 |
Martin EspinoPresident of Panama
Date of Birth: 18.07.1963
Country:  Panama |
Content:
- Martin Torrijos Espino: A Panamanian Statesman
- Early Career
- Ascendance to the Presidency
- Presidency
- Later Years
Martin Torrijos Espino: A Panamanian Statesman
Early Life and EducationBorn on July 18, 1963, in Chitré, Herrera, Panama, Martin Torrijos is the son of Omar Torrijos, a military leader and social reformer who ruled Panama from 1968 to 1981. Torrijos holds degrees in political science and economics from Texas A&M University in the United States and is a graduate of the St. John's Northwestern Military Academy in Delafield, Wisconsin.
Early Career
During the presidency of Ernesto Pérez Balladares (1994-1999), Torrijos served as Deputy Minister of Government and Justice. In 1999, he ran for president but lost to Mireya Moscoso of the Arnulfista Party, whose husband had been overthrown by his father in the 1968 coup.
Ascendance to the Presidency
Moscoso's five-year term was marked by corruption scandals and incompetence, leaving her government with approval ratings of only 15%. In the 2004 presidential election, Torrijos capitalized on this discontent and was elected President by a wide margin, garnering 47% of the vote and defeating three other candidates, including former President and Socialist Party candidate Guillermo Endara.
Presidency
Torrijos took office on September 1, 2004, and implemented tax and social security reforms. He also led the successful effort to expand the Panama Canal, which was approved in a national referendum in 2006. Torrijos was an outspoken advocate for Puerto Rican independence from the United States and sponsored a Caribbean Congress on the issue. He met with several US leaders, including George W. Bush, to discuss the matter.
Later Years
In 2008, Torrijos met with Raul Castro in Cuba to discuss energy deals. In the 2009 presidential election, he was succeeded by Ricardo Martinelli of the opposition Democratic Change party. Due to Panama's constitutional ban on consecutive presidential terms, Torrijos was ineligible to run for re-election.
