Panamanowonline.com was established to become the #1 news source in English in and around the Republic of Panama. Our goal is and will always be to provide the best possible up to date news and information in English geared at reporting on the issues that touch and effect the expat community in Panama. Through sharing relevant articles as reported in the local press as well as through contributing writers and affiliates this site was designed to share not just news and information but to provide a platform for our readership to tune in daily whether living, visiting or planning to relocate to Panama. Thank you for visiting our site, hasta la proxima vez!
Health

As reported last week, Panama plans for 5.5 million doses of vaccine early 2021.

https://www.laestrella.com.pa/economia/201125/panama-adquirira-5-5-millones The first doses are expected to arrive before March 2021, the rest would be between March and June. It is required to apply the vaccine to 70% of the population in order to contain the new coronavirus in the country. While the World Health Organization (WHO) asks to intensify the …

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Economy

David sees the opening of first major US Hotel chain as tourism seeks 2021 rebound.

https://www.prensa.com/resena-digital/hampton-by-hilton-abre-sus-puertas-en-david-el-primer-hotel-de-bandera-internacional-de-la-ciudad/ The opening of the hotel responds to the economic growth of Chiriquí and to the new demands of the market. David is the main commercial center of the province and from there commercial activities related to agricultural and livestock production are developed, the main lines on which the Chirican economy …

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International Relations

Guatemala calls on help from International Community to preserve “democracy” amid crisis.

https://www.laestrella.com.pa/internacional/america/201123/presidente-guatemala-invoca-carta-democratica-interamericana-crisis-vive-pais The president of Guatemala, Alejandro Giammattei, decided this Sunday to “invoke the Inter-American Democratic Charter” in the face of “the very serious events that have occurred in recent days” in the country, which is experiencing a crisis due to a massive protest on Saturday and the burning of Congress …

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Human Interest

GUATEMALA: The shit is hitting the fan.

https://www.prensa.com/mundo/manifestantes-incendian-sede-del-congreso-de-guatemala/ A group of people who participated, this Saturday, November 21, in a demonstration on the premises of the Guatemalan Congress broke some windows of the building and set fire without the police stationed in the place intervening. The protest was held to demand the resignation of the President of …

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Economy

SUNTRACS unhapy with progress of resumption of projects.

https://www.laestrella.com.pa/nacional/201116/suntracs-reporta-reincorporacion-13-mil-obreros-puestos The general secretary of the Single Union of Construction and Similar Workers (Suntracs), Saúl Méndez affirmed that as of Monday, November 16, 14 thousand workers have been reinstated to their jobs. This he said is important because the figures in March of suspended contracts were 23 thousand workers, that …

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Economy

Panama chooses Astra-Zeneca as multiple vaccines on verge of approval.

The Government of Panama approved this Wednesday in the Cabinet Council, Cabinet Resolution 93-20, which authorizes the Ministry of Health (Minsa), to proceed with the purchase of one million 92 thousand doses of the vaccine to prevent covid-19, from the British pharmaceutical AstraZeneca UK Limited, in association with Oxford University, …

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Health

Covid is un-relenting. Every step forward sees spikes globally.

The number of new cases of Covid-19 in Panama, in the last hours, was 1,112, reported the Ministry of Health (Minsa) in the epidemiological report of this Wednesday, November 18. With this figure, the country accumulates 149, 833 confirmed cases since the pandemic reached the country last March. Of this total, 129,755 recovered patients are …

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Editorial Contribution
1

PSG tip for ExPats: NOV 2020

BEWARE:  Panamá’s days of NOT PAYING TAXES are LONG GONE!!!Hello Reader’s!   Welcome to the first of what we hope will become a regular part of PNO.   Panasolutions Group will begin writing and contributing to PNO and it’s readers with helpful tips to help avoid some of the regular …

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Editorial Contribution

Nito reinforces “freedom of expression”. We shall see.

Nito want’s freedom of the press and “free expression”. Then let PNO freely express that his CABINET is LOADED with people on the TAKE. See VP and Minister. Nito claimed they would be expelled if proven. Look closer Nito, get eyes checked. Hope they all had a nice weekend……….#worstsecretinpanama. https://www.laestrella.com.pa/nacional/201022/aumentan-acciones-judiciales-medios …

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Economy

Panama City crawling back to life as restaurants are up and operating.

