World IN BRIEF : PANAMA : Ruben Blades Will Run for President

Ruben Blades, a popular salsa star and actor, confirmed his intention to run for Panama’s presidency in next May’s elections. “I am going to be nominated, most likely in November. I am going to accept the nomination,” Blades, 45, said. “I think if we run, we win, but we have to run well.” Blades founded and leads the Papa Egoro movement, named after a Panamanian Indian term for Mother Earth, which is holding its party congress in Panama City next month. His comments end a year of speculation over his candidacy and confirm Blades’ role as the wild card of Panama’s election campaign. Most recent polls have given Blades 20% support to win the presidency--double his closest rivals.