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The Closing Months of the Varela Administration, and the Varela Legacy


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Controversial closing year for Varela

Tue, 12/18/2018 - 14:34

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The present government’ administration of the president of Panama, Juan Carlos Varela, is living a period of great tension, since despite the large income increase resulting from trade with China, in addition to the anti-terrorism and anti-corruption plans in which the nation has participated, there are more and more criticism from voters and elections very close.

Precisely, the trade with China has raised a large cloud of dust around President Varela, who since the breakdown of relations with Taiwan to migrate to a larger and more powerful client has been involved in three main problems:

Family businesses: recently a financial fair was held in China, with the participation of several Panamanian companies to accelerate trade and produce greater benefits and better treaties, however, that a family business of the president was benefited in the process, made clear the favors policy that is handled within the cabinet.

Although this company is one of the most solvent and exporting in Panama, the fact of having liquor among its main products and precisely, being family, provides plenty of food for thought about the filter of choice of the president.

Chinese Embassy: after the great relations and agreements signed between China and Panama, the opening of an embassy of the Asian country in canal lands was more than evident, however, the place had not been determined until the possibility of the Panama Canal appeared as headquarters.

The fact that China is the second most important active partner for the country, in addition to the main supplier of the Colon Free Zone, made this decision sound somewhat logical, provided that the space that would be given to these next diplomatic employees within Panama.

At the time of revealing this place, the problem appeared. Out of any cartographic survey, the actual location was not an inconvenience by coordinates, but by vision and national sentiment, since by placing the Chinese flag there, this would be the first one that would be seen by each ship that used the Panama Canal, something that within the moral and patriotic thouht, was not conceived possible.

Much was the debate until finally and temporarily, it was established that this diplomatic house will be in the provisional residence of the Chinese ambassador in Panama. The subject is still pending.

Martinelli: is the most important, heavy and apparently, extensive problem. The constant abuses against the former president of the nation make it clear that, guilty or not, he is the victim of a systematic abuse of his human rights by the executive.

Covered in the possible hate of Juan Carlos Varela, as certain sources close to Martinelli say, or simply because of poor legislative planning, the fact is that Ricardo Martinelli after a year is still in prison and has had to live through serious episodes of health, prohibition of visits, sudden transfers to hospitals and back to jail without medical party, suspension of trials and now, the change of judge organ for his case, so this could start from scratch and give talk to a government that could finish his exercise without any guilt being shown in the case of the eavesdropping.

Recently, one more violation was placed on this file after the alleged refusal on the part of the security organs to enter the former president's food. But in this case, the ban is just for Martinelli's relatives. A little curious.

While these three cases are the most important, we must not forget the Pandeportes event, which accuses a large number of government officials involved in alleged corruption, a case that is still being investigated.

To top it all, this Monday a protest was filed against another measure not complied by the administration of Varela: the construction of a new children's hospital at the venue of the Children's Hospital Rodolfo Nieto Padron.

Employees of the institution, made the information viral when planted in the street with several complaints, demanding the head of the Secretary of Health, Rommel Cerna Leeder, to pay their wages and Christmas bonus, in addition to indicating that in the medical institute only the urgency area works.

Although there are no media or heavy voices within the theme, beyond the employees within the place, it is still as important as any of the other mentioned topics, since it is a vital issue, of the life of the nation's infants and the future of these medical professionals who continue to perform public functions.

With elections close by and Martinelli growing in popularity for mayor of Panama, Romulo's nomination and these problems trigger an imminent ticking within the government that does not find positive news, beyond the reception of WYD in January 2019.

 

https://www.panamatoday.com/panama/controversial-closing-year-varela-8702

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Rejection Increases in Valera’s Administration

Thu, 12/20/2018 - 09:21

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Stratmark Consultores SA went on the task of surveying a large part of the Panamanian population about the administration of Varela as president, in a period between last December 7 and 15 and as results, it leaves disappointing numbers with the presidential elections very closely.

In October, the numbers indicated that 79.4% of the population rejects the administration of the president, all according to the study of this company that has a margin of error between 0 and 2.8% according to La Estrella de Panama. This time, the numbers increased for a rejection of 83.1%.

Although it is a study that can change, miss or not take 100% of the opinions, it is also about the moment that is lived in Panama with respect to politics, where it is more the anxiety for the freedom of Ricardo Martinelli than listening to Varela saying anything.

The also obscure commercial news of the country leaves too much against this head of state, who since the beginning of the relationships with China, has seen how the expectation has diminished and now the distrust is considerable, to the point of being interpreted as a measure that directly favors his personal and family interests, as well as a political-economic similarity with governments rejected in much of the world as those of Venezuela and Bolivia.

