The wife of the president of Panama says he has a rare blood disorder
Jasmine Colon, the wife of Panamanian President Laurentino Cortizo, said Sunday that he suffers from a low-risk type of a rare blood disorder known as myelodysplastic syndrome.
According to the American Cancer Society, myelodysplastic syndromes are a type of cancerous tumor that affects the body's ability to produce healthy blood cells in the bone marrow.
"Good news. He suffers from myelodysplasia, but he is low risk," she said in an audio message broadcast by local media, and Reuters confirmed the authenticity of the recording.
Cortizo traveled with his wife to the United States a week ago for tests.
His condition was first discovered last month, but Cortizo said he would seek a second opinion.
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