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!
Canal

How is Ukraine war affecting Panama supply chain?

https://www.laestrella.com.pa/economia/220315/220316-productos-panama-mas-importa-ucrania-verse-afectados-guerra Although in the trade balance the volume of trade between Ukraine and Panama is not as high compared to other countries in the world, there are certain productive sectors that could be affected by the Russian invasion and by the increase in fuel costs that is being generated in …

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Bocas del Toro
1

OK, Peter….”How My Family got Screwed by Red Frog Beach- Part 2″ THE VINDICATION

Peter—- After weeks, ,,,,even months of you sending information, I have relented to allowing you to GLOAT.  To other PNO readers ( almost impossible to be one without being aware of the interaction with Joseph Haley and Red Frog Beach aka Bastimentos Holdings), it was the editorial of Peter that …

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World Events

UN witnessing “Nazi” like atrocities in Ukraine…………in 2022.

The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights said Monday that she was “horrified” by the images of bodies discovered in the Ukrainian city of Bucha, after the withdrawal of Russian troops. “The information that is coming out of this area and others raises serious and worrying questions about possible war …

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Conservation

When I allow myself to feel good about conservationism,,,,,,,,,,I get gut punched.

The bird population in a protected tropical forest in Panama is suffering great declines. Scientists from the University of Illinois tracked bird species for 44 years in Soberania National Park to determine if populations had changed. Every two years between 1977 and 2020, the authors of the research published in the …

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Environmental

Welcome to the WET season. Navigating Panama is horrible during the rain.

http://elsiglo.com.pa/panama/aguacero-inicia-transicion-estacion-seca-lluviosa-panama/24197695 The rainy season will be brought forward 10 days in Western Chiriquí, central Veraguas, Coclé and western Herrera and Los Santos This Tuesday, April 5, the city of Panama woke up with a downpour, which is part of the transition process from the dry to the rainy season in …

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Bocas del Toro

Zulay sets her sights on Bocas del Toro and “political irregularities”.

Poltical and judicial payoffs in BOCAS????  No way, seems impossible. LMFAO https://www.laestrella.com.pa/nacional/politica/220330/denuncian-benicio-robinson-compra-votos-recursos-estatales The deputy of the ruling Democratic Revolutionary Party (PRD), Zulay Rodríguez, filed a complaint with the Electoral Prosecutor’s Office against her co-party member from Bocas del Toro, deputy Benicio Robinson; and two officials for the alleged purchase of delegates’ …

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Human Interest

Haters will always hate. Fruitless attacks on Martinelli will continue before he is elected.

https://www.laestrella.com.pa/nacional/politica/220330/corte-recibe-demanda-inconstitucionalidad-resolucion-favorece-martinelli The Supreme Court of Justice (CSJ) received a claim of unconstitutionality against a ruling by the Electoral Court (TE), which favors Ricardo Martinelli. Linda Guevara González, acting on her behalf, filed the lawsuit in court and remained in the office of Judge Maribel Cornejo. Guevara González tries to have …

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Crime

ODEBRECHT claws reach Ecuador via the US.

Steven caught this locally in Miami. Always nice to see ODEBRECHT getting bad press internationally.  https://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/article259896935.html A former senior Ecuadorean official who was convicted in his home country of extorting millions from Brazilian engineering firm Odebrecht S.A. was arrested in Miami on Monday in a related federal money-laundering case. Carlos …

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Human Interest

UN issues warning of Venezuelan INFLUX into PANAMA. PNO covered 2 YEARS ago. See ARCHIVE

Even before COVID, myself and PNO, wanred EX-PATS ( in particular those along the border of Darien) on the increasing number of Venezuelans trying to enter the country illegally into Panama. Granted they are doing so to flee the autocratic and totalian rule of a fractured government, it remains a …

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Labor

SUNTRACS due to meet with Nito.

https://www.laestrella.com.pa/nacional/220329/dirigentes-suntracs-reuniran-presidente-cortizo-abordar-conflicto-laboral-capac The general secretary of the Single Union of Construction and Similar Workers (Suntracs), Saúl Méndez announced that this Wednesday they will meet with the President of the Republic, Laurentino Cortizo Cohen to address the conflict that exists with the Panamanian Chamber of Construction (Capac ), with whom they negotiate …

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Bocas del Toro

Slowly and through a slog of political dogma……Political fariness on way to lawless Bocas and Changuinola.

https://www.laestrella.com.pa/nacional/politica/220329/avanza-segundo-debate-proyecto-ley-crea-distrito-especial-bastimentos The Municipal Affairs Commission of the National Assembly approved in the first debate Bill 796, which creates the special district of Batimentos, segregated from the district of Bocas del Toro and the districts of Bahía Honda, Quebrada de Sal, and Solarte, segregated from the district of Bastiments. According to …

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"JB"

EX-PAT ALERT: Beware Crypto Currency offerings in Panama.

