President off the radar in Panama

In the midst of a growing scandal that is casting a shadow over Panama’s world image President Ricardo Martinelli did not appeared in public in Panama for 15 days.

Although he has texted to just over 25 thousand “fans” on his Twitter account but he has not been seen in Panama since April 26 says La Prensa.

He then spent four days in Washington and was seen on  local television channels  with his U.S. counterpart, Barack Obama. 

He returned to the country April. 30 but has remained out of sight as a series of scandals erupted involving several officials in his administration.

He has  declined to comment on Twitter and says: "There is an orchestrated campaign to destroy the credibility of the government,”.
He was reported to be heading for Tocumen  today, May 11.

 Milton Henriquez chairman of  he Popular Party, said the president "escapes and does not address the issues." 

On the other hand, one of the key figures in the scandal, Tourism czar  Solomon Shamah, whose U.S. visa was withdrawn, was presented last night at the Hebrew Club to participate in an activity but, says La Prensa, stayed only a few minutes.

Meanwhile The Inter American Press Association (IAPA)  has called on the Panamanian government to investigate the smear campaigns against journalists, “designed to erode the credibility of the local press” 

According to the chairman of the IAPA, Gonzalo Marroquín, the campaign represents "a serious blow to freedom of expression with attacks against journalists in La Prensa  and Alvaro Alvarado, of Telemetro.