In Panama, voters elected a new president Sunday. Laurentino “Nito” Cortizo of the centrist Democratic Revolutionary Party won a narrow victory over his opponents in an election dominated by voter concerns over government corruption and growing economic inequality. In his victory speech, Cortizo pledged to root out corruption and impunity for leaders involved in misconduct.
President-elect Laurentino Cortizo: “I owe you, Panama and its people, to not get into power to steal or pay favors to economic or political groups—nobody! Today, I repeat, in Panama, there will be no untouchables, not even if they are great businessmen or lawmakers, not even the president.”