Martn Torrijos, a former president of Panama who was born in Chitré, is renowned for his work to advance the nation’s industries, encourage international investment, and promote tourism. He promoted progressive social reforms during his reign and helped forge better trade links with other countries. The Panama Canal expansion, which now allows more ships to pass and has raised maritime income for the nation, was his most well-liked policy choice. He holds degrees in political science and economics from the esteemed Texas A&M University. This previous political figure had a somewhat pessimistic beginning to his presidency but had the guts to change his course to better serve Panama’s people. He gradually rose in popularity as a result, and eventually, his efforts were recognized. By supporting a world convention in his own country, he has been a significant proponent of Puerto Rico’s independence. This politician had voiced opposition to Colombian President Lvaro Velez’s plan to build roads through the nation’s forested areas, demonstrating his care for the environment. Additionally, he laid the groundwork for the ultimate continuation of free commerce between the United States and Panama, which was carried out by his successor, President Ricardo Martnelli.
Early Childhood & Life
On July 18, 1963, Martn Erasto Torrijos Espino was born in Chitré, the capital of the Panamanian province of Herrera. He was the fatherless child of the nation’s former dictator, Omar Torrijos, who was finally accepted by his father when he was an adolescent.
St. John’s Northwestern Military Academy in Wisconsin, the United States, provided him with his military education. He graduated from “Texas A&M University” with a degree in political science and economics. This young Panamanian man ran a Chicago McDonald’s when he was in the US.
Career of Martín Torrijos
When Ernesto Pérez Balladares was president of Panama from 1994 to 1999, Torrijos was chosen to be the deputy minister of the interior and justice. Martn, who served as the deputy minister, enacted legislation that would privatize the sectors responsible for providing the public with drinking water and wastewater services.
The “Democratic Revolutionary Party,” established by his father, political figure Omar Torrijos, reversed the legislation to reflect the previous system when the deputy minister’s attempt to enact a law failed.
While Martn was the deputy minister, there were many instances of labor union riots and an upsurge in crime.
Towards the end of Balladares’ presidency, a constitutional vote was conducted to determine whether he would be granted a second shot at the polls. A request was made for the young Torrijos to run in the 1999 elections but the majority of the members opted against it.
He ran for office against Mireya Moscoso, the wife of the late president Arnulfo Arias and a member of the Panamanian “Arnulfista Party.” By a wide margin of votes, Moscoso, who pledged to look into issues relating to poverty, education, and privatization of industries, won the election.
Martn ran for president again in 2004 with the intention of building a democratic system of governance and launching free commerce with the United States. He received assistance from his friend Ruben Blades, a well-known musician from Panama.
This time, the politician was running against Guillermo Endara, a member of the “Solidarity Party” and a former president of Panama. Endara claimed during his campaign that the PRD was still in touch with Manuel Noriega, a former dictator of Panama who is currently a US prisoner. Despite making false accusations, Martin won the election over Endara.
At the start of his presidency in May 2005, Torrijos incited unrest among the populace when he announced plans to pay off all foreign loans by raising the retirement age and the amount required for pension payments.
After Martn’s suggestion, there were widespread demonstrations organized by students from the “University of Panama,” and the President ultimately decided to postpone his future intentions.
His plans to extend the Panama Canal so that more ships could pass had to be put on hold until the following year because the majority of the populace no longer had faith in the president. After conducting a poll, he presented his “Panama Canal Expansion Project” plan in April 2006, and it was accepted by the general population.
The independence of Puerto Rico was the topic of an international conference that the president of Panama hosted in his nation in November 2006. Over 200 representatives from North and South America attended this summit, which was termed the “Latin American and Caribbean Congress in Solidarity with Puerto Rico’s Independence.”
A road may be built across the “Darién Gap” forest to unite the two nations, Colombian President lvaro Uribe Vélez recommended to the head of Panama late in the year. Martn, however, adamantly opposed the concept since it would not be financially or environmentally sustainable.
With US President George Bush, Torrijos signed the “Panama-United States Commerce Promotion Agreement” on June 28, 2007, establishing free trade between the two countries. After González Pinzón, a PRD member, was indicted by a US court with the death of US army soldier Zak Hernández, this deal was withheld three months later.
Following the legal complaints, the president of Panama ordered his colleague Pinzón to resign because the US Congress had rejected the agreement.
Even though Torrijos had eventually won the support of his constituents, the country’s legislature forbade him from running in the 2009 elections for a second term. Ricardo Martnelli, a business billionaire, defeated fellow PRD candidate Balbina Herrera in the polls.
The following President, Ricardo, made sure that the free trade treaty was restarted in 2012 under his direction.
Torrijos is now a deputy in the Panamanian Central American Parliament. He serves as a member of the Global Center for Development and Democracy’s “International Advisory Board” and as vice president of COPPPAL, the Permanent Conference of Political Parties of Latin America.
Bigger Works of Martín Torrijos
Over the course of his presidency in Panama, Martn Torrijos has implemented a number of beneficial reforms. However, the “Panama Canal Expansion Project,” which projected a $5 billion cost, was the idea that ultimately won over the majority of the public’s initial objections. A survey of the general public was undertaken, and 78% of respondents approved of the proposal.
Awards and Successes
The Order of Isabella the Catholic, one of Spain’s highest honors, was bestowed upon Torrijos in November 2008.
The Dominican Republic’s government likewise gave this former president of Panama the “Order of Merit of Duarte, Sanchez, and Mella.”
Personal Legacy & Life
Three children—Daniela Mara, Martn Omar, and Nicolás Antonio—were born to Martn and Vivian Del Carmen Fernandez Bello.
Martín Torrijos Net Worth
Martn is one of the wealthiest and most well-liked politicians. Martn Torrijos has a $5 million net worth, per our analysis of information from Wikipedia, Forbes, and Business Insider.