Martin torrijos espino biography

Martin Espino

President of Panama
Date of Birth:
Country: Panama

Content:
  1. Martin Torrijos Espino: A Panamanian Statesman
  2. Early Career
  3. Ascendance to the Presidency
  4. Presidency
  5. Later Years

Martin Torrijos Espino: A Panamanian Statesman

Early Life and Education

Born on July 18, , in Chitré, Herrera, Panama, Martin Torrijos is the son of Omar Torrijos, a military leader and social reformer who ruled Panama from to Torrijos holds degrees in political science and economics from Texas A&M University in the United States and is a graduate of the St. John's Northwestern Military Academy in Delafield, Wisconsin.

Early Career

During the presidency of Ernesto Pérez Balladares (), Torrijos served as Deputy Minister of Government and Justice. In , he ran for president but lost to Mireya Moscoso of the Arnulfista Party, whose husband had been overthrown by his father in the coup.

Ascendance to the Presidency

Moscoso's five-year term was marked by corruption scandals and incompetence, leaving her government with approval ratings of only 15%. In the presidential election, Torrijos capitalized on this discontent and was elected President by a wide margin, garnering 47% of the vote and defeating three other candidates, including former President and Socialist Party candidate Guillermo Endara.

Presidency

Torrijos took office on September 1, , and implemented tax and social security reforms. He also led the successful effort to expand the Panama Canal, which was approved in a national referendum in Torrijos was an outspoken advocate for Puerto Rican independence from the United States and sponsored a Caribbean Congress on the issue. He met with several US leaders, including George W. Bush, to discuss the matter.

Later Years

In , Torrijos met with Raul Castro in Cuba to discuss energy deals. In the presidential election, he was succeeded by Ricardo Martinelli of the opposition Democratic Change party. Due to Panama's constitutional ban on consecutive presidential terms, Torrijos was ineligible to run for re-election.