politics

President sets travel record

la prensa

martín torrijos1113458

In his 50 months as president, Martín Torrijos has traveled abroad much more than previous presidents Guillermo Endara and Mireya Moscoso.

In total, Torrijos has taken 76 trips outside the country, an average of 1.5 per month.

Many of these trips have been to promote the free trade agreement with the United States and to attend regional conferences. The president also traveled to Miami to speak at a forum of leaders organized by the Microsoft Corporation.

However, reports show that Torrijos also has spent time traveling with his family on vacation, going to Spain and Uruguay. He also went to Belize to accept a posthumous medal on behalf of his father. He also vacationed in the United States on two occasions.

During the last presidential campaign, Torrijos accused Moscoso of “political tourism,” or using her office as an excuse to visit foreign countries. But Torrijos is a frequent flyer compared to his predecessors.

Guillermo Endara traveled abroad 23 times, Mireya Moscoso left the country 40 times and Ernesto Pérez Balladares traveled 49 times.

Torrijos, however, is on track to set a presidential travel record. Based on the frequency of his trips, it is likely he will travel abroad more than 90 times during his term.

Former Vice President Guillermo Ford said that, in a country where there are so many needs, it is unacceptable that the president travels so much.

“When you have to sign international conventions, it is understood, but the president has abused the nobility of the people,” Ford said.