BOGOTA, Colombia

Jose Raul Mulino, who won the May 5 elections in the Central American country of Panama, was sworn in and officially began his term.

At Monday’s swearing-in ceremony held at the National Assembly, Parliament Speaker Dana Castaneda presented the presidential sash to Mulino.

In a speech, Mulino said that they would revitalize Panama's economy, combat public debt, and stem irregular migration.

On the difficult tasks ahead, Mulino said: "We want to leave a strong Panama where future generations will have more opportunities."

Addressing the issue of the Darien Gap on the border with Colombia, Mulino said: "I will call for international solidarity to solve this issue. We will address it with the relevant countries, particularly the US, where the migrants aim to reach.”

“We will not allow illegal entry into our country," he added.

A graduate in maritime law from Tulane University in New Orleans, Mulino promised the Panamanian people a return to economic prosperity and high employment.

Mulino, who served as justice and public security minister in the 2009-2014 government, pledged during his campaign to fight criminal organizations and close the border leading to the Darien Gap, a popular route for irregular migration.

*Writing by Zehra Nur Duz in Ankara