The Ibero-American Governance Barometer 2010 listed President Ricardo Martinelli among the “well qualified” leaders of the region.

The survey conducted by the Latin American Consortium of Market Research and Consulting revealed Martinelli’s high marks. Out of the 512 people who were surveyed 63% answered approve to the question “approve or disapprove of the President’s mandate”

The survey shows that 32% of respondents believe that  Martinelli isn’t doing well, with the problem of corruption 26% believe it is “not either good nor bad”, and the remaining 18% thinks it’s good. For unemployment issues 38% believe the President is neither  good nor bad, 24% “very good” and “good” and 27% think he is doing badly.

Lack of security remains at the forefront of problems faced by Panamanians, 54% of respondents surveyed said that insecurity is the biggest problem in the country; 14% said that crime while 10% believe it is corruption. The survey also noted that the Church is the institution that generates more trust, with 85% of approval. Banks follow with 69%, education 65%, news/television 59%, private enterprises 56%, security forces with 46% and the press with 44%. Political parties with 11% and the National Assembly with 15%.

The Barometer was applied in 21 countries, (18 in Latin America) in  April, 11207 people were surveyed in total. by  PSM-Sigma Dos. 

For Central America the results were Mauricio Funes, President of El Salvador as “the best qualified” with an approval of 71%, followed by Costa Rica's former President Oscar Arias with 68%. Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula Da Silva remains in the lead with an approval of 74%, followed closely by Alvaro Uribe President of Colombia, with 71%.