With dividers and panels up…..dining sees an uptick in the city. https://www.prensa.com/impresa/economia/80-de-los-restaurantes-estan-operando-ventas-suben-10/ Four weeks after the restart of operations after being closed for more than 7 months, the Association of Restaurants and Related Products of Panama, reports that 80% of the stores are operating. Domingo de Obaldia, president of the …

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Agriculture

For JB: Environment agency opening protected areas.

Buenas Dias: Josito https://www.prensa.com/impresa/panorama/miambiente-anuncia-reapertura-de-areas-protegidas-marinas/ The Ministry of the Environment (Miambiente) announced yesterday the reopening, as of next Monday, October 26, of a second group of natural areas under its protection. This time it is the reserves that include marine, aquatic and lake areas. Minsa makes official reactivation of new group of activities; walks to …

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Editorial Contribution
3

EX-PATS LIVES MATTER

…..APPARENTLY TO EVERYONE BUT “EX-PATS”. SHIT, GET OFF THE POT, or at the very least STOP the GODDAMN WHINING without CONVICTION. OP ED: Steven via All of PNO.com FINAL EDITORIAL: STEVEN- FBO/ PanamaNowOnline Good afternoon PANAMANOWONLINE visitors and readers. I am extremely happy to say that as I am writing this my …

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Human Interest

As does rest of world, Panama facing hearing the voices of growing LGBT community on marriage rights.

https://www.laestrella.com.pa/nacional/201005/cidh-enciende-debate-matrimonio The debate on the right to equal marriage ignited in Panama after the hearing held last Friday at the Inter-American Court of Human Rights (IACHR) requested by the Fundación Iguales. At the hearing, the IACHR condemned that Panamanian legislation is discriminatory in the sense of not having adjusted it …

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Economy

With country open, new cases still will occur.

https://www.laestrella.com.pa/nacional/201004/panama-reporta-633-casos-nuevos-covid-19-9-nuevas-defunciones Panama reported 633 new cases of covid-19, for a cumulative total of 115,286. To date, 5,249 tests were applied, for a positivity percentage of 12.1% and 9 new deaths have been registered, totaling 2,423 accumulated and a fatality of 2.1%. Active cases total 21,054. In home isolation, 20,211 people are …

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Agriculture

Panama to open Protected parks today.

Para: Josito https://www.prensa.com/sociedad/estas-son-las-14-areas-protegidas-que-abriran-al-publico-a-partir-de-este-lunes/ The Ministry of the Environment (MiAmbiente) reported that as part of the restart of activities in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic , a total of 14 terrestrial protected areas will open to the public starting this Monday, October 5. The Ministry of Health (Minsa) published on Friday in the Official Gazette the decree by …

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Infrastructure

Nito “attempting” to be tough and cut puppet strings of the past from ODEBRECHT.

https://www.prensa.com/judiciales/cortizo-sobre-caso-odebrecht-el-unico-acuerdo-que-queremos-que-cumplan-es-el-de-delacion-que-debieron-pagar-hace-tiempo/ The President of the Republic, Laurentino Cortizo, affirmed this Monday, September 28, that he recommends to the Judicial Organ not to reach any agreement with the Odebrecht company and that the payment established in the accusation agreement be complied with. TORRIJOS PLAYED. Odebrecht, which was fined for using the banking system to launder money, …

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"JB"

HOME SWEET HOME: Life after Ex-Pat Quarantine

OP ED: by James “JB” Bryson For my many Ex-Pat friends and acquaintances, I can tell you stepping back foot on American soil after NOT being permitted to has been surreal. The feeling of landing into Miami International Airport last week pumped a huge blast of oxygen into my lungs. …

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"JB"
1

Updated PNO business referral. PANASOLUTIONS GROUP LATAM

OP ED: James “JB” Bryson– Amazing what some “away time ” can accomplish for anyone during this time of Covid. For many Ex-Pats that have been stuck here in what is supposed to be our “paradise”, we are chomping at the bit to go home. Jose “Josito” Zapata will be …

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Human Interest

UN rightly and openly condemns “Dictator” Maduro of Human Rights crimes.

https://www.prensa.com/mundo/mision-de-la-onu-vincula-a-maduro-y-al-gobierno-venezolano-con-crimenes-de-lesa-humanidad/ Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and the most important ministers of his government are linked to possible “crimes against humanity,” said a UN mission on Wednesday when presenting a report that seeks the systematic use of torture and extrajudicial executions in that country. “The Mission found reasonable grounds to believe that the Venezuelan authorities and …

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Health

Hospitals showing signs of progress as Panama rapidly approaches full open borders.

