Martín Torrijos
Martín Erasto Torrijos Espino (born July 18, 1963 in Panama City ) is a Panamanian politician. He is the son of the military ruler and de facto head of state Omar Torrijos, who died on August 1, 1981 in a plane crash .
Life
On May 2, 2004, he was elected President of Panama (it was his second attempt after 1999). He accounted for 47.4%, the second-placed ex-President Guillermo Endara Galimany 30.9%, the candidate of the government camp, ex-Foreign Minister Aleman, 16.4% and the ex-Canal Minister Martínelli 5.3%. Torrijos took office on September 1, 2004. Vice-Presidents were Samuel Lewis Navarro and Rubén Arosemena.
He fought his election campaign with the slogan Sí, se puede (“Yes, it works”) and with the promise to fight corruption and create security and employment. During his tenure, he announced plans to widen the Panama Canal , a major investment of several billion euros. On the 30th anniversary of the agreement on the return of control of the canal from the USA to Panama, the expansion began on September 3, 2007.
Like his father Omar Torrijos , who is revered as a national hero in Panama by supporters , he is a member of the PRD ( Partido Revolucionario Democrático ). Torrijos is married to Vivian Fernández and has three children (Daniela, Martín Omar and Nicolás). His term ended on June 30, 2009.
2009 presidential election
In the presidential elections on May 3, 2009, the conservative camp's candidate, entrepreneur Ricardo Martinelli , was elected president (with an overwhelming majority of almost 60%). Martinelli took office on July 1, 2009.
Web links
- Official biography ( PDF file , 17 kB; English), Ministerio de la Presidencia (de la República de Panamá)
Individual evidence
- ^ Change of power in Panama , Deutsche Welle DW-World, May 3, 2009
| personal data | |
|---|---|
| SURNAME | Torrijos, Martín |
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES | Torrijos Espino, Martín Erasto (full name) |
| BRIEF DESCRIPTION | Panamanian politician |
| DATE OF BIRTH | July 18, 1963 |
| PLACE OF BIRTH | Panama City |