Italian Force is Strong in Panama, Berlusconi Coming

In its 106 years as a republic, Panama has never been closer to Italy.

Martinelli, Ferrufino, Tamburrelli, Francolini, Ameglio, Bonissi, Bianchini, Bonadíes, Mangravita, Cermelli, Pedreschi, Latorraca, Spadafora, DellaTogna, Dutari, Grisolia, Corcione, Chiari, Barletta and Stagnaro are some of the powerful names in Panama.

In the current administration, Guillermo Ferrufino is the Minister of Social Development. Giacomo Tamburrelli was named Director of the Social Investment Fund. Marco Ameglio in on the Board of Directors of the Panama Canal Authority, Giuseppe Bonissi is the Acting Attorney General. Gioconda de Bianchini is State Comptroller and Ricardo Francolini is on the board of the Savings Bank.  Guido Martinelli, the President’s cousin, is Panama’s Ambassador to Italy.  The list goes on.

Italy’s Vice Minister of International Commerce and Economic Development, Adolfo Urso,  was just in Panama with a delegation of 28 companies from the construction, energy and transportation sectors. No mention of any Italian telecom representatives.

President Martinelli has visited Italy twice since he came to power last year, and Italy’s President, Silvio Berlusconi, to Panama’s excitement, has confirmed his end-of-July visit to Panama.

La Prensa reports.