Coalition rupture a chronicle of a death foretold – Martinelli

The rupture of Panama’s ruling alliance was the "chronicle of a death foretold," says President  Ricardo Martinelli as there were many difficulties and differences between them.

He was speaking during a tour of Colon on Friday, August 9, to promote cleanliness and reduce levels of infestation of the mosquito Aedes aegypti which carries the dengue virus.

He brushed aside media questions  about an alleged recording of a conversation between the Vice President and former Foreign Minister Juan Carlos Varela, which alluded to a possible cause of Varela's dismissal on  August 30.

He said he has not talked with Varela but says he has  "a friendship” with him  and wishes him the best of luck in his  aspirations. "We just chose different paths."