Sniping in ruling coalition on the increase

With two deputies of Panama’s Democracy for Change party(CD) planning to introduce a draft law to enable president Ricardo Martinelli to run again, sniping within the ruling coalition is increasing.

On Monday (December 13) Vice President Juan Carlos Varela publicly criticized Minister of Labor Alma Cortés over her handling of the crisis in Bocas del Toro in July involving unemployed banana plantation workers. Four people were killed and nearly 800 injured, inclusing some blinded by buckshot fired by the police.

Varela was responding to comments made by Cortés about the possibility of him running for president in 2014. Cortés said that Varela, a member of the Panameñista party, may not get the support of all the current parties that make up the current government.

Varela shot back saying that the lack of support from Cortés is understandable, because "if I were president, she would not be the Minister of Labor."

Varela charged that Cortés bungled the situation in Bocas del Toro that led to violent clashes between police and protesters.
Cortés needed "a little more humility" in managing the crisis he said.
The Vice President said that a petition started by Cambio Democrático (CD) members to permit the re-election of President Ricardo Martinelli is a violation of the Constitution and will not be taken seriously

Martinelli, has denied he would seek re-election but has twice backed off on his support of Varela to be the party's presidential candidate in 2014. He said it was decision that would be made in the future.