Jul 01
Day One
July 1 marks the first day of Ricardo Martinelli taking control of the Presidency of Panama. My hope is that he takes aim at the negative changes that I have seen occur over the last five years. The highest on my list would be the increase in crime.
This may be a tough task and I would expect some crime increase because of the world economic situation. However, if he can focus on removing corruption from the police force and seeing that they are properly paid, that would help. I would also like to see changes in the laws that allow the juveniles to commit crimes, including murder, and get away with just a slap on the wrist.
Certainly, President Martinelli will have a lot on his plate. I wish him well and I have high hopes (desires) for his presidency.
7 responses so far Panama Journal
I read with interest today that Pres. Martinelli had announced that his first three priorities were to raise salaries to police, to grant “retirement income” to elders who did not collect a pension, and to start the Metro train project.
At least the police initiative starts to address your wish list.
Tony
Hi Tony. Now we just need to see some results.
Don Ray:
Corruption is a given on any politician (majority of them anyway), and is worse in LatinAmerica because the punishments are so light if discovered. The advantage he has is he is not a “Politico de Carrera” (career politician) but a business-man. If he can manage the Country as he has done with his successful company (Super 99) things might get better.
We can only hope…
Jaime^
Jaime, You are correct. Now we just need to wait and watch.
I think Martinelli has a good chance being a very good president. Of course he will need to keep the coalition together to get much of anything accomplished. Time will tell.
It would be nice if he wanted to go down in history with a record as a reformer.
I wish Martinelli the best and, especially the Panama people and other expats that are now, totally dependent on doing the right thing for everyone.