The memory of the Panamanian does not forget Noriega and before any tendentious line to the political left, criticism abounds even by instinct and is precise that China, the fundamental pillar of world socialism, was about to crown with its flag in the Panama Canal recently as if it were a chessboard, subtracting sovereign and identity arguments from the nation.

Although Martinelli remains in detention, Asian relations leave good dividends and Panama seems solid in the face of any communist closeness with its South American neighbors, the people, with great stealth, follow closely each of Varela's steps and seem to patiently wait for the presidential elections to take a decision.

 

https://www.panamatoday.com/panama/rejection-increases-valeras-administration-8719

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  • Moderator_02 changed the title to Public Report Card During the Closing Months of the Varela Administration
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President Tweets about 5 years of “blackmail”

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Posted 21/04/2019

President Juan Carlos Varela sent out a surprise  Tweet referring to “five years of blackmail” on  Sunday, April 21 which left many observers scratching their heads.

Varela recalled that he has 70 days left in power and that at the end of his term he will be released release from his third allergy, which he described as "blackmail".

"The blackmail of those who for 5 years attacked me without resting, because they lost the benefits they previously received. I am happy to have used these resources for projects that benefited thousands of Panamanians and I would do it again, "said the President.

 

https://www.newsroompanama.com/news/president-tweets-about-5-years-of-blackmail

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“Tortoise” sprints to open unfinished projects

 

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Posted 29/04/2019

President Juan Carlos Varela labeled the “tortoise” by detractors has become the hare in the closing days of his presidency as he rushes to inaugurate projects started during his administration but many still unfinished.

Preliminary calculations indicate that he has delivered at least 19 works totaling $3.231.5 billion reports La Estrella.

The haste for the delivery of works ignores that many are not finished. reports La Estrella  “An example is Line 2 of the Metro. Although it is a transportation solution for thousands of residents of East Panama, and it cannot be ignored that part of the access of the overhead air stations resembles a war camp with trenches, machinery, workers, and clusters of land that shows that the complementary works have still to be completed.

Another case is the Specialized Higher Technical Institute, in Tocumen, which was handed over in a first stage with and two of the three schools still pending.

 Terminal 2 at  Tocumen International, was “delivered”  on Monday but it will take months to complete the work.

The Urban Renovation of Colon is still causing anger among the residents of the city due to the inconveniences of circulation it causes.

"I did not stop to answer the attacks of those who said that the works would not be ready, I dedicated myself to work ...", the president said on his Twitter account

“Varela's performance suggests that he tries to assume a leading role that corresponds to the candidates in 60 days of campaigning.

From Chiriquí, passing through Veraguas, the Ngäbe-Buglé, Colón, Los Santos Santos and Panamá Oeste regions to Panama City he has opened roads, schools, homes, water treatment plants, and sports complexes.  Although the pro-government candidates have not been present at these acts due to legal prohibition, everything points to their intention to capture the attention of the voters, say analysts

Meanwhile To all this is added the restlessness of some sectors of the population who complain about at least half a dozen schools that have suspended classes because of unfinished work.

The hasty action is described as a strategy to change the perception of the population

"With the rush to inaugurate   he is trying to erase the nickname of Tortoise," says market analyst Jaime Porcell. “The president tries to leave a good memory of his management, he adds. Rate this strategy as 'the last farewell hug'.

Lawyer Ernesto Cedeño considers that "in its final stage all governments try to inaugurate works to influence the electorate" In the past, Ricardo Martinelli in the days leading up to the elections, inaugurated the mega projects of the Panama Metro and the Cinta Costera 3.

 

https://www.newsroompanama.com/business/tortoise-sprints-to-open-unfinished-projects

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Yes...the last gasp and the Hail Mary at the end of election period.  Build build build and open even if it is ...so so at best.  It is like the overpass Martinelli built by KFC....great idea but a bit half a**ed   And his "hospitals" ...wonder what percent got opened......

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Exiting Varela will avoid “Den of thieves”

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Posted 03/05/2019

With the clock showing only hours before the country decides who will succeed him President Juan Carlos Varela has written his own political epitaph listing some of the projects created during his administration and claiming he leaves leaves a different country to the one he received from the Democratic Change  administration (CD) and his successor will not have the challenge of dismantling a structure dedicated to the diversion of State funds and the weakening of its institutionality ."

Varela wrote that as soon as his term ends, he will make public his patrimonial declaration and will not become  a deputy of the Central American Parliament (Parlacen)  which his predecessor once labeled a den of thieves but later used to take refuge from Supreme Court investigations

He also stated that he is ready to coordinate an orderly and institutional transition that will allow the next president to begin his work from the first day of his administration.

