Martín Torrijos
PEOPLE PROFILE is published every Tuesday and describes the professional background of key people emerging in the political and economic scenario.
Who is MARTIN TORRIJOS?
Young candidate for the presidency in Panama's May 2004 elections, he is the
son of the former president General Omar Torrijos Herrera. He is the candidate
for the opposition Partido Revolucionario Democrático (PRD).
Born
18 July 1963
Place of birth
Panamá, province of Panamá, son of Xenia Espino and Omar Torrijos Herrera.
Education
Studied at the University of Texas, where he obtained two degrees, one in political
science, the other in economics.
Public life
Married to Vivian Fernández de Torrijos, father of Daniela María, Martín and
Nicolás Antonio. Since secondary school he has been actively involved in politics
as a student political leader. Started out in public life as deputy minister
of government and justice during the administration of President Ernesto Pérez
Balladares.
Timeline
1994-1999 Deputy minister of government and justice during the administration
of President Ernesto Pérez Balladares.
1994-1999 Member of the cabinet council and national security council, he presided
over the civil aeronautical council and the national telecommunications institute.
1994-1999 Served as secretary of youth of the PRD.
1999 Appointed candidate of the PRD to run for the presidency in May 1999. He
lost the elections.
1999-2002 Secretary-general of the PRD after being elected in August 1999 at
a party congress.
2003 Works in the private sphere as an economic advisor for multinational maritime,
construction and agro-export companies.
Strong points
Apart from his name, which has a mythical status in Panama (the power of it
derives from his father, Omar, who negotiated the return of the Canal Zone to
Panamanian control), he has spoken out strongly against the corruption of the
incumbent administration of President Mireya Moscoso. Also, his youthful good
looks and leftist policies could appeal to the 35% of the electorate aged between
18 and 30, motivated by a desire to rid the country of the stigma of corruption.
Weak points
He won the PRD party primaries without a lot to spare, suggesting that there
is a lack of support within the party. Also, although the 'youth vote' is important,
the majority of the electorate remains conservative. Traditionally, the PRD
has a constituency of about 40% (Torrijos's current support in the polls) but
the other parties then unite behind one candidate to exclude it from power.
Prospects
Analysts reckon that after years of pro-American governments tarnished by corruption
scandals, Torrijos is arousing an anti-American, anti-neoliberal sentiment which
- in line with what is happening in the rest of the region - could propel him
to power. If Torrijos can successfully cash in on this then he stands a good
chance of winning the presidency.