Cloud over Tourism Minister affecting the country reports
The lack of a visa for the Minister of Tourism to enter the United States affects not only the image of the government of Ricardo Martinelli but of the country and the tourism industry say observers.
In a lead story, headlined “Shamah case affecting Panama’s Image" La Prensa quotes a former deputy foreign minister Omar Jaen Suarez as saying that removing the visa of a senior official of a government with which there is a close relationship is not a situation either normal or healthy for a country, or for bilateral relations.
“Following the publication of the story about the cancelation of the visa based on official sources, the Government chose caution” says La Prensa.
‘Foreign Minister, Juan Carlos Varela, neither denied nor affirmed. He merely said that Shamah can travel to that country with what he called ‘a diplomatic visa.’ Meanwhile, atourism industry source said it requires a clear explanation, because this situation affects the country's brand.”
PRD president Francisco Sanchez Cardenas said Sunday, May 8: "The countryis going through a very critical situation because the government is infested with people linked to drug trafficking and money laundering.
DESPERATE SMOKESCREEN
"This is doing terrible damage to the country at the international level, Sanchez Cardenas said that President Martinelli, is launching a desperate smokescreen "desperately " with a television campaign trying to connect PRD figures with Guzman, allegations that have already been dismissed. Sanchez Cardenas said that the infestation has become apparent with the Tourism Minister, "accused of crimes related to drug trafficking."
Sanchez CardenaasIn turn also recalled that the President's nephew, Ramon Martinelli, who is imprisoned in Mexico, is accused of laundering an average of $30 million dollars a month.
In this regard, he said, "That was , washed through very well assembled structures. We are witnessing the most corrupt government in the history of this country."
