The government of Panama does not allow former president Ricardo Martinelli to leave the country, rejecting a related request from Nicaragua that granted him asylum.

A few days ago, Panama’s Supreme Court rejected a last-ditch appeal by 72-year-old Martinelli – who has been aiming to return to power by announcing his candidacy in May’s presidential election – to overturn his nearly 11-year prison sentence for money laundering from criminal activity.

The former president of Panama (2009-2014) fled to the Nicaraguan embassy, ​​where his request for asylum was accepted.

Panama’s foreign ministry warned that any reference to political matters by Martinelli – during his stay at the embassy – would be perceived as “Nicaragua’s interference in the country’s internal affairs” and would have “diplomatic consequences”.

Yesterday Friday, US Deputy Secretary of State Brian Nichols criticized Nicaragua for its decision to grant asylum to the former president of Panama, saying it undermined the rule of law.

In the past, Nicaragua has granted asylum to two former presidents of neighboring El Salvador, Mauricio Funes and Salvador Sanchez.