José Raúl Mulino

Upon taking office, Mulino promised to 'close' the Darién and restricted authorised routes while developing migrant return flights with the United States. Human Rights Watch warned that weaknesses in Panama's asylum system and rapid returns could expose vulnerable people to risks of refoulement and inadequate access to protection.

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Political responsibility

Following Cobre Panamá's closure after the 2023 unconstitutionality ruling, Mulino's government gradually authorised certain operations: sale of previously extracted copper, restarting the power plant and an environmental audit. By July 2026, it was considering establishing a state mining company or a public-private arrangement with First Quantum to enable reopening.

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Political responsibility

On 29 January 2026, Panama's Supreme Court declared unconstitutional the legal basis of the contract allowing Panama Ports Company, a CK Hutchison subsidiary, to operate the Balboa and Cristóbal terminals. Mulino's government subsequently took control of the assets and temporarily assigned operations to other operators. PPC initiated international arbitration seeking more than $2 billion, while Mulino publicly rejected its allegations.

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Political responsibility

A security memorandum concluded under Mulino expanded the ability of US military personnel to use certain Panamanian facilities temporarily. The agreement sparked demonstrations and allegations of diminished sovereignty over the canal amid pressure from Washington over Chinese influence.

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Political responsibility

A social security reform supported by Mulino triggered weeks of strikes and demonstrations, particularly in Bocas del Toro. In June 2025, the government temporarily suspended several constitutional guarantees in the province following violence and blockades; hundreds were detained and human rights organisations expressed concern.

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Political responsibility

Mulino's government facilitated the departure to Colombia of former President Ricardo Martinelli, his mentor and political ally, who had taken refuge in the Nicaraguan embassy following his money laundering conviction. The episode reignited criticism of the president's political closeness to a convicted leader.

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Political responsibility

Mulino became the replacement presidential candidate for Ricardo Martinelli after the latter was disqualified following his money laundering conviction. A constitutional challenge argued, among other things, that Mulino had not been nominated through a primary and was standing without a vice-presidential candidate.

Attribution

Directly implicated

Mulino's appointment of his brother as Panama's ambassador to Portugal prompted public debate over nepotism, public ethics and the concentration of diplomatic positions among people close to the president.

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Political responsibility

Mulino was held in pre-trial detention and prosecuted in a case concerning the purchase of 19 radars from Finmeccanica under a contract worth approximately $125 million signed when he was Security Minister. Following procedural annulments and several appeals, the courts upheld a provisional dismissal (non-lieu) in 2020, leaving open the legal possibility of reopening proceedings if new evidence emerged.

Attribution

Directly implicated

During strikes and demonstrations in Bocas del Toro in 2010, security forces used violence that caused deaths and hundreds of injuries, including numerous eye injuries from shotgun pellets. Mulino, then Security Minister, defended a firm approach to the protests.

State of the evidence

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Attribution

Political responsibility