The Bull and the Lady

PANAMA. Previous presidents Ernesto Perez Balladares and Mireya Moscoso could also have a remembrance moment.

In the presidential term 1994 to 1999, The “Bull” approved reforms to the work code, privatized public services and started the construction of highway corridors in Panama city.

His politics of free trade led to Panama’s entrance to the World Trade Organization in 1995.

Failure to negotiate a drug trafficking program that he thought disadvantageous to Panama, resulted in the cancelling of his American visa under the supposed charges of corruption regarding human traffic though proof was never publicly provided by the US.

Balladares tried to be relected and gave Panamanians a referendum to decide. The answer was no.

Panama’s first female president Mireya Moscoso, had the honor of receiving the Canal Administration from the US government on December 31, 2000, in accordance with the Torrijos -Carter Treaty of 1977.

She revoked the law that eliminated preferential interests rates for lower cost homes and focused the Social Investment Fund (FIS) on the construction of rural roads and wells.

She gets credit for making Panama a cruise ship departure point and building the Tucan Museum for children.

On the last day of her term, she made world headlines when she pardoned Luis Posada Carriles, Gaspar Jiménez, Pedro Remón and Guillermo Novo Sampol, accused of trying to murder Cuban leader Fidel Castro during his visit in Panama in the Iberoamerican Summit, causing Cuba and Venezuela to break off diplomatic relations with Panama.