Martinelli speaks to the nation on government crisis

The president, Ricardo Martinelli,  went on national TV Thursday night (September 1) to give his interpretation of the government crisis that led to his decision to dismiss Juan Carlos Varela as Foreign Minister.

He reiterated what he had said on Twitter and through a paid advertisement published in national newspapers earlier in the day, saying that his decision was  "constitutional" and that Panamanians deserve a full-time foreign minister, and because the Cambio Democratic party believed in the runoff election and if  the president wins more than 50% of the votes "because that gives " legitimacy " to the government.

"That the covenant has broken down was unfortunate but it was not my decision, "said Martinelli, in obvious allusion to the words that the Vice President used on his departure from the Foreign Ministry on Tuesday August 30 after his dismissal was published in the Official Gazette,

 "The ruling alliance was terminated because the President] took a policy decision today."

 Martinelli also had words of praise for those who were his former allies. He thanked the Panamanistas who  have served the country during the past26 months, especially the former Minister of Finance Alberto Vallarino, who He said left the country with an economy and a degree of investment that is the envy of all Latin American countries.

He said that he will not run for the presidency of the Republic next time.

His only interest is to fulfill his  campaign promises and that will be his focus the next three years.