Panama's president-elect Jose Raul Mulino says he is "nobody's puppet," a reference to his candidacy to replace former President Ricardo Martinelli (2009-2014). "I'm not here because someone put me here," he says to cheers from the crowd during his victory speech at a Panama City hotel. The former President was disqualified from the race after being convicted of money laundering and taking refuge in the Nicaraguan embassy. According to a recent poll, most Panamanians believe Martinelli will wield control from behind the scenes. SOUNDBITE