Martín Torrijos - Politician, Birthday and Childhood
Home › Panamanian › Martín TorrijosJuly 18, 1963315 viewsMartín Torrijos's Personal Details
Martín Torrijos is a former President of Panama, famous for introducing various progressive changes, including the ‘Canal Expansion Project’
| Information | Detail |
|---|---|
| Birthday | July 18, 1963 |
| Died on | January 1, 1981 |
| Nationality | Panamanian |
| Famous | Democrats, Leaders, Political Leaders, Presidents, Politician |
| Ideologies | Democrats |
| Spouses | Vivian Fernández |
| Known as | Martin Torrijos |
| Universities |
|
| Birth Place | Chitré |
| Political Ideology | Democratic Revolutionary Party |
| Religion | Catholicism |
| Gender | Male |
| Sun Sign | Cancer |
| Born in | Chitré |
| Famous as | Politician |
| Died at Age | 17 |
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Martín Torrijos's photo
Who is Martín Torrijos?
Martín Torrijos, born in Chitré, is a former President of Panama, who is known for his efforts to develop tourism, improve industries, and increase foreign investment for the country. He has helped build better trade relationships with other nations, and had brought about progressive social reforms during his term. His most popular decision had been to expand the Panama Canal that now allows more ships to pass, and thus has increased maritime profits for the country. He is a graduate in Economics and Political Science from the renowned 'Texas A&M University'. This former political leader started off his Presidential term on a slightly negative tone, but showed the courage to rethink his decisions to suit the needs of the citizens of Panama. This helped him gain gradual popularity, and eventually his efforts were appreciated. He has played a major role in advocating independence for the Puerto Rican nation, by sponsoring a global convention in his homeland. This politician had shown concern for his country’s ecology, when he opposed the Colombian President Álvaro Vélez’s suggestion to build roads within the country’s forest area. He also set the foundation for free trade between the United States and Panama, which was eventually carried forward by his successor, President Ricardo Martínelli.
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Childhood & Early Life
Martín Erasto Torrijos Espino was born in the Panamanian province Herrera's capital city Chitré, on July 18, 1963. He was the illegitimate son of former dictator of the country, Omar Torrijos, who was accepted by his father only when he reached adolescence.
He received his military training from 'St. John's Northwestern Military Academy', Wisconsin, US. He has a degree in Economics and Political Science from the 'Texas A&M University'. While he was in the United States, this young Panamanian managed a McDonald's outlet in Chicago.
Career
During 1994-99, Torrijos was appointed as the Deputy Minister of the Interior and Justice of Panama, when Ernesto Pérez Balladares was serving as the President of the country. In his capacity as the deputy minister, Martín passed a law that would privatize the industries providing wastewater services and drinking water to the people.
The law passed by the deputy minister was unsuccessful, thus the 'Democratic Revolutionary Party', founded by his father, political leader Omar Torrijos, reverted the laws as per the old system.
While Martín served as the deputy minister, crimes increased in the country and there were numerous cases of worker union riots.
A constitutional poll was held towards the end of Balladares' term as President, to decide if he would get a second chance at the elections. Majority of the members decided against it, and the young Torrijos was asked to take part in the 1999 elections.
In the elections, he contested against Mireya Moscoso, who was a member of the Panamanian 'Arnulfista Party', and wife of former President Arnulfo Arias. Moscoso, who promised to look into issues related to poverty, education and privatization of industries, won by a large margin of votes.
In 2004, Martín contested once again in the presidential elections with aims of establishing a democratic form of government and starting free trade with the United States. He was supported by his comrade Ruben Blades, who was also a famous Panamanian musician.
This time the politician was contesting against former President of Panama, Guillermo Endara, who belonged to the 'Solidarity Party'. In his campaign Endara alleged that the PRD was maintaining connections with former Panamanian dictator and US prisoner Manuel Noriega. Despite spreading allegations, Endara lost to Martin in the elections.
In May 2005, at the beginning of his term as President, Torrijos caused agitation amongst the masses, when he declared plans of repaying all foreign debts by increasing the age of retirement and the payment towards pension.
Widespread protests led by students of the 'University of Panama' ensued after this proposal made by Martín, and finally the President postponed his plans for the future.
Since most of the public had lost their faith in the president, his plans of expanding the Panama Canal to allow more ships to pass, had to be shelved till the next year. In April 2006, he put forward his plan for the 'Panama Canal Expansion Project', which won the approval of the public, after a poll was held.
In November 2006, the President of Panama organized an international conference in his country to discuss the independence of Puerto Rico. This summit, called 'Latin American and Caribbean Congress in Solidarity with Puerto Rico's Independence' involved over two-hundred delegates from across North and South America,
Towards the end of the year, Colombian President Álvaro Uribe Vélez suggested to the Panamanian leader that a road could be built through the forest of ‘Darién Gap’, to connect the two countries. However, Martín opposed the idea vehemently, since it would not be financially, as well as environmentally viable.
On June 28, 2007, Torrijos signed the 'Panama–United States Trade Promotion Agreement' with US President George Bush, enabling free trade the two nations. Three months later, this treaty was withheld, after González Pinzón, a member of the PRD, was charged by the US court with the murder of US army sergeant Zak Hernández.
