By Elida Moreno
PANAMA CITY (Reuters) – Panama’s new president, Jose Raul Mulino, took office on Monday vowing to reactive the economy and put the brakes on illegal immigration coming through the Central American nation’s southern jungle.
Mulino, a diplomat and businessman, promised to return economic growth to the levels seen during the government of popular ex-President Ricardo Martinelli, Mulino’s old boss and running mate. Martinelli was barred from running after a money laundering conviction.
“We have the challenge of leaving a growing Panama so that those who come after us can do a better job than ours and give more opportunities and more prosperity to future generations,” Mulino said.
Mulino also said that Panama would crack down on irregular migration through its borders.
“I will not allow Panama to be an open path for people who enter our country illegally,” Mulino said, promising to seek assistance from other countries, “above all, with the United States.”
During his campaign Mulino pledged to close the Darien Gap, a treacherous jungle between Colombia and Panama that has become part of the journey for many U.S.-bound migrants.
(Reporting by Elida Moreno; Additional reporting by Diego Ore; Writing by Brendan O’Boyle; Editing by Anthony Esposito)
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