“Soap opera” continues as Martinelli sues Varela

Panama’s “soap opera” (the president’s words) took another step towards a three ring circus on Friday, May 11, when the head of state, Ricardo Martinelli confirmed he was suing the vice president, Juan Carlos Varela,

The lawsuit was filed in the Seventeenth Circuit Court, Civil Branch, of Panama, at 2:25 pm this Thursday, May 10, 2012. 

The firm Rosendo Rivera & Associates served as a proxy for Martinelli. On Friday, the President confirmed the filing said La Prensa

"I'm not claiming as president, I am a human being like everyone else, " Martinelli told local media:" I was falsely slandered. I have been wronged and I want the legal authorities to resolve these cases, not solved via social media but through legal avenues, said. "As a citizen I have every right to defend myself because I have been libelled".

Martinelli. According to the President, " We are finishing this soap opera and now I just hope that people can recognize that everything  that has been said "is totally false." This week both Martinelli and Varela have become mutual public adversaries. 

The confrontation including commercials originally launched by Martinelli supporters, and reponses from Varela is creating concern in the community.

The Metropolitan Archbishop, José Domingo Ulloa has called for an urgent  dialogue between political parties