Ricardo Martinelli is begging for money on the streets to revive the economy.

Former President Ricardo Martinelli warned about the economic situation in Panama , highlighting the lack of jobs and “chen chen” (money) on the streets. Through his social media accounts, he expressed concern about the suspension of payments and the economic stagnation, which, in his opinion, requires immediate measures to boost productive activity.

Ricardo Martinelli and the economy in Panama

“Money has to move. For example, payments to the Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF) are practically suspended… we have to throw money into the streets,” the former president declared.

Panama’s Ministry of Economy and Finance confirms in its reports that liquidity is key to maintaining the country’s stability, aligning itself with the idea that countercyclical measures are required to protect the population.

Support for Mulino’s efforts

Despite his criticism, Martinelli congratulated President José Raúl Mulino for the efforts made in countries such as Japan, Brazil, and the United States to attract foreign investment. According to Martinelli, these decisions are sound, although domestic efforts still need to be strengthened.

In this context, he emphasized that President Mulino also highlighted the strategic role of the Panama Canal in international trade in his speech before the UN.

Panamanian economy and future

According to the World Bank , the Panamanian economy faces significant challenges: low growth, declining foreign investment, and a fiscal deficit that must be corrected. For Martinelli, this demonstrates that Panama urgently needs measures to restore dynamism to the domestic market.

“The government must act quickly. We must get money out onto the streets, support small businesses, and ensure that the people have income,” the former president emphasized.