Varela also referred to achievements  such as the reduction of homicides, economic growth, the reactivation of banana production in Puerto Armuelles, the new Tocumen Airport terminal, Line 2 of Panama Metro, and Colon city's reconstruction.

 

https://www.newsroompanama.com/news/exiting-varela-will-avoid-den-of-thieves

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Government gives Catholic Church $500,000 farewell gift

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The budget committee

Posted 15/05/2019

Just  45 days  away from  losing power, the government of Juan Carlos Varela continues to benefit the Catholic Church with public funds reports La Estrella

 The Budget Committee of the National Assembly, chaired by PRD Deputy, Benicio Robinson approved, on Wednesday, May 15, a $500,000 transfer to the Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF) to grant "financial support" to the parish of Our Lady of Mercy.

The approval was reported by the National Assembly on his Twitter account, although it is not specified if all of the $500,000 will go to the parish. The transfer to the MEF is part of a transfer package carried out,  by the Budget Committee to different institutions.

The government of Juan Carlos Varela has been questioned over the economic support that it has given to the Catholic Church during his reign. Even funds from the president’s discretional account have made their way to the Church.

 

https://www.newsroompanama.com/news/government-gives-catholic-church-500000-farewell-gift-1

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Iberian companies get $800 million contracts from exiting administration

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Posted 25/05/2019

With a little more than a month before the end of the current administration. Iberian companies have jumped to the head of the line and bidding for construction projects worth  over $800million

On Friday, May 24.y  the Spanish company OHL and the Portuguese Mota Engil became the virtual winners of the construction project of the extension to Villa Zaíta on Line 1 of the Panama Norte Metro. The companies form the Línea Norte Panamá Consortium and obtained the best score among the economic proposals received. The bid was $203,931,876, against a reference price of $218,578,185. Its technical score was 303 points out of  510, remaining below the second and third place bidders..

The highest technical score went to corresponded to the ACPC Consortium Line 1, with 341. bu its proposal of $249,688,397 exceeded the reference price.

The Brazilian company Odebrecht and the Spanish FCC, which built Line 1 and 2, ranked third among four proposals that were presented. Theis consortium obtained 309 points in its technical proposal and offered $247,512,067.

Ariel Arjona,  president of the evaluation committee said that the participating companies have until Wednesday to submit observations on the evaluation report. If no claim is presented, the contract will be awarded to the Línea Norte Consortium, which will have 33 months to build the project, after based on the order to proceed.

 Children’s hospital
 In the bidding for the $614 million Hospital del Nino project  Acciona Construcción obtained the highest score of the evaluation committee with 87.92points, while its competitor, Camce Hospital Consortium, had  72 points.

Camce obtained the highest score in his economic proposal (40 points) and in economic solvency (30 points) but got zero points for experience. .

The Ministry of Health awarded Acciona the contract for construction of the new hospital, a project that has been delayed for six years.

The new hospital will be built on the grounds of the old US Embassy on Ave Balboa.

Earlier this year Spanish media reported that Acciona Group agreed to pay 60 million euros to the government of Aragon to settle its civil liability in the so-called Casa Plaza scandal. The Anticorruption prosecutor calculated up to $147 million deviation of public funds, invoices and false certifications of work in which participated, among others, former high socialist posts of the autonomous community and managers in Aragón de Acciona, The work in question exceeded $360 million.

 

https://www.newsroompanama.com/business/iberian-companies-get-800-million-contracts-from-exiting-administration

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  • Moderator_02 changed the title to The Closing Months of the Varela Administration
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Lawmakers go Awol  from National Assembly

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Empty seats for no-show deputies

Posted 27/05/2019

Panama’s lawmakers on Monday, May 27,  thumbed their noses at the executive’s call extraordinary sessions, in the dying days of the current administration.

Of the 71 deputies that make up the National Assembly, only 27 showed up including  only five (one of them alternate) of the  16 deputies of the currently ruling  Panameñista party,

It  was anticipated expected that the deputies would  fulfill their constitutional  duty and begin discussion of important projects and ratifications including the designations of the electoral public prosecutor, magistrates of the Supreme Court and directors of the Panama Canal Authority.

The list discussion also includes the bill that creates the extraordinary bonus for retirees, the creation of a national commission for the review of pensions and the contract between the State and Minera Panamá.

In the absence of a quorum, the session was closed.

 

https://www.newsroompanama.com/news/lawmakers-go-awol-from-national-assembly

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  • Moderator_02 changed the title to The Closing Months of the Varela Administration, and the Varela Legacy
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Varela legacy includes nine unfinished health facilities.

