Presidential candidate Laurentino Cortizo, with the Democratic Revolutionary Party, speaks to supporters in Panama City, Monday, May 6, 2019. (Arnulfo Franco/Associated Press)PANAMA CITY — Panama’s Electoral Court declared opposition candidate Laurentino Cortizo the “virtual winner” in the country’s tight presidential election late Sunday. Cortizo, of the Democratic Revolutionary Party, had 33% of the votes versus 31% for Roux, from former President Ricardo Martinelli’s Democratic Change party. Roux highlighted during his campaign that Panama’s economy grew only 3.8% last year, versus a 10.7% expansion in 2012, when Martinelli was president. Turnout was strong at 72% for Panama’s sixth presidential election since a U.S. invasion ousted strongman Manuel Noriega in 1989.

Source: Washington Post May 06, 2019 00:16 UTC