Laurentino "Nito" Cortizo won Panama's presidential election yesterday, in a race that turned out to be unexpectedly close. Cortizo had 33 percent of the votes, while his closest opponent, Romulo Roux, had 31 percent. Roux, from former President Ricardo Martinelli's right-wing Democratic Change party, alleged irregularities and refused to concede. (There is no runoff in Panamanian elections.) Panama's electoral authorities unofficially declared Cortizo the winner this morning, with 95 percent of the votes tallied. The final announcement will be Thursday. (
Cortizo wins in Panama (May 6, 2019)
Cortizo wins in Panama (May 6, 2019)
Cortizo wins in Panama (May 6, 2019)
Laurentino "Nito" Cortizo won Panama's presidential election yesterday, in a race that turned out to be unexpectedly close. Cortizo had 33 percent of the votes, while his closest opponent, Romulo Roux, had 31 percent. Roux, from former President Ricardo Martinelli's right-wing Democratic Change party, alleged irregularities and refused to concede. (There is no runoff in Panamanian elections.) Panama's electoral authorities unofficially declared Cortizo the winner this morning, with 95 percent of the votes tallied. The final announcement will be Thursday. (