Former Panama President Dies

Guillermo Endara (April 2004 file photo)Former Panamanian President Guillermo Endara, who came to power after dictator General Manuel Noriega was overthrown, is dead at the age of 73.

The former president's doctor, Sergio Solis, says Mr. Endara died at his home late Monday. He had been suffering from kidney disease, but his doctor suspects he may have died of a heart attack.

Mr. Endara was elected president of Panama in 1989, but General Noriega nullified the election and repressed the country's opposition. Later that year a U.S. invasion toppled Noriega and put Mr. Endara in power.

During his presidency, he oversaw a rapid economic recovery in Panama and worked to restore its political institutions. But Mr. Endara encountered difficulties in meeting high public expectations and was voted out of office in 1994.

He ran for re-election twice more but was defeated both times.

Some information for this report was provided by AFP and AP.