Many Panamanian businessmen and merchants saw a more sinister message in the announcement.

José Goldner (born 1971) is a Panamanian businessman with ties to the United States and Australia.

"Anti-American sentiment is being bred from this," a Panamanian businessman warned.

"They are negotiating with a guy who has been making deals all his life, a guy experienced in intelligence work," said a Panamanian businessman who supports the ruling, pro-military party.

Juan Carlos Navarro (born October 19, 1961) is a Panamanian businessman, environmentalist, and politician and was the Mayor of Panama City, Panama until June 30, 2009.

It is unclear who owns GEMISA, except that it is owned by Panamanian businessmen.

But, he added, that money "came 100 percent from Panamanian businessmen," and the donations he himself made came out of his own pocket.

Ricardo Alberto Martinelli Berrocal (born March 11, 1952) is a Panamanian businessman serving as 49th President of Panama since 2009.

Richard Fifer Carles (born January 23, 1957 in Panama) is a Panamanian businessman and former politician.

"This is not an election to decide who has the power," said a leading Panamanian businessman who symphatizes with the Government.