President José Raúl Mulino recently confirmed his meeting with Nicaragua’s new ambassador, Jessica Yaoska Padilla Leiva, where they discussed the situation of former President Ricardo Martinelli.
The discussion highlighted Martinelli’s ongoing asylum at the Nicaraguan Embassy in Panama City, which has now lasted for a year.
During a press conference, Mulino shared details of his invitation to Padilla Leiva and revealed that he conveyed a personal message to Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega, reflecting the importance of the Martinelli issue in diplomatic relations.
Martinelli faces health challenges, including a hiatal hernia, and requires a passport to obtain necessary medical care.
Mulino expressed openness to facilitating this process once an official request is made, indicating a willingness to address the humanitarian aspects of the former president’s situation.
“Yes, I spoke with her yesterday, I invited her here to the presidency in the morning, we talked and I sent a personal message to President Daniel Ortega (pictured below left with Ricardo Martinelli right) with great respect, which I cannot make public at this time out of basic courtesy, but I did have her here yesterday. The Martinelli issue is the topic, of course,” the president responded without offering further details about the conversation content.
The president had previously indicated that once the new ambassador was confirmed, issues related to Martinelli’s status would be discussed.
On February 7 of 2025 Ricardo Martinelli completed one year of asylum in the Nicaraguan Embassy.
Martinelli suffers from a hiatal hernia and needs a passport to receive medical care. Regarding this situation, Mulino stressed that he has no objection to this taking place, but he had not received any official request on this matter.