Uribe lavishes praise on Martinelli at Panamanista convention

Former Colombian President Alvaro Uribe was the keynote speaker at the Panamanista political convention on Sunday.

The choice was a surprise to some political commentators as Uribe, is under the spotlight in his own country while his former head of intelligence, who reported directly to him, is in Panama protected from arrest by Interpol.

She is wanted for allegedly ordering wire taps of Uribe’s political  opponents, judges and journalists. She was granted asylum by President Ricardo Martinelli, who had a close relationship with Uribe.

 Meanwhile Juan Carlos Varela. Panama’s vice-President was reelected president of the Panamanista Party forthe next five years and is already on the campaign trail to succeed Martinelli in 2014. Although Martinelli’s original promise of support seems to be waning.

 During his speech, Uribe highlighted what he saw as  Panama’s achievements. He lavished praise on  President Martinelli, who was present as well as Varela. 

Uribe said Panama is characterized as a democracy in progress,with the security offered and its economic prosperity. The country is, he said a source of admiration abroad.

Panama has made ??an investment rate of over 30% of gross domestic productsomethjing not made ??by any Latin American country. "Panama is setting a great example," he said. 

Uribe highlighted the "spirit" and "energy" of Martinelli  who has moved from the private sector to achieve success in the public domain. What Martinelli what he preaches is what he does, said Uribe

He sent a message to Varela: "Chancellor, you have to be careful. … hundreds of thousands of Latin Americans see a great hope in Martinelli’s  leadership and you need to succeed."  Uribe who ruled Colombia from 2002 to 2010 and endeavored to get the constitution changed to permit a further term, but he was denied by the courts.