Martín Torrijos

Martín Torrijos

Martín Erasto Torrijos Espino (born July 18, 1963, in Chitré, Herrera) is a Panamanian politician and a former President of the Republic of Panama.

The illegitimate son of Panamanian military ruler Omar Torrijos, Martín Torrijos was educated in economics and political science in the US. He then returned to Panama, becoming active in the Democratic Revolutionary Party (PRD). He was the party's presidential candidate in the 1999 general election, losing to Arnulfista Party candidate Mireya Moscoso.

In the 2004 presidential election, he ran again as the PRD candidate. This time, his primary rival was Solidarity Party candidate Guillermo Endara, whom Torrijos defeated 47% to 31%. Torrijos reformed social security and pensions during his term in office, as well as proposing and passing a $5 billion expansion of the Panama Canal. Torrijos was succeeded by supermarket magnate Ricardo Martinelli in 2009.