President denies side trip to World Cup

With rumors swirling that President Ricardo Martinelli made an unexplained side trip to the opening ceremonies of the World Cup in South Africa,  he has issued a denial via e-mail.

Stories have been circulating that the presidential plane, a $22 million gift from Taiwan, was seen in South Africa following a visit to Greece which ended June 10. The opening ceremonies were held June 11. When he returned to Panama two days later, officials had no answers to questions about his whereabouts during the missing days
Now the Director of Civil Aviation, Rafael Barcenas, says the presidential aircraft Embraer Legacy 600 suffered a fuel fuel pump failure when the president was in Greece.

In his e-mail the president referring to attendence at the opening ceremonies said: "In my dreams yes, but not physically,” Barcenas said that "there was a problem with the fuel valve, causing delays in repairs and it was sent to a technician for repair in Greece." The problem was recorded in the plane’s log

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