Controversial University rector to end 20 year reign

THE DIVISIVE and controversial University of Panama Rector Gustavo u has finally bent under pressure and has announced he will not seek re-election.

The 77-year old rector said Thursday, October 28: “I believe that the time has come for my retirement. I will not participate in the university’s next elections,”  “When my term ends, I’ll give way to those wishing to participate.”

At the beginning of the year, he said he would seek another term, He has led the school for 20 years.

His announcement follows pressure from academic staff, students, media, and alumni.

It also comes amidst an audit being conducted by the comptroller over the handling of funds and a dispute between the rector and law professor Miguel A. Bernal, who has opposed the autocratic rule of a man who took no prisoners and fought to have popular professor Bernal whose insistence led to the audit,  expelled.