Reports on Martinelli threat to Panamanian democracy brushed aside

Reports sent to Washington by the former US ambassador to Panama, Barbara Stephenson, labeling President Ricardo Martinelli "a threat to Panamanian democracy," were brushed aside by the government on Tuesday, March 16.

Minister of the Presidency, Jimmy  Demetrio Papadimitriu dismissed the comments of the diplomat as “a personal problem she had with the president”

Others were not so complacent.

William Ford, a former Vice President, said the accusations were "serious and grave."   He said: "The president must give an explanation… because the country cannot remain in doubt, this issue is very delicate." 
Mariela Arce, Centre for Studies and Social Action (CEASPA), said Stephenson is a person who knows the Latin American region has a great capacity for analysis, so that should be taken into account when reviewing her messages, which were revealed by Wikileaks.
Carlos Lee, president of the Citizens Alliance for Justice, said the cables confirmed what the Alliance  has been reporting consistently. {jathumbnail off}
Popular Party chairman, Milton Henriquez took the same approach:” The "cables confirm what we have reported in recent months, the authoritarian and destructive behavior of the current government.” 
Francisco Sanchez Cardenas, chairman of the Democratic Revolutionary Party (PRD), said the reports confirmed the criticisms against the  hold Martinelli has on the Supreme Court, the Attorney General,and the Comptroller,  and  the buying of deputies. 
Sergio González Ruiz, chairman of the Nationalist Republican Liberal Movement (allied to the government), said Stephenson "was seeing another country," so we should ignore it … Her credibility is far from that of a serious ambassador.”