Panama's President-elect Jose Raul Mulino told a cheering crowd moments after he won Sunday's general election that he was "no one's puppet", having parachuted into the presidential race late to replace his former boss Ricardo Martinelli who was barred from running after a money laundering conviction.

José Raúl Mulino said he was practically retired from politics just over six months ago.Now, he’ll be Panama’s president for the next five years.Standing before a pack of supporters Sunday night, Mulino said: “I never imagined this.

Panamanians will elect a new president on Sunday, with eight candidates set to appear on the ballot, and polls showing mixed rankings among the five frontrunners. The result will be final, as Panama's electoral rules do not require a runoff.

Mulino, who won 34.3% of vote, pledges to welcome business and investment without forgetting ‘those who are hungry’

Mr Mulino will now not only face the challenge of how to make good on that promise but also of tackling a drought which has hampered the operation of the Panama Canal. Read: Can the Panama Canal save itself?

Panama City, Panama - May 5, 2024 Jose Raul Mulino won Panama's single-round election with 34% of the vote, with more than 94% counted, and upon receiving the news of his victory from the Electoral Tribunal pledged to form "a government of national unity as soon as possible".

With the absence of a prominent player in the race, Jose Raul Mulino, a former public security minister, emerged victorious in Panama's Presidential elections held on Sunday, The New York Post (NYT) reported.