Government critic joins presidential photo-op tour

After harshly criticizing Panama’s government, amid signs that the ruling alliance may be fracturing, Representative. Jose Blandon Figueroa turned up on Friday at a ceremony in Los Santos, with the president, Ricardo Martinelli.
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“I was called by the President to accompany him on his tour. I am a member of Government and I came because I am not an enemy of the President or the Government. I saw it as an opportunity to talk directly” said Blandon, according to La Prensa.
His remarks came a day after his father and political analyst Jose Isabel Blandon, said that the government has a campaign against those who criticize the president. One of the critics is Blandon now acting as an advisor to Panama’s unpopular mayor, Bosco Vallarino.
In the meantime a large election poster showing Blandon and then presidential candidate Ricardo Martinelli, still adorns the corner of Calle 42 and Justo Arosemena, a well chosen site as traffic has to stop at the lights, giving drivers and bus passengers time to look at the signs of amity.
However, by law, campaign posters are supposed to be removed within days of the election, and the removal comes under the supervision of the city, Mayor Bosco and his advisors.