Financials

Foundation calls for end to “discretionary funds” for Deputies

The Foundation for Development and Citizen Liberty (Panamanian chapter of Transparency International ) asked the Executive “not to devote more discretionary funds for the management of deputies,” and that the Office of the Comptroller General of the Republic be allowed to audit the items used by the National Assembly to …

Crime

Financial Pacific pyramid case continues with questionable $8.5 million loan satisfaction

Without a visible bank refinancing certification, Riccardo Francolini – who was benefited yesterday with a bail of $ 100 thousand in the Financial Pacific case – paid a loan of $ 8.5 million in 9 months . The money was requested on loan to buy a ” Plug & Grind …

International Relations

World Cup allows Varela to get cozy with Putin

The Foreign Ministry of the Republic clarifies that the next trip of President Juan Carlos Varela to Russia includes a meeting with the President of that country Vladimir Putin , in Moscow , and a “business meeting” to promote investment. Counters $ 100 thousand for Varela’s tour to the World …

Energy/Infrastructure

Panama looks to capitalize on Solar for the future

It is a call that insistently touches the shoulder of every nation. The duty of each of them is to accelerate the transition to an energy system based on renewable technologies, that is, to develop clean energies. What is left behind are fossil fuels to reduce the polluting emissions of …

Legal

Martinelli will not obstruct extradition process

Former President Ricardo Martinelli , who has been detained in Miami since June 12, has decided not to obstruct the process of his extradition to Panama. The bail hearing for Martinelli will be on July 19 in Miami Decision to grant bail to Martinelli, temporarily suspended ‘There are reasons to …

International Relations

Trump cancels planned historic meeting with DPRK

US President Donald Trump announced Thursday in a letter to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un that the summit scheduled for June 12 in Singapore was canceled due to the “open hostility” shown by Pyongyang. Trump asks China to better control its border with North Korea “Unfortunately, based on the …

"JB"
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Who could be the NEXT PRESIDENT of PANAMA?

by James “JB” Bryson Who could become the next President of Panama??? So here at PNO.com we get all sorts of questions and inquiries and they range from anything and everything you can imagine relating to Panama.  But I have to say hands down the most frequently asked question I …

Chiriqui

Resources denied to Chiriqui Hydroelectric plant

The Third Chamber of the Supreme Court of Justice denied three appeals seeking to stop the cancellation of the Barriles hydroelectric project in the province of Chiriquí. Hidroeléctrica Barriles, SA, through the Morgan & Morgan law firm, filed an administrative claim for annulment against a note from the Chiriqui Regional …

Agriculture

Steps taken to combat illegal fishing operations

Technicians from institutions linked to the fishing sector of Panama gathered at a technical meeting to advance in the fight against illegal fishing and in the implementation of the Agreement on Port State Measures, the Global Registry of fishing vessels, transport, refrigerated and supply, and other international instruments. The country …

Human Interest

Panamanians have low participation in high positions

The incorporation into the economic activity of women in Panama is far from assimilating to their educational achievements with an imbalance in their labor participation and decision-making positions in companies, since 12 percent have females in senior management positions, when the goal defined by international studies is 33 percent. This …

Sport

Spanish legends Torres and Iniesta bid farewell to Club Team play

First it was Fernando Torres, then Andrés Iniesta. The league of Spain ended on Sunday with the farewell of two idols of their respective teams. Torres finished his laureate career with his childhood team, Atlético de Madrid, with two goals in a 2-2 draw against Eibar. Hours later, Iniesta ended …

International Relations

Varela continues flip flopping over Venezuela.

We hope that President [Nicolás] Maduro, who is still in his current constitutional period, reflect and use these remaining months of his current period to seek peace and democracy and ways of meeting in his people.” Panama ignores election results in Venezuela Nicolás Maduro is re-elected in Venezuela amid controversy …

Bocas del Toro
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Missing body found in Changuinola River

The Joint Task Force located the body of a 29-year-old man who was dragged by the waters of the Changuinola River, Bocas del Toro province. + info FTC resumes search for missing man in Changuinola river This was announced by the general director of the National Civil Protection System, José …

Crime

Yet another arrest in Financial Pacific pyramid. Posted yesterday on PON.com

The seventh anticorruption prosecutor, Leyda Sáenz, ordered yesterday the preventive detention of merchant Riccardo Francolini for alleged anomalies in transactions made through the Jal Offshore company in the Financial Pacific (FP) brokerage house. Francolini, who is being investigated for allegedly committing the crime of money laundering, was transferred to the …

Canal

Canal Tugboat Captains file criminal complaint

The tugboat captains of the Panama Canal yesterday filed a criminal complaint against waterway administrators, accusing them of having affected maritime transport on 12 and 13 April, by unilaterally eliminating the third seaman who goes aboard the tugboats to support the transit of the neopanamax. The Union of Captains and …

Crime

New allegations in case of Mossack-Fonseca.