https://www.prensa.com/impresa/panorama/mortalidad-de-pacientes-en-uci-disminuye-a-un-30/ After six months of the pandemic, doctors in Panama’s intensive care units have managed to reduce the mortality of patients with the Covid-19 disease who are admitted to intensive care units (ICU) by 30% . Julio Sandoval, advisor to the Ministry of Health (Minsa) on the subject of ICUs, assured that mortality went from 50% in …

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Economy

Something to look at for Ex-Pat owners of income properties.

https://www.prensa.com/impresa/panorama/reforma-a-la-ley-sobre-arrendamientos-se-mantiene-en-consulta/ The Ministry of Housing and Land Management (Miviot) consults with various sectors to make changes to Law 93 of October 4, 1973, which dictates measures on leases in the country. The draft of a change proposal, which the Miviot sent to some unions on September 8, has raised criticism among …

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Crime
1

This will NEVER lose attention on PNO.

OP ED: James “JB” Bryson- Josito mu amigo. It’s very important you ALWAYS maintain a hand up the ass of ODEBRECHT. This case is bigger than MOSSACK-FONSECA. https://www.prensa.com/impresa/panorama/caso-odebrecht-en-manos-de-marquinez/ The Odebrecht case, an iconic investigation that follows the trail of the millionaire bribes that the Brazilian construction company paid in Panama to award …

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Crime

Could Darien continue to grow into the drug funnel of Latin America?

OP ED: Coming from a Customs background……just saying this area screams as a conduit for illegal contraband. https://www.laestrella.com.pa/nacional/200901/senafront-aprehende-dos-colombianos-e-incauta-785-paquetes-drogas-darien Units of the National Border Service (Senafront), through surveillance and verification work, apprehended two Colombian citizens after locating in the Playa Cocal sector in Darién, 15 sacks with 785 packages with alleged …

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Human Interest

Enough depressing shit…..Panamanians helping Panamanians. Enjoy

https://www.prensa.com/impresa/vivir/un-bocado-de-esperanza/ Cocinando y Donando (Cocydon ) is a social gastronomy initiative that was born in 2016, when Luis Fernando Norato cooked 12 dishes in the kitchen of his apartment to distribute them to people who were homeless. Some time later, this gesture of solidarity became a gastronomic movement made up of …

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Health

Panama bullish on COVID progress as country looks to re-open.

Panama maintains below 1 the effective reproductive number of cases (Rt) or average value of the contagion rate of the Covid-19 disease . https://www.prensa.com/impresa/panorama/panama-cerca-de-lograr-el-control-de-la-epidemia/ This was reported by the Ministry of Health (Minsa) by detailing that the Rt of the last epidemiological week (August 23 to 29) was 0.96; the one reported in the previous epidemiological …

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"JB"

Meditation— I’m doing it, you should to.

OP ED: by James “JB” Bryson– I can tell you that my wife would come unglued if I continued to blog or post about negative shit, and not post this article. She has “personally” re -Tweeted it and shared it with her cache of friends already. “Happy wife, Happy life” …

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Health

End of August shows some positive signs of Covid decline…..but not out of woods.

In recent days the impact of the new coronavirus has decreased and the figures for August project that they will be lower compared to July, which was the month where the virus hit the country the hardest. According to statistics from the Ministry of Health (Minsa) until yesterday’s report, Tuesday, August 25, …

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"JB"

Flights resuming at Tocumen as Panama slowly crawls back to life….”JB” soon out!

OP ED: By James “JB” Bryson After a major surge in infections after the first failed attempt at re-opening the country, flights are now beginning to bleed slowly out of the country as certain permissions have been granted for travel. As many have still contacted me via email and friends …

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"JB"

Ex-Pat Struggles during COVID. One Opinion

by James “JB” Bryson So as we are approaching 5 MONTHS of essentially home imprisonment, the term EX PAT takes on a bit of a different meaning. After 12 YEARS, and being an AMERICAN citizen, being an EX PAT has always translated to a good thing. Being away from the …

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Crime

This HAS to be a movie one day. ODEBRECHT crime is as big as any story in US.

https://www.laestrella.com.pa/nacional/200727/convenio-odebrecht-acuerdo-premiado-e The MEF and the Public Ministry, entities that must provide information on the payment of the fines imposed on the construction company Odebrecht, do not do so or do not find the figure in their records. The company is inhibited from giving statements about it Neither the Ministry of Economy …

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