jose Raul Mulino, wrote on X that he sees an international conflict coming between the two nations, noting that any asylum decision should be taken by the country it is directed at.

Earlier on Friday, senior U.S. diplomat Brian Nichols described Nicaragua鈥檚 decision to grant asylum to Martinelli as undermining the rule of law.