From 1520 some Genoese merchants ruled the commerce of Old Panama (Panamá Viejo) on the Pacific Ocean for a century, thanks to a concession given by the Spaniards, who had the Republic of Genoa as allies.

After de independence, the Italian presence continued to emphasize immigrants such as Agostino Codazzi and Napoleone Garella, who in the nineteenth century and at different times, performed studies that recommended Panama as the ideal for the construction of an interoceanic canal.

During the isthmus canal project and construction continued to arrive eminent Italians from scientists, artists, priests and merchants to craftsmen and laborers.

His achievements were even lauded by The Economist: "Though it lies in Central America, the poorest and most violent region in the West, the country’s 3.6m citizens are now richer than most Latin Americans."

Indeed, Martinelli - during his five-year presidential mandate - promoted a huge urban development of Panama City, with the construction of some of the tallest skyscrapers in Latin America.