politics

Navarro would accept VP nod

Navarro said he is willing to accept a slot on the PRD ticket, but a decision won’t be made until January.

Panama City Mayor Juan Carlos Navarro said yesterday that he would be willing to serve as a vice president if Balbina Herrera, who defeated him in the Partido Revolucionario Democrático (PRD) primaries, won the upcoming presidential election.

“I am ready to accept the vice presidency if she so desires,” Navarro said. “I said the same thing in September. We all have to make an effort so that the PRD can repeat its victory.”

He also reiterated his criticism of the government's failure to address the country's crime problem.

“Four-and-a-half years ago [President Martín] Torrijos came to power promising more security, and I think it is obvious that security in Panama is a disaster,” the mayor said.

Navarro said that Torrijos has an obligation to take urgent steps during the six months left in his term so that people can live in peace and freedom.

Opposition candidate Ricardo Martinelli also blamed the president for the country's growing crime problem. He suggested implementing tougher penalties to curb crime.

Herrera, meanwhile, declined to comment about her possible vice presidential choices, saying that she would announce that in January.

The candidates made their comments during various parades that were held during yesterday’s national holiday that is part of the month-long independence-related celebrations.