The President of Panama Ricardo Martinelli assumed office July 1, 2009. He was elected May 3, 2009 for a five-year term and ran as an independent centrist candidate. President Martinelli was born March 11, 1952 (age 57) in Sona District, Veraguas, Panama. He is a very wealthy businessman who owns Super 99, a supermarket chain in Panama. When President Martinelli ran for office, he said he wanted to cut corporate taxes, given tax breaks to foreign investors, cut the crime rate, and set up a pension plan for the poor. The people of Panama seem to want him to run the country as successfully as he runs his businesses.