I just saw a very riveting documentary on NETFLIX entitled “Trust No One- The Hunt for the Crypto King” https://www.netflix.com/pa-en/title/81349029 I have ALWAYS been of the opinion that “Crypto” is nothing more than some dystopian millenial created bullshit!!  In like “Hey, we can’t go out and make REAL money, so why …

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Politics

After years of persecution……Next President MARTINELLI promises indifference and justice as opposed to revenge.

So what is up with our old friends Varela and Porcell?  Just wondering.    http://elsiglo.com.pa/panama/presidencia-ricardo-martinelli-dijo-panama-sera-suiza/24197163 Meets with the National Bar Association  The former president of the Republic of Panama, Ricardo Martinelli, said that Panama will be a “Switzerland” in matters of justice when he becomes president of the Republic again.  …

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Air Travel

Panama continues to revel in shiny, improved TOCUMEN.

https://www.laestrella.com.pa/nacional/220329/nuevo-centro-control-coloca-aeropuerto-tocumen-avanzados-region Tocumen International Airport is preparing to put its new Airport Operations Control Center (AOCC) into operation, starting next May, when Terminal 2 is scheduled to open. The general manager of the Tocumen Airport, Raffoul Arab, explained that it is a space provided with high-tech tools where multiple operational processes, …

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World Events

As cease fire talks intensify, Ukraine continues to expel Soviet aggression.

https://www.laestrella.com.pa/economia/220329/ucrania-anuncia-liberacion-irpin-afueras Ukrainian forces “liberated” the town of Irpin, on the outskirts of kyiv, Ukrainian Interior Minister Denys Monastyrsky said in television remarks on Monday. “The armed forces are advancing, the police are advancing, and immediately there are full sweeps in the streets… So the city has been liberated, but it …

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Conservation
1

“Mangroves”. I know a thing or two about the impact.

https://www.laestrella.com.pa/cafe-estrella/planeta/220329/manglares-panama-amenazado-resort-aves-migratorias-america With a vegetation that is almost impenetrable to the sun’s rays and food in abundance, thousands of birds have a vital resting point on their migratory route in the mangroves of Panama. But pollution and urban growth threaten their “resort”. In the Juan Díaz mangrove, a few kilometers from the …

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International Relations

International outcry a wake up call to Russia. “COLD WAR” a thing of the past.

https://www.laestrella.com.pa/nacional/220327/guerra-ucrania A necessary reflection The editors of the Monthly Review are right when they point out that the war unfolding in Ukraine “represents a turning point in the New Cold War and a great human tragedy.” Understanding the origin and impact of this situation is a necessary task for those of …

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Health

Spike in China reminds us COVID is part of our new reality forever.

https://www.laestrella.com.pa/internacional/mundo/220328/confinada-mitad-ciudad-china-shanghai-brote-covid-19 Millions of people in the eastern part of China’s financial hub of Shanghai were confined to their homes on Monday to contain the country’s biggest COVID-19 outbreak. Authorities announced a two-phase lockdown in the city of 25 million people on Sunday night for massive testing. The announcement prompted a …

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International Relations

Ambitious, Young, Costa Rican President states what we have knows for years……Nicaragua is a MESS.

https://www.laestrella.com.pa/internacional/america/220328/nicaragua-rasgo-democracia-afirma-presidente-costarricense The president of Costa Rica, Carlos Alvarado, affirmed this Monday that Nicaragua no longer presents “any trace of democracy”, during a visit to Spain before leaving power in May. “What is happening in Nicaragua is very unfortunate, as the democratic institutions have progressively been eroded, destroyed; it no longer …

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Health

Mandatory mask usage LIFTED as of today. EX-PAT ALERT

After almost two years of having been adopted as one of the main biosecurity measures to prevent the spread of the deadly covid-19 virus, (about 665 days to be more exact) as of today, Panama lifts the mandatory use of mask or chinstraps in open or free spaces; but its use …

