Ricardo Martinelli | |
---|---|
31st President of Panama | |
In office July 1, 2009 – June 30, 2014 | |
Vice President |
|
Preceded by | Martín Torrijos |
Succeeded by | Juan Carlos Varela |
Personal details | |
Born | Ricardo Alberto Martinelli Berrocal March 11, 1951 Panama City, Panama |
Political party | Democratic Change (until 2020) Realizing Goals (2021–present) |
Spouse | Marta Linares (1978–present) |
Alma mater | University of Arkansas (BSBA) |
Religion | Roman Catholicism |
Ricardo Alberto Martinelli Berrocal GColIH (born March 11, 1951) is a Panamanian politician and businessman who served as the 31st President of Panama from July 1, 2009 to June 30, 2014.
Martinelli was sentenced to ten years in prison in 2024 for embezzlement of public funds and money laundering. He was accused of using public money to buy several Panamanian media outlets in 2010, when he was president. He was implicated in several other corruption cases during his presidency (Odebrecht, New Business, Financial Pacific, Blue Apple, among others); he is facing several trials.[1]