The International Air Transport Association (IATA), which encompasses a large part of the world’s airlines, renewed its call to eliminate barriers to air travel, at a time when COVID-19 cases are falling by the greatest number. part of the regions and many countries are reducing those restrictions. In a statement, …

While it almost always involves the biggest criminal organization outside cartels in Latin America (ODEBRECHT), you never have to look hard to see the elite taking advantage. Today I will re-post a few to bring your attention to. It is this “hidden handshake” club that permeates the entirety of Panama, …

A visible retrospective of Panamanian growth over the years. https://www.laestrella.com.pa/nacional/220219/transformacion-frente-costero-ciudad-panama   The vertiginous process of transformation of the sea front of Panama City has been characterized by legal controversies, regarding the legality or not of transferring as private property, the filling of areas such as the seabed, mangroves and beaches. …

An unprecedented crisis is experienced by the Municipality of Changuinola, in Bocas del Toro, as a result of the fact that the municipality has been closed for 26 days in protest because the eight representatives of the Democratic Revolutionary Party refuse to ratify the treasurer appointed by the mayor Yesica Romero . …

For the Ex-Pats that are financially dependent on their 401Ks and Retirement accounts, the foreseeable future will be a test of patience and resolve. The tensions on the border of the Ukraine in lockstep with the anticipation of a March Interest rate hike have the markets struggling to adjust.  Every …

Anyone flying into Tocumen from anywhere can see the brown and gray water that make up the “bay” that is supposed to be so vital to Panama tourism. The fact is outside of areas like Bocas and Contadora, the real beauty of Panama is missed by the massive failure of …

We would see cats all around our condo when last in Panama. Our housekeeper took in one, and we would of course have liked to help more. I am anxious to see what the area looks like after such a long leave of absence, but this news seems promising. https://www.laestrella.com.pa/nacional/220217/fundacion-manchitas-afirma-han-recibido-aporte-economico-gobierno-central …

I have expressed my thanks to those that have stayed in contact long after Covid and my time in the hospital. Not a army of people, but I am thankful that PNO and the ExPat Exchange has allowed me to meet some great people. I have been a huge proponent …

Listen to tape for audio: https://www.prensa.com/impresa/panorama/tocumen-acusa-a-odebrecht-ante-el-tacp/ Tocumen SA accused the Odebrecht company of presenting false arguments and misrepresenting the airport’s position before the Administrative Court of Public Procurement (TACP). Tocumen asks the public procurement court to reject Odebrecht’s letter The Brazilian company presented a document to the TACP where it assures that …

In addition to the logging issues we opined on in the Darien region last PNO was up and full of gas, we felt the need to alert Ex-Pats and locals alike about the immigration passages that exist there.   In reading today, it seems it is an issue that Panama has …

https://www.laestrella.com.pa/nacional/220215/idaan-avanza-construccion-importantes-obras-abastecimiento-agua   The construction of important drinking water supply projects advances the Institute of National Aqueducts and Sewers (Idaan) at the national level, many of which are in the delivery phase and others with considerable physical progress.   Among those that are close to being delivered is the project for …

What was in the construction phase when I was last in Panama, is poised to now become the flagship terminal for air travel into Panama. Anxious to see what so much money went into, and then my mind wanders to those who profited greatly under Varela during it’s approval, planning, …

To all friends and contacts met through the Ex-Pat Exchange and via direct contact, consult the consulate and embassies before planning a long term return from the states.  My battle with COVID was absolutely brutal and compounded by my other health issues. I miss the warm temperature for certain, but …

https://www.laestrella.com.pa/nacional/220214/ops-inmunizacion-covid-19-sido-efectiva-reducir-numero-hospitalizacion   According to the most recent report of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), the fourth wave of covid-19 infections that has been registered in Panama, since the end of December 2021, with a sharp increase in positive cases, “apparently” is having a “decline” in a short period of …

https://www.prensa.com/sociedad/data-studio-casos-de-coronavirus-covid-19-en-panama/   Visit link to listen to update.   The Ministry of Health (Minsa) reported that 1,203 new cases have been reported this Sunday, for a total of 742,854 infections by covid-19 in the country. 12 deaths are recorded in the last 24 hours for a cumulative of 7,950 deaths …

A long expected hello back to the visitors of PNO. Needless to say, it has been AWHILE. For those ex-pats and daily readers that stayed in touch either through e-mail or to Steven, I would like to say “thank you”.  You are all very kind. To be clear, I had …

More to come soon. Thanks to all for the well wishes over the past year.

JAMES BRYSON DID NOT WRITE THIS ARTICLE; this is merely an ENGLISH TRANSLATION OF “LA CRITICA” https://www.critica.com.pa/nacional/denuncia-red-frog-sigue-vendiendo-fincas-propiedad-de-tres-cruces-de-oro-606475     La Crítica 6/22/2021   The Tres Cruces de Oro group, a subsidiary of Six Diamonds Resorts International, denounced the fact that the Red Frog Beach group continues to sell lots and …

First and foremost, we hope that all are having a SAFE summer. We hope that people realize that COVID is still a threat and to not be footloose and fancy free and remain diligent. Secondly, JB is recovering well in Illinois and is far away from all this Haley/Bolton bullshit. …