Following the legal charges, the Panamanian president asked his colleague Pinzón to step down, since the US congress had refused to go ahead with the pact.
In 2009, even though Torrijos had eventually earned the trust of his citizens, he could not contest the elections for a consecutive term as the legislature of his country prohibited him. Balbina Herrera, a fellow PRD candidate participated, but lost the elections to business tycoon Ricardo Martínelli.
Ricardo, the next President ensured that the pact for free trade was once again initiated under his leadership, in 2012.
Torrijos is presently serving as Deputy in the Central American Parliament of Panama. He is a representative of the 'International Advisory Board' of the 'Global Center for Development and Democracy', and is also the Vice-President of the 'Permanent Conference of Political Parties of Latin America' ('COPPPAL').
Major Works
Martín Torrijos has brought about several positive reforms in his term as the President of Panama. However, the proposal that dispersed the initial opposition from the masses was the 'Panama Canal Expansion Project', which portrayed an expense of $5 billion. A public poll was conducted and the plan was ratified by 78% votes coming in favour of the project.
Awards and Achievements
In November 2008, Torrijos was felicitated by the Spanish government with one of its highest honours, ‘Order of Isabella the Catholic’.
This former President of Panama was also awarded the ‘Order of Merit of Duarte, Sanchez and Mella’, by the government of the Dominican Republic.
Personal Life & Legacy
Martín got married to Vivian Del Carmen Fernandez Bello; the couple have three children, Daniela María, Martín Omar & Nicolás Antonio.
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Martín Torrijos biography timelines
- // 18th Jul 1963Martín Erasto Torrijos Espino was born in the Panamanian province Herrera's capital city Chitré, on July 18, 1963. He was the illegitimate son of former dictator of the country, Omar Torrijos, who was accepted by his father only when he reached adolescence.
- // 1994 To 1999During 1994-99, Torrijos was appointed as the Deputy Minister of the Interior and Justice of Panama, when Ernesto Pérez Balladares was serving as the President of the country. In his capacity as the deputy minister, Martín passed a law that would privatize the industries providing wastewater services and drinking water to the people.
- // 1999A constitutional poll was held towards the end of Balladares' term as President, to decide if he would get a second chance at the elections. Majority of the members decided against it, and the young Torrijos was asked to take part in the 1999 elections.
- // 2004In 2004, Martín contested once again in the presidential elections with aims of establishing a democratic form of government and starting free trade with the United States. He was supported by his comrade Ruben Blades, who was also a famous Panamanian musician.
- // May 2005In May 2005, at the beginning of his term as President, Torrijos caused agitation amongst the masses, when he declared plans of repaying all foreign debts by increasing the age of retirement and the payment towards pension.
- // Apr 2006Since most of the public had lost their faith in the president, his plans of expanding the Panama Canal to allow more ships to pass, had to be shelved till the next year. In April 2006, he put forward his plan for the 'Panama Canal Expansion Project', which won the approval of the public, after a poll was held.
- // Nov 2006In November 2006, the President of Panama organized an international conference in his country to discuss the independence of Puerto Rico. This summit, called 'Latin American and Caribbean Congress in Solidarity with Puerto Rico's Independence' involved over two-hundred delegates from across North and South America,
- // 28th Jun 2007On June 28, 2007, Torrijos signed the 'Panama–United States Trade Promotion Agreement' with US President George Bush, enabling free trade the two nations. Three months later, this treaty was withheld, after González Pinzón, a member of the PRD, was charged by the US court with the murder of US army sergeant Zak Hernández.
- // Nov 2008In November 2008, Torrijos was felicitated by the Spanish government with one of its highest honours, ‘Order of Isabella the Catholic’.
- // 2009In 2009, even though Torrijos had eventually earned the trust of his citizens, he could not contest the elections for a consecutive term as the legislature of his country prohibited him. Balbina Herrera, a fellow PRD candidate participated, but lost the elections to business tycoon Ricardo Martínelli.
- // 2012Ricardo, the next President ensured that the pact for free trade was once again initiated under his leadership, in 2012.
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Martín Torrijos's FAQ
What is Martín Torrijos birthday?
Martín Torrijos was born at 1963-07-18
When was Martín Torrijos died?
Martín Torrijos was died at 1981-01-01
Which age was Martín Torrijos died?
Martín Torrijos was died at age 17
Where is Martín Torrijos's birth place?
Martín Torrijos was born in Chitré
What is Martín Torrijos nationalities?
Martín Torrijos's nationalities is Panamanian
What is Martín Torrijos ideologies?
Martín Torrijos's ideologies is Democrats
Who is Martín Torrijos spouses?
Martín Torrijos's spouses is Vivian Fernández
What was Martín Torrijos universities?
Martín Torrijos studied at Texas A&M University, St. John's Northwestern Military Academy
What is Martín Torrijos's political ideology?
Martín Torrijos's political ideology is Democratic Revolutionary Party
What is Martín Torrijos's religion?
Martín Torrijos's religion is Catholicism
What is Martín Torrijos's sun sign?
Martín Torrijos is Cancer
How famous is Martín Torrijos?
Martín Torrijos is famouse as Politician