Panama studies asylum petition of Ecuadorian ex-president Bucaram
The Panamanian government confirmed Tuesday the arrival in Panama of ex-president of Ecuador Abdala Bucaram, and said it will study a new political asylum petition filed by Bucaram.

Bucaram submitted the petition Monday evening before departing for Panama and after having appeared at the Panamanian Embassy to Peru, local media reported.

The Panamanian Foreign Ministry said Bucaram's petition will be closely assessed.

Bucaram returned to Ecuador on April 2, after staying in Panama as a political refugee since 1997, when he was sacked by his country's parliament on the grounds of a supposed "mental incapacity" to govern.

His return came after Ecuador's Supreme Court suspended two trials for corruption against him and allowed him to return.

But he is now wanted by the government of Alfredo Palacios, who became provisional president after the ouster of Lucio Gutierrez by Congress on Wednesday following massive protests against alleged corruption and abuse of power.

Some analysts believe the pardoning of Bucaram by the Supreme Court appointed by Gutierrez was one of the factors that fueled discontent leading to his downfall.