The Second Special Prosecutor’s Office against Organized Crime announced on Tuesday May 22 that performs nine search proceedings, nine conductions and the respective investigations of ten accused, who have been charged with the alleged commission of the crime of money laundering , as part of the investigation that seeks to …

Agriculture

$52.2 Million Bond started for Latin America Environmental progress

The Development Bank of Latin America (CAF) announced the placement of the first green bond for an amount of $ 52.2 million, to finance various projects with high environmental and social impact in the region. The financing, which will be for a term of ten years and a coupon of …

Crime

Financial Pacific pyramid scheme back in the headlines

A case that occupied the front pages of the media six years ago, the embezzlement to the stock house Financial Pacific, culminated with the phase of allegations that were heard in a preliminary hearing held on Friday in order to determine the responsibility of each of the accused. Judge Johann …

International Relations

UPDATE: Varela states Panama will continue to seek diplomacy in light of questioned election

President Juan Carlos Varela announced that Panama will continue with the cordial relationship it maintains with Venezuela, while the constitutional term of President Nicolás Maduro, who was re-elected yesterday, ends. Varela gave statements after the Lima Group announced that it does not know the results of the presidential elections in …

"JB"
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Bocas Del Toro weekend trip: WTF is happening there?

by James “JB” Bryson Good morning PNO.com visitors. I would hope all had a pleasant weekend. If you checked in last week, I mentioned how a friend and fellow ex pat of mine named “Buddy” made the trek from Panama City to Bocas del Toro this past weekend.  Taking every …

Human Interest

Reprieve denied for former Martinelli secretary in unjustified enrichment case.

The Twelfth Criminal Court denied a request to lift the precautionary measures imposed on a beach house valued at $ 400 thousand, owned by Adolfo Chichi De Obarrio , former private secretary of former President Ricardo Martinelli. Adolfo ‘Chichi’ De Obarrio bought gold bullion for $ 759 thousand They ask …

Human Interest

Truce brief as Nicaraguans return to streets in protest

Thousands of Nicaraguans marched on Sunday, May 20, peacefully in the capital and other cities while accusing the government of breaching a truce, following an attack on a university, while the complaints continue before the IACHR . Four injured in full truce between government and opponents in Nicaragua IACHR asks …

Human Interest

75% of Panamanians receiving some measure of Social Security assistance.

The population protected by the Social Security Fund (CSS) between 1990 and 2016 went from 1.2 million to 3 million 26,769 people, which represents 75% of the country’s population. The figures, from the CSS and the Comptroller General of the Republic , show that in 26 years the entity went …

Legal

Abuse of paid leave exposed within National Assembly

Between last July and April of this year, the day on which the legislative period ended, 63 of the 71 deputies of the National Assembly made use of paid leave to be absent from plenary sessions. Although a good number of deputies qualified their deputies, there were cases in which …

Energy/Infrastructure

AdaptAmericas in Panama leads forum on climate change

The consequences of climate change have given rise to initiatives that turn situations of risk into opportunities in areas such as transport, water management and construction. In Canada, for example, the Pievc Protocol has been extended, which estimates infraestrategy vulnerability to environmental threats. It is a decision-making tool that assesses …

International Relations

Panama not to recognize landslide Maduro result

Panama ignored the results of Sunday’s elections in Venezuela, in which President Nicolás Maduro was re-elected with almost 68% of the votes, considering that the process was not democratic. Nicolás Maduro is re-elected in Venezuela amid controversy “The government of the Republic of Panama does not recognize the results of …

International Relations

Who is the man that is challenging Maduro??

With an electoral process in doors, Venezuela could face the possibility of slowing down the advance of the Chavez era. In a contest that will determine the destiny of the nation for the period 2019-2025, Nicolás Maduro will measure his mistakes against two opponents, one of them a long-standing politician, who …

Sport

Guardiola extends with EPL Champions Manchester City until 2021

Spanish coach Pep Guardiola extended his contract for two seasons with Manchester City , which will lead until 2021, announced on Thursday the Premier League champion. “I’m very happy and satisfied, it’s a pleasure to be able to work here,” said Guardiola, who arrived at City for the 2016-2017 season …

Crime

Another former Latin leader facing crimes, Argentinean President blamed for factory explosion

An Argentine court confirmed this Thursday, May 17, the prosecution without pre-trial detention of former president and senator Carlos Menem , 87, as alleged mastermind of the explosion of a military factory that left seven dead in 1995. The crime for which Menem is accused – as well as the …

Human Interest

AG states National Assembly has “something to hide”.

The Attorney General of the Administration, Rigoberto González , said on Thursday, May 17 that the National Assembly should be an open-door institution and willing to receive the Comptroller’s Office to carry out the corresponding audits, since it is a “high institution” and the of greater reference “in the example …