Cruising for a bruisin' with the Endaras

Avid readers of our site will know that we don't hold Panamanian politicians in very high esteem, but we have to make an exception for Ana Mae Diaz de Endara, the wife of former president Guillermo Endara. She is not just an unguided missile, she is the mother of all unguided missiles, and as such provides endless amounts of fun. Who doesn't remember how then president Endara told bewildered journalists how his wife had beaten him on the head? However, although we understand that some may consider this refreshing or even sexy, in politics it may be impractical. Ask Arnulfo Arias. Nevertheless, Ana "Hurricane" Mae is now at it again, causing uproar and turmoil in Vanguardia Moral (VM), the political party that was formed after her interventions had caused the Endaras to leave Union Patriotica.

So now what? Well, first VM promised to support the candidacy of Miguel Antonio Bernal for mayor of Panama City and now Ana Mae, against her husband's will, leads the pack that wanted to support Jose Teran (former health minister and Mireya novio) for mayor and Alberto Vallarino as presidential candidate, both of the Panamenista Party. Consistent with her talent for betting on the wrong horse, that couple then lost the primaries to Carlos Varela and fake mayor candidate Bobo Bosco (a TV perfumes salesman who now dabbles in real estate promotion). So now there's trouble in the Endara party, which on top of it all has lost 24,000 members since last year. Oh, and all the directors resigned. More to follow, no doubt.