Varela not man enough to face reality — Martinelli

Panamanian president Ricardo Martinelli  enlarged his earlier attacks on his former ally and coalition partner on Wednesday afternoon May 9.

Earlier in the day he had denied a smear campaign against vice-president, Juan Carlos Varela,  and called on him to resign.

Later in the day he asked Varela to  is ratify before the courts "serious allegations" made against him.

 "I want to respectfully ask [Varela] the ratification of the serious allegations made today " Martinelli said

He asked   if Varela was "man enough" to withdraw from office. “Varela " will not to resign because he does not have enough manhood to face facts and reality," said the president. 

Martinelli recalled that, for the duration of the government alliance between the Panamenista Party and Democratic Change, Varela was all the time by his side. "Varela was with me in all decisions," he said, so it was  well known that there was no irregularity. Meanwhile, the Panamanian vice president has said he will not give up his post, having been elected by popular vote. He remarked that Martinelli should resign if involved in corruption cases (referring to the case Valter Lavítola). 

When the coalition broke up  last August, the president said he and Varela were still friends.