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Colón
2

Colon: Certainly a lovely place to invest, retire, and get murdered. EX-PAT: ALERT

http://elsiglo.com.pa/cronica-roja/asesinan-miembro-policia-colon/24196886 Colón has been marked by continuous acts of blood In recent days the province of Colón has been shaken by several homicides, one of the most recent was that of the minor Yosuanis Williams, 14 years old, found dead inside a garbage tank on Calle 12 Justo Arosemena. While …

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International Relations

Nito forms “Commission” to clarify Panama position on Ukraine. Should be easy decision.

https://www.laestrella.com.pa/economia/220325/comision-alto-nivel-evalua-impacto-pais-guerra-rusia-ucrania President Laurentino Cortizo Cohen, accompanied by the Vice President and Minister of the Presidency, José Gabriel Carrizo Jaén, met yesterday Thursday with the members of the High Level Commission (CAN) to analyze the impact on the country of the war between Russia and Ukraine. The head of the Executive …

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Panama Tourism

Tourism EXPO aimed at jumpstarting post-Covid economy.

https://www.laestrella.com.pa/economia/220325/expo-turismo-internacional-panama-abre-puertas-oportunidad-reactivar-industria The eleventh version of the International Tourism Expo, organized by the Chamber of Commerce, Industries and Agriculture of Panama (Cciap), was inaugurated this Friday, March 25, with the firm objective of promoting Panama as a tourist destination par excellence and the industry as an engine for economic recovery. Within …

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Editorial Contribution

Hear an alternative perspective to retiring in PANAMA.

https://www.travelawaits.com/2741082/retire-in-panama-things-to-know/ RE-POSTING OF ABOVE LINK WRITER.   The decision to move from one’s native homeland to ride out the golden years can present a challenging situation for many retirees. On the other hand, maybe not quite so much. I am of the “other hand” crowd. The decision to move overseas …

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Political FRAUD

PNO Favorite organized CRIME and CORRUPTION company back in the news.

https://www.laestrella.com.pa/internacional/america/220323/juicios-suspendidos-imputado-corrupcion-guerra-judicial-venezuela-odebrecht Three Odebrecht lawsuits against Venezuela were suspended this month, while the State maintains a lawsuit against the construction company. Six years after the outbreak of the bribery scandal of the Brazilian company, there are no accused of corruption in this South American country. Without explanation, the Supreme Court of Justice …

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Agriculture

WORLD WATER DAY: Important to Panama and beyond. READ included Attachment.

http://elsiglo.com.pa/panama/minsa-insta-poblacion-proteger-fuentes-agua/24196669 They ask to practice rainwater harvesting  Under the motto ” Groundwater, making the invisible visible”, this March 22 is commemorated, World Water Day, to raise awareness among the world’s population about the importance of this vital liquid.  During this day, from the Ministry of Health (Minsa) they reported that they promote …

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Agriculture
1

Aquaponics: A growing environmental alternative in Panama and beyond.

Aquaponics: a saving system https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hvSw5sLexEQ Combine fish farming and plant cultivation in water and reduce your expenses. Aquaponics is a system that mixes aquaculture (farming fish) with hydroponics (growing vegetables in water), in a sustainable way to reduce costs and space in production farms. Aquaponics can be carried out on …

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Immigration

Democratic Latin American countries meet with US on migration issues.

https://www.laestrella.com.pa/nacional/220322/costa-rica-panama-republica-domincana-alian-eeuu-atender-migracion Costa Rica, Panama and the Dominican Republic, transit countries for thousands of migrants seeking to reach the United States irregularly, established a strategic alliance with Washington to “address the structural causes of migration,” their governments reported Monday. The agreement was reached in San José during the IV Summit of …

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Financials

This news is like “Christmas Morning” in Panamanian politics.

Panama getting $100 Million  http://elsiglo.com.pa/economia/panama-tendra-acceso-100-millones-banco-mundial-para-reduccion-riesgo-desastres/24196328 “This loan represents a great advantage for Panama in advancing financial risk management,” said the Minister of Economy and Finance, Héctor Alexander  In order to support the actions of the Government of Panama to manage the risk of disasters resulting from the occurrence of natural …

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Human Interest

Panama right down the middle on Nito going into 3rd year.

https://www.laestrella.com.pa/nacional/220321/situacion-actual-pais-mejor-2021 At least 51% of Panamanian citizens have a very good or good image of the President of the Republic, Laurentino Cortizo Cohen, while 41% believe that the situation in the country is better and much better than last year. This was the result of the Gismo Services, SA survey, …

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