World Notes Panama

He was the country's first elected President in 16 years. But nearly twelve months after he took his oath of office to begin a five-year term, Nicolas Ardito Barletta, 47, a former World Bank vice president, had had enough. In a nationwide television address late last week, Barletta complained that forces within his governing coalition and in Panama's powerful, 15,000-member National Defense Forces "consider that they can no longer work with my presidency." With that, he announced that he was resigning. He was succeeded by First Vice President Eric Arturo Delvalle, a businessman with little political experience.

Barletta's tenure had never been easy. His narrow election victory in May 1984 over Populist Arnulfo Arias Madrid was marred by accusations of fraud at the ballot box. Critics also habitually charged that Barletta was manipulated by the strong-willed commander of Panama's Defense Forces, General Manuel Antonio Noriega. Last May, Barletta had to replace his entire 13-member Cabinet after the ministers resigned under pressure from restive members of his own coalition. In explaining his sudden resignation, Barletta said, "I wish to make a contribution to the keeping of peace in our country."