- Ricardo Martinelli
Ricardo Martinelli (born 11 March 1952, in Panama City) is a Panamanian center-right politician and businessman that believes in free market.
Biography
He is a very active entrepeneur. As a leader and an investor, he currently acts as President and Chairman of the Board of “Importaciones Ricamar” and the Super 99 chain (the biggest in Panamá); he is Chairman of the board of sugar mill “Central Azucarero La Victoria”, insurance company “Ancon”, “Global Bank”, wheat mill “Molino Oro del Norte” to mention just a few.
After obtaining an MBA from INCAE Business School (No.1 in Latin America), he started working as an executive in Citibank Panama and started his small empire shortly thereafter with the quaint sum of $1,671. This first investment would become what is now the No.1 supermarket chain in Panama. His hard work, as a young man, of tending to a small store after the bank closed paid off in a big way. Little by little he grew into a succesfull businessman and director of several companies such as “Panasal, S.A.” salt mill, “Televisora Nacional de Panama” TV station and “Direct TV” of Panama.
During the presidency of Ernesto Pérez Balladares (1994–1999): he served from September 1994 to July 1996 as Social Security Director where he was able to implement a modernization plan for the institution, the extension of the working hours in all departments of the different policlinics in order to meet the demand for medical attention. He was able during his administration the establishment of the 911 emergency systen. Amongst other of his achievments are the procurement of high technology medical equipment and proposed a remodelation of the infrastructure.
During the presidency of Mireya Moscoso (1999–2004): He served as Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Panama Canal Authority and Minister for Canal Affairs from September 1999 to January 2003. He was able to push through and approve the current expansion proyect of the canal under his term. He obtained a recognition for his effective administration and the modernization and expansion efforts from the International Maritime Association (IMA) headquartered in London.
In the 2004 Panamanian presidential election he was the candidate of the Democratic Change party (CD), of which he is its President. He received a recognition from medical staff for his outstanding administration.
Also in October 2004, Ricardo Martinelli founded "The Ricardo Martinelli Foundation", of which he is its fundraiser and gives more than 8,000 scholarships a year to poor students with good scholastic average.
He is the Opposition leader of Martin Torrijos Government and describes himself as a compassionate conservative. Ricardo Martinelli announced that he will run for President of the Republic of Panama, in May 2009. He stands for a change in the status quo represented by the two traditional parties, PRD and Panameñista, which take turns at the office and have under the table deals to protect each other. The current Torrijos administration has been critized for a rise in corruption.
As oposition leader Ricardo Martinelli will have to battle the PRD candidate Balbina Herrera (an extreme leftist) that has been connected in aiding the FARC and as a pupil of General Manuel Antonio Noriega. Her continuous travels to Venezuela and secret meetings with Hugo Chavez have led people to believe that she is receiving financial aid from him despite her constant denials. Current sentiment in the country is that if Herrera wins, Panama will be engulfed in the left-wing tendency in South America.
Making a point that he stands for change he has also declared he will not go in alliance with the Panameñista party's candidate Juan Carlos Varela due to his negative vote to the canal expansion project, support from expresident Mireya Moscoso and represent that same continuum that has mired the country with a great social disparity and corruption. He is married with Marta Linares de Martinelli, with three children.
References
External links
* [http://www.martinelli2009.com Martinelli's campaign website]
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