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ONE of the structures 60% completed

Posted 23/06/2019

The legacy of the outgoing administration  will include nine unfinished hospitals and primary health centers, and the children’s hospital still awaiting the turning of the first sod.

President Varela Varela labeled the “tortoise” by some-   managed to find time for over 70 overseas jaunts, including soccer tournaments and in the last weeks of his term has participated in a marathon of ribbon-cutting ceremonies, but not one medical facility was included.

Ministry of Health authorities(Minsa) maintain that the situation is due to the corrective measures that had to be adopted in this administration to continue with the projects, since some structures were built in areas without access roads, water or electricity reports La Prensa.

In addition, there are works that are in international arbitration for late payments.

The situation has cost the State more money as the 5 hospitals and 4 health centers Minsa)Capsi) had an original value of $460.4 million, but now the figure has risen to $705.8 million.

Three hospitals and six Primary Health Care Centers of the Ministry of Health (Minsa-Capsi) that began to be built since the last administration (2009-2014) were not completed in the five-year period (2009-2019).

Julio Osorio, a representative of the National Negotiating Medical Commission (Comenenal) for the Transformation of the Public Health System, said that as solutions are sought for the shortage of medicines, efforts must be made to complete the multimillion-dollar structures of health.

The gray works that were left over from the Martinelli administration were not concluded due to lack of will".

He said that the situation that occurred with the health facilities was unprecedented citing. as examples the El Tigre de los Amarillos, in the province of Veraguas, which was built 21 kilometers from the source of electricity, while the Cuipo, in Ciricito, in the province of Colon, had no access to drinking water.

The designated Minister of Health of in the incoming administration Rosario Turner said that on Monday, June 24, they will meet with the current health authorities to discuss the issue.

 

https://www.newsroompanama.com/health/varela-legacy-includes-nine-unfinished-health-facilities

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OFF THE CUFF: Better the devil you know

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Victims atruggle to get president's ear

Posted 27/06/2019

During his term in office, with the stroke of a pen President Jun Carlos Varela handed out millions of dollars in discretionary payments for health treatment  to those with access to the corridors of power including $7,000 payment for surgery for  the removal of kidney stones of the  well paid Secretary General of the National Assembly, Franz Wever, currently charged with filching scores of thousands of dollars in fraudulent claims in the Diablos rojos (red devils) compensation scandal.

Now, cictims of accidents in the Metrobus transport system  who come from less privileged backgrounds, have demanded an "urgent meeting" with Varela who  leaves office on Sunday.

On Wednesday, June 26  the 28  victims who have been demonstrating near the presidential palace met with the Archbishop of Panama, José Domingo Ulloa, with the Ombudsman, Alfredo Castillero Hoyos, and the Director of Justice and Peace, Maribel Jaén, to find a solution to their demands.

They are calling for compensation from the Government for damages including amputations caused in accidents within a Metrobus. The Executive ordered a study to calculate the amount that would correspond to each of the affected users and promised to pay compensation before the end of the government, ie., Friday. Magaly Luna, one of the victims, said that she was frustrated by President Varela as with e two working days before his term ends the compensation payment has not been made.

Two weeks ago they held a protest around the Presidency and, Luna said, they were told that they would be given courtesy  room in this week's Cabinet Council, but it did not materialize

The concern of the victims is that the payment of compensation has to be endorsed by the Attorney General's Office and endorsed by the Comptroller and the Executive has not initiated the process. "Now they have 48 hours to solve this problem," Luna said.

 

https://www.newsroompanama.com/news/off-the-cuff-better-the-devil-you-know

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OFF THE CUFF: Varela’s last shoot

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Varela and his cabinet

Posted 30/06/2019

Panama’s outgoing president Juan Carlos Varela crammed in some final photo ops on Saturday, June 29 with  visits along with his cabinet, to the  95% finished National Theater restoration and the 96% completed  Terminal 2, in the hands of the Odebrecht company which has come under renewed scrutiny for its bribery record in Panama.

Varela did not visit the unfinished Amador Convention Center or five unfinished hospitals or the  Avenida site for the long-delayed new Hospital del Nino (children’s hospital)  still awaiting the turning of the first sod.

 

https://www.newsroompanama.com/news/off-the-cuff-varelas-last-shoot

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Varela was supposed to be the opposite of Martinelli, and in a way he was.  There is no indication that he was corrupt, but also unlike Martinelli, he didn't get much accomplished.  He stalled and stalled on appointing judges, did nothing to root out corruption in the courts or in the Assembly.  He wouldn't even investigate Orderbrecht until the international community did it for him.  He did get a lot of frequent flier miles, though. To the extent he had anything to do with the construction of the new Panamonte bridge, I thank him for that.

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