Former CD presidential candidate defects
The latest high profile member of the unraveling Cambio Democrático (Democratic Change )(CD) Party to jump ship is former presidential candidate, José
Domingo “Mimito” Arias, who registered on Saturday, March 7, at the Alliance Party, thus ceasing to be a member of the CD Party, founded, funded and led until recently by ex-president Ricardo Martinelli. After “Mimito” was defeated by Juan Carlos Varela he was castigated as a poor candidate, by Martinelli, who is currently in detention in the US awaiting extradition to Panama to face wiretapping and corruption charges
Arias was accompanied by his wife and other prominent ex-CD figures at the time of his registration.