STORY: Jose Raul Mulino has won the presidency of Panama in an election dominated by his old boss, ex-leader Ricardo Martinelli, who is convicted of money laundering and is holed up in Nicaragua's embassy in the capital Panama City.
Mulino was once defense minister and was a favorite for the top job after he stepped in to replace MartinellI, who had been barred from running.
While in a strange campaign, Martinelli played a key role drumming up support for Mulino within the embassy, where he sought asylum.
Mulino gave a victory speech Sunday evening:
"To Ricardo Martinelli, my friend, mission accomplished Ricardo. When you invited me to be vice president, I did not imagine this scenario, but it was my turn, and I took it on with enormous responsibility and humility."
The president-elect went on to say he would be a pro-business leader and that the Central American country would honor debts to its creditors, while also vowing to not forget the poor.
Many voters saw Mulino as a proxy for Martinelli, though opponents called him a puppet of the former president.
Nicaragua granted Martinelli asylum but Panamanian authorities have blocked him from leaving the country.
Mulino has promised to usher in prosperity through ambitious infrastructure investment and a higher minimum wage, while suggesting he would keep Martinelli out of jail.
Mulino will take office on July 1 for a five-year term.
