PANAMA President Juan Carlos Varela has taken a hammering  in local media and on social networks after  his speech  at  the UN General Assembly on Wednesday, September 26 when he failed to mention Omar Torrijos  who,  with US President Jimmy Carter signed  the Canal Treaty, which led to  the handing over of the Canal at the start of the 21^st Century. His thanks were reserved for Carter while Torrijos, father of former President Martin Torrijos was ignored.

[caption id="attachment_88919" align="alignleft" width="300"] Carter and Torrijos at the Sep 7 1977 signing[/caption]

Taking a lead from President Trump, Varela bragged of his achievements claiming full prosperity and the reduction of crime. "Panama is a different country from the one I received in 2014", was one of the phrases which riled local talking heads.

According to the president, insecurity has been reduced in the country by 50%,  while the economic capacity of communities has been increased.