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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
Aleman promises transparency before potential audit
The Minister of the Presidency, Álvaro Alemán, referred to the conflict that arose between the National Assembly and the Office of the Comptroller General of the Republic , for the audit ordered to form 080, on the hiring that each deputy performs. Assembly appeals to the Court to stop audit …
More money laundering cases coming into the light
The Seventh Anticorruption Prosecutor’s Office summoned Riccardo Francolini , at 9:00 a.m. today, to make an inquiry statement as part of the investigation into the transfers of money made by Jal Offshore Ltd., through an account of investment I had in the defunct stock house Financial Pacific (FP) . In …
Panama signs new Free Trade Agreement with Israel
In the framework of the meeting between the president of Panama, Juan Carlos Varela and the Prime Minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, the signing of a Free Trade Agreement and a memorandum of understanding on agricultural matters was celebrated. The Free Trade Agreement, signed by the Minister of Commerce and …
Former El Slavador president heads to trial in $310 Million Corruption scandal
A judge in El Salvador decided Wednesday to send former President Elías Antonio Saca (2004-2009) and six collaborators to trial, to answer for the deviation of 301 million dollars during his administration, the Prosecutor’s Office said. “The Fourth Court of Instruction of San Salvador sends to trial former President Elías …
Maduro looks to mirror DPRK, have direct talks with US.
The president of Venezuela , Nicolás Maduro , called on Wednesday, May 15, to the United States to dialogue as he does with the North Korean leader, Kim Jong-Un , warning that he will not surrender to the threats of Donald Trump . Grupo de Lima makes ‘last call’ to …
Varela tour continues to Israel, Netanyahu.
On his second day of touring Israel, the President of the Republic, Juan Carlos Varela , met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Presidents of Panama and Israel meet in Jerusalem Varela meets with British Prime Minister Theresa May The relationship between Panama and the United Kingdom is ‘at its …
Minister of Security under fire for corruption claims by retired police.
An Amparo of Constitutional Guarantees against the Minister of Security, Alexis Betancourt, presented the Association of Retirees of the National Police in the Supreme Court of Justice. “The protection of guarantees states that the Ministry of Security violates due process and effective judicial protection by refusing to give due process …
Drama swirling around possible return of Martinelli.
by James “JB” Bryson I find the story surrounding the possible return of President Martinelli quite fascinating. It plays out like a Shakespearean play right before your eyes. All of the vitriol and self righteous rhetoric coming from Varela, whom all know to be a shill of Martinelli for many, …
DPRK backpeddles ahead of monumental US talks
North Korea threatened on Wednesday to cancel the planned summit between leader Kim Jong Un and US President Donald Trump if Washington goes ahead with its demand that Piongyang unilaterally abandon its nuclear arsenal. If the US government “corners us and asks us unilaterally to abandon our nuclear weapons we …
UK claims that Panama relations have never been better.
The Panamanian Chancellery, the office of British Prime Minister Theresa May , the Embassy of the United Kingdom in Panama and several State Ministers, have highlighted the cordiality of the meeting held last Monday, in London, between May and President Juan Carlos Varela , thus denying any disagreement between both …
Lawsuit against “Code” reaches Supreme Court
A claim of unconstitutionality against some sentences of article 193 of the single text of the Electoral Code , referring to pre-election public financing for the 2019 general elections, was presented to the Supreme Court of Justice (CSJ) . The lawyer Roberto Ruiz Diaz filed the appeal after considering that …
Comptroller promises “audit” of National Assembly
The General Comptroller of the Republic notified this Tuesday, May 15, the president of the National Assembly (AN) , Yanibel Ábrego , who will proceed to carry out a “forensic audit” to form 080 , which contains the contracts of the personnel that works for the deputies, and that since …
Attorney General requests to be recused from poisoning case.
The Attorney General of the Administration, Rigoberto González, asked the Third Chamber of the Supreme Court of Justice to declare him precluded from hearing the civil lawsuits against the State, filed by hundreds of people affected by the massive poisoning with medication contaminated with diethylene glycol. At least 323 lawsuits …
PETROBAS, and dirty cops scandal dismantled in Brazil
The Brazilian police today dismantled a network of international traffic of narcotics in which participated at least one investigated in the operation Lava Jato, which investigates the vast corruption scandal uncovered in the state oil company Petrobras, informed official sources today. About 90 agents of the Federal Police served eight …
Crisis in Nicaragua leads to more fatalities
The city of Masaya, a little over 25 kilometers southeast of Managua, awoke in chaos and destruction after uninterrupted clashes between anti-riot agents and Sandinista mobs against the protesters. On Sunday, Nicaragua celebrated 26 days of a crisis that has left at least 54 dead, caused by massive demonstrations in …
Group makes last effort call to suspend elections in Venezuela
The Lima Group yesterday made a “last call” to the government of Nicolás Maduro to suspend the presidential elections on May 20. Meeting in Mexico City, the representatives of the Group condemned Maduro’s ‘regime’, demanding Caracas ‘free, fair and transparent’ elections, reported La Voz de América. Monday’s meeting in the …
Class system struggles awash all of Venezuela under Maduro rule
Corina lives in a luxurious house but can not frequent restaurants; Federico , journalist, does not have for the cinema; and Alida , a seller, longs to eat chicken but it is not enough. Even with their class differences, the crisis changed their lives. The arepa – corn tortilla typical …
Administration accounts remain questioned.
As mentioned and posted yesterday, and followed up today, the scrutiny over the travel polices of the Varela administration continues. James “JB” Bryson- La Prensa aticle— The Attorney General of the Administration, Rigoberto González , when questioned about the trips of the officials, like those of the president, Juan Carlos …
Varela jetsetting again, meets with UK Prime Minister May
At 10 Downing Street, in the city of London, the Panamanian President, Juan Carlos Varela , met Monday May 14 with the British Prime Minister, Theresa May . May and Varela will discuss different topics to strengthen British and Panamanian relations, including the one related to the Panamanian commitment to …
Gender parity to be maintained through Electoral process
With the intention of “guaranteeing” gender parity in the nominations of political parties during the Panamanian electoral process, the Electoral Tribunal repealed the articles of Decree No. 19 of April of this year . This was reported by the Electoral Tribunal, which reported that the plenum of the magistrates issued …
El Siglo Interview of Prof.Murgas: Choosing of Constituents goes unchecked
INTERVIEW In the call to reform the Constitution there are untouchable issues, such as social issues and the title of the Panama Canal, for example. In the opinion of the former judge of the Electoral Tribunal, it is important that the choice of the persons who will draft this new Constitution …
Second phase of interviews begin for Supreme Court nominees
The Commission of State for Justice begins today the second stage of interviews to the aspirants to the position of magistrate of the Supreme Court of Justice (CSJ). After interviewing, last week, the first ten candidates for the post, from today until this Friday, May 18, the second group of …
CCIAP calls for oversight of discretionary spending
The Chamber of Commerce, Industries and Agriculture of Panama (CCIAP) yesterday asked the National Assembly to stop the discretionary use of State resources through the deputies. In a pronouncement of this business entity signed by its president, Gabriel Barletta, the CCIAP asks the members of the Assembly to fulfill the …