(Vatican Radio) The vice president of Panama, who fell out with the President has
won the top job . But a residue of bitterness lingers on, following the result.
Unlike
in many other Latino nations Juan Carlos Varela needed an outright majority rather
than a percentage victory to win in Panama's Presidential Election, and he's done
just that.
Vice President Varela, wasn't President Ricardo Martinell's hand
picked successor. The two have been at arm's length since Martinelli fired Varela
from his other job as Foreign minister in 2011. The political distance between them
has since ebbed into a gulf, appreciably wider than the Panama Canal.
President
Martinelli's preferred Candidate was Jose Domingo Arias, and Martinelli's Wife Marta
Linares was the Candidate for Vice President.
Varela has pointedly said better
times are on their way, and is calling for unity. But Martinelli has tersely responded
quote: "God help us!"
Venezuela who severed ties with Martinelli's Administration
has been swift in congratulating Varela. Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro says
he hopes there can be a significant improvement in relations with next Government.