Laurentino Cortizo
Laurentino "Nito" Cortizo Cohen (Spanish pronunciation: [lawɾenˈtino koɾˈtiso ˈko.en]; born 30 January 1953) is a Panamanian politician who has served as President of Panama since 2019. Cortizo Cohen is the former President of the National Assembly[1] and Minister of Agricultural and Livestock Development. He was also a member of the National Assembly between 1994 and 2004, serving a year as chamber president.[2]
Laurentino Cortizo | |
---|---|
Laurentino "Nito" Cortizo | |
38th President of Panama | |
Assumed office 1 July 2019 | |
Vice President | Jose Gabriel Carrizo |
Preceded by | Juan Carlos Varela |
Minister of Agricultural and Livestock Development | |
In office 1 September 2004 – 10 January 2006 | |
President | Martín Torrijos |
Preceded by | Lynette Stanziola |
President of the National Assembly | |
In office 1 September 2000 – 31 August 2001 | |
Preceded by | Enrique Garrido |
Succeeded by | Rubén Arosemena |
Personal details | |
Born | Panama City, Panama | 30 January 1953
Political party | Democratic Revolutionary Party |
Spouse(s) | Yazmín Colón de Cortizo |
Children | 2 |
Alma mater | Norwich University (B.B.A.) University of Texas at Austin (M.B.A.) |
Website | www |
A member of the Democratic Revolutionary Party, he was elected as president on 5 May 2019 winning 33.27% of the vote.[3]
Political career
Cortizo served as a member of the National Assembly from 1994 to 2004.[4] He became President of the National Assembly in 2000, serving until 2001.[2]
He also served as Minister of Agricultural and Livestock Development under President Martin Torrijos, however he resigned in 2006 due to his objections to the negotiations made in pursuit of the US-Panama Free Trade Agreement.[4]
Personal life
Cortizo is married to Yazmín Colón de Cortizo. They have 2 children - Carolina and Jorge. Carolina is currently one of the directors of Copa Airlines.
References
- Sáez, Manuel Alcántara; Freidenberg, Flavia, eds. (2001). Partidos políticos de América Latina. Centroamérica, México y República Dominicana. Universidad de Salamanca. p. 561. ISBN 9788478008377.
- PALABRAS LLANAS - 50 años de visión y Compromiso (1906-2006)
- "Cortizo wins Panama election". 6 May 2019. Retrieved 6 May 2019.
- "Panama elections: Centrist Laurentino Cortizo declared winner". www.aljazeera.com. Retrieved 12 August 2019.