Martinelli strong arm tactics reminiscent of past dictatorships Time

Any comparison between Panama’s Ricardo Martinelli and former military dictators is unfair, Panama has a functional democracy says Vice President Juan Carlos Varela.

He was referring to an article strongly critical of the president in Time the world's largest weekly newsmagazine, which has a US audience of 20 million and a global audience of 25 million

In an article published this week, Time said he is using "strong-arm tactics" reminiscent of the country's past military dictatorships.
The article quoted opposition members and university professors, among others. It highlighted the recent violent protests in Bocas del Toro, in which at least two demonstrators were killed and hundreds injured in clashes with police, as evidence of the administration's methods in dealing with opposition to its policies.
The article also highlighted recent attacks on press freedom in Pansma, including sentences handed down by a judge calling for prison sentences for two television personalities.
Martinelli issued an immediate pardon, but the legality of the pardon has received two challenges saying it was unconstitutional. The reporters said that to accept the pardon would be an admission of guilt.