In Panama, Laurentino Nito Cortizo has been declared the winner of the presidential election after 95 percent of the votes were counted by the country's electoral tribunal. CGTN's Roee Ruttenberg reports.

Laurentino Cortizo was the frontrunner in Sunday's vote. He calmly cast his ballot for President in the Panamanian capital. On the campaign trail, the former agriculture minister, known as "Nito" vowed to tackle graft and corruption, and to restore Panama's image abroad. Only recently, the small Central American nation was at the center of a massive international tax scandal.

LAURENTINO NITO CORTIZO PANAMANIAN PRESIDENT-ELECT "Tomorrow, there will only be one flag, above all of the parties: the flag of Panama. No minister, no lawmaker, no businessman, will be untouchable. We have to fight."

Ultimately, when all the votes were counted, Cortizo emerged the winner. But not by much. Romulo Roux, the former foreign minister, managed to close-in on Cortizo's lead. Roux had promised to fix the economy, and to restore Panama to its heyday of double-digit growth. He was endorsed by Panama's former president, Ricardo Martinelli, who remains very popular among Panamanian voters even though he's in jail awaiting trial on political espionage charges.

"The two main things we need from the new government are transparency - it's been lacking, and that's why we've had so much corruption and justice. Without justice, transparency is worthless, and the politicians will just keep committing the same crimes."

Many voters also chose to back an independent candidate. Ricardo Lombana is a young journalist and lawyer. He was hoping to up-end the political establishment. In placing a respectable third out of seven, some say, Lombana managed to send a clear message to anyone willing to listen.

"The country needs to unite. The citizens need to get more and more involved. We can't leave all of the work to the politicians."

ROEE RUTTENBERG PANAMA CITY "Panama's constitution limits the Presidency to one five-year term, which means the current President, Juan Carlos Varela wasn't able to run. He'll leave office on July 1st when the next president is sworn-in."

Part of Varela's legacy will be Panama's newly established diplomatic relations with China. The move brought increased Chinese investment projects, but raised eyebrows in Washington. On Sunday, Cortizo said he had already spoken with Beijing's envoy here.

LAURENTINO NITO CORTIZO PANAMANIAN PRESIDENT-ELECT "I have had a very honest, direct and respectful conversation with the Chinese ambassador, whom I respect very much. He's a great diplomat. Obviously, we were clear, and he understands that we have a strategic relationship with the United States. They are our main partners."

Cortizo said he would continue to work to deepen relations with Beijing. But warned as President, he might move things along more slowly. Roee Ruttenberg, CGTN, in Panama City, Panama.