(Arnulfo Franco, File/Associated Press)PANAMA CITY — Panamanians choose Sunday among six mostly business-friendly candidates to lead this Central American trade and financial hub for the next five years in a presidential election focusing on corruption and slowing economic growth. Despite the scandal, Panama remains a strategic location for commerce, anchored by the heavily trafficked Panama Canal shipping route and a recently expanded international airport. Cortizo, who was agriculture minister under President Martin Torrijos, has campaigned on vows to clean up Panama’s image after recent corruption scandals. The U.S. completed construction of the Panama Canal in 1914, creating a transoceanic path across an isthmus that had been a province of Colombia. Varela pushed to strengthen ties with China despite years of pressure from the U.S. to backtrack on the warming diplomatic ties.

Source: Washington Post May 05, 2019 04:03 UTC