From Colombia, where he remains in asylum, former president Ricardo Martinelli once again placed his political future and that of Realizing Goals (RM) at the center of the electoral debate. The former president questioned the reforms to the Electoral Code being discussed by the National Assembly and assured that there are sectors that seek to modify the rules to prevent him from occupying the presidency of the party again.
“I just found out about a dirty political trick that they want to play on me in the Assembly regarding the electoral reforms when I get to the second debate,” Martinelli said in a publicly released statement.
According to the former president, the changes would seek to prevent him from exercising the presidency of Realizing Goals again. In his opinion, the objective would be to weaken both his leadership and the structure of the political group he founded.
“They believe that this way they will behead me and the party,” he said.
Martinelli’s statements occur while the National Assembly begins the discussion of the electoral reforms proposed for the next electoral process. The president of the Legislature, Shirley Castañedas, and the leaders of the caucuses met on September 16 with representatives of the Electoral Tribunal to learn about the changes proposed to the Electoral Code and the new configuration of the electoral circuits. The discussion in the Government Commission began this week.
The former president did not identify in his statement which specific article or proposal of the reforms would prevent him from holding the presidency of RM. He also did not detail which deputy or bench is promoting, according to his version, this modification.
Martinelli maintained that the changes are part of a series of actions that, according to his interpretation, seek to remove him from political activity.
“First, they took me out of the political fray, they discredited me, they exiled me, they made me fight with my family, with business partners, in short, they have tried everything,” he stated.
The former ruler added that he hopes to return to Panama and that he will continue to defend both his interests and those of the party.
“I am going to fight and defend my party, I am going to defend myself and I hope to see you soon in Panama,” he said.
Martinelli’s political scenario changed decisively after the New Business case ruling. The former president received a sentence of 128 months, equivalent to 10 years and 8 months in prison, for the crime of money laundering. The sentence also established a fine and other financial sanctions.
In April 2026, the full Supreme Court of Justice declared the ruling in the New Business case constitutional, resolving unconstitutionality claims related to the process.
