Civil crusaders denounce democratic dictatorship

Harsh criticism of the administration of President Ricardo Martinelli permeated the anniversary  meeting of Panama’s Civil Crusade, formed to oppose the military dictatorship.

Panelists dressed in white, the symbol of their protests against the military dictatorship and the often bloodly battles with the Dignity Battalion of former strongman Manuel Antonio Noriega. agreed that the current President is a "destroyer of the institutions." 

Noriega is in jail in the Renacer Prison, after serving 1 years in US and French prisons, and faces further trials in Panama.

The Civilistas gathered Saturday, June 9 at the Chamber of Commerce and Industry to commemorate the 25 anniversary of the founding of the movement that emerged in Panama to demand freedom and peace in the midst of a military dictatorship.

The word plutocracy, used by former President Guillermo Endara (RIP) to refer to the current political life, was was used during  a  tribute to former vice president Ricardo Arias Calderon. 

Milton Henriquez, president of the Popular,Party paying tribute to Arias Calderon, criticized the fact that political parties are used by the current government for  enrichment, and that the amount of money you have decides who enters and who exits the political arena.

"We must once again raise the political activity of citizens, the debate of ideas and proposals for the common good," he said.

Roberto Brenes, a member of the Crusade, said that 25 years have not been sufficient to achieve the return of a ‘full democracy’

I must say with regret that since the day we won democracy in Panama it has begun to deteriorate," he said.

He said that no government has respected the separation of state powers. "All have been predators of powers, all have appointed judges who serve them unconditionally with the exception of the government of Guillermo Endara," he said.

Aurelio Barria, a founder member of the Civil Crusade, said he will continue to defend democracy."Authoritarianism, concentration of power, management of state resources, attacks against journalists and media, intolerance to criticism and little accountability," is how the businessman president Ricardo Martinelli, compares with Noriega he said.

"We live in a civilian dictatorship product of a democratically elected leader," he concluded.

For Carlos Gonzalez De la Lastra, another leader of the Crusade, the government is destroying the democratic institutions and justice has been neglected to the point that "no one feels really defended", as in  the time ofNoriega.

 Results of a Unimer survey conducted from May 17 to 20, show that  that 63.8% of respondents thought democracy was in danger

Significantly dissatisfied  are those under 35 years of age, those with a household income less than $ 800 a month,and  those who are poorly educated and live in rural areas.  18% of respondents who felt somewhat satisfied and 16.1% said they were satisfied or very satisfied with democracy in Panama.