Panamas democratic development sliding

PANAMA’S ranking in the Index of Democratic Development in Latin America, has suffered a sharp decline since Ricardo Martinelli became President of the Republic.

The ranking measures 18 countries on a scale of 1 (minimum) to 10 (maximum) and is prepared by the internationally respected Konrad Adenauer Foundation, based in Germany, whose working principles are geared towards freedom, justice and solidarity reports La Prensa

11 years ago, in 2002, the country had a score of 8.3. In 2009, when Martinelli took affice it had 7.2 points. In 2013 it fell to 5.2.
The latest report reveals that the institutional weakness and the end of an economic boom, which has reduced social inequalities, has pushed back democratic development in Latin America this year
It also details the traditional risks persist in the region: "The increase in violence by organized crime", "the weakness of institutionalized control mechanisms of democracy" and "political messianism as a phenomenon of leadership."
The former leader of Panama’s National Civil Crusade and democracy activist Aurelio Barria called the outcome of the report disturbing.