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!
History
1

Before all my Holiday Cheer. One important post on Panama history.

OP ED: James “JB” Bryson- While perfectly content to continue to enjoy this Florida weather and NOT answer emails of press releases and more Panama skullduggery, I found this Washington Post article to be more than interesting enough to share for a number of reasons. First being it is the …

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US News of note

Trump letter to House Dems protests impeachment in ‘strongest’ terms. US Ex-Pats take note

https://www.cnn.com/2019/12/17/politics/read-trump-impeachment-letter-to-house-democrats/index.html President Donald Trump sent a letter to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Tuesday, excoriating the House Democrats’ pursuit of an impeachment inquiry just a day before the full House is set to vote.He wildly claimed that “(m)ore due process was afforded to those accused in the Salem Witch Trials.” And he …

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International Relations

Shady former ruler update: Play some F—–g soccer!

OP ED: James “JB” Bryson- Looks like old Evo is having a blast of a time in Argentina since he raped Bolivia for so long. Maybe he can stay in contact with Varela when he settled in Beijing and they can play on the weekends. https://translate.googleusercontent.com/translate_c?depth=1&hl=en&prev=search&rurl=translate.google.com&sl=es&sp=nmt4&u=http://elsiglo.com.pa/internacional/morales-agradece-fernandez-garanticen-refugio-argentina/24146706&xid=17259,15700023,15700186,15700190,15700256,15700259,15700262,15700265,15700271,15700283&usg=ALkJrhgzuST1nPMYKWzQ0GMrpIGBBKob3g The former Bolivian president …

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World Events

Family of Khashoggi still rocked by lack of action.

https://www.laestrella.com.pa/internacional/mundo/191217/pareja-periodista-descuartizado-embajada-saudi-critica-inaccion-internacional Hatice Cengiz, the couple of the murdered Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, was today “disappointed with all countries” and international organizations such as the UN or the European Union for not taking “any action” against Saudi Arabia. According to Cengiz, “everyone should be concerned” about the “null ability or ability …

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Conservation

More Panama perspective on Climate change. Ex-Pats take notice.

https://www.prensa.com/impresa/vivir/el-ascenso-de-los-mares/ A year ago I wrote an article in La Prensa warning about the future impacts of sea level rise in Panama. I used a playful analogy about the fact that the Isthmus of Panama emerged from the sea 3 million years ago, and that, with the current climate change, the sea will …

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Crime

Defrauded businessman wants to sock Varela while at lunch.

https://www.prensa.com/judiciales/jueza-de-paz-desestimo-cargos-contra-sultan-por-altercado-con-varela/ The Calidonia Peace Court dismissed the charges against businessman Carlos Sultán, after the altercation he starred with the former President of the Republic Juan Carlos Varela, yesterday Monday at the Makoto restaurant. Judge Sonia Fuentes, issued a resolution filing the complaint after Varela did not appear at the court …

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Editorial Contribution

Keeping a keen eye if Nito can walk the walk. We have some stuff sent that will test resolve.

OP ED: Steven- JB re-posted an article last week where the newly elected President went out of his way to state to the world that Panama in open for business. Meaning “clean” business and not “dirty” business. I personally feel that Panama is the World Lightweight Champion in under the …

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Editorial Contribution

Who said a lawyer is perfect?STEVE’S LEGAL OP-ED.

OP ED: Regrettably over the past 7 or 8 months, I have had to more or less oversee what James is dealing with on his site. It started with “hey can you take a look at this?”, and has turned into me reading through about 15-20 emails per week. I …

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Politics
2

Cortizo attempts to address the one thing Panama is known for…..”pay to play”.

https://www.prensa.com/politica/el-mensaje-de-cortizo-a-sus-funcionarios-quien-intente-jugar-vivo-esta-aniquilado/ Amid questions to several institutions about alleged irregularities in public contracts and little transparency, President Laurentino Nito Cortizo, released two phrases that sounded like a warning. “Whoever tries to play live with the resources of the State is liquidated.” “The resources of the State are sacred sacred … here there is no …

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Politics

Historic (albeit futile), House Judiciary Committee moves forward with impeachment.

https://www.cnn.com/politics/live-news/impeachment-inquiry-12-13-2019/index.html It was another big day in the impeachment inquiry into President Trump as the Judiciary Committee approved articles of impeachment. Here’s where things stand today: What happened: After a lengthy day of debating the two articles of impeachment against Trump, abuse of power and obstruction of congress,the House Judiciary Committee …

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International Relations

US starts baby steps towards re-opening trade with China.

https://www.prensa.com/economia/china-anuncia-fase-uno-de-acuerdo-comercial-con-estados-unidos/ China announced on Friday the “phase one” of a trade agreement with the United States, which includes a “phased” reduction of punitive US tariffs against Chinese products, which weigh in the world economy. “The two countries agreed on the text on a phase one of an economic and trade …

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"JB"

Swedish girl compelled to promote climate measures is chastised by my President. #asshole

OP ED: James “JB” Bryson- I find it so crazy that “any” leader, can find “any” issue with what this young lady has done to promote conversation over climate change. When most “tweens” are wondering what is happening with the Jonas Brothers or the newest PlayStation game, this one is …

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Crime

Cyber threats and computer bullshit to continue in 2020 and beyond.

https://www.laestrella.com.pa/cafe-estrella/tecnologia/191212/principales-amenazas-ciberseguridad-dominaran-2020 The impact of cybercrime will undoubtedly grow in the coming years. Cybersecurity Ventures statistics reveal that such crimes will cost the world $ 6 billion by 2021, compared to $ 3 billion in 2015. This represents the largest economic transfer in history, its amount exceeds, for example, the illegal transfer …

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Legal

Ulloa to become new face of justice for Cortizo administration.

The Attorney General of the Nation is one of the most powerful men after the President of the Republic. Perhaps that is one of the reasons why in the last ten years, a term that indicates the Constitution as validity of his appointment, five people before the newly appointed have sat …

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Crime

Peru essentially indicts former “VP” over Odebrecht bribes.

https://www.prensa.com/mundo/peru-juez-envia-a-prision-a-exnumero-dos-del-presidente-vizcarra-por-caso-odebrecht/ A judge sent César Villanueva , former number two of the current Peruvian government on Wednesday , accused of obstructing the investigations against him for allegedly receiving illegal payments from the Brazilian construction company Odebrecht a decade ago. “I declare the request of the Prosecutor’s Office for 18 months of preventive detention against César Villanueva …

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"JB"

A possible better option than Paper Straws to replace Plastic.

OP ED: James “JB” Bryson- As much as the bay surrounding my condo in Panama makes me sick to my stomach, coming home to the states I am reminded in full how pollution once it hits the seas is not relegated to the 2nd and 3rd world nations. Quite the …

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Conservation

Two endangered Pandas born in captivity in Berlin.

https://www.prensa.com/salud-ciencia/zoologico-de-berlin-presenta-a-dos-bebes-pandas-gemelos/ The Berlin Zoo introduced its two new stars on Monday, the first two twin pandas born in Germany, at the end of August, which will be called Meng Yuan and Meng Xiang . As the Chinese tradition says, the two mammals, two males, were baptized 100 days after their birth, and were presented …

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Crime

ODEBRECHT follow up. I just can’t stop covering this.

https://www.prensa.com/politica/las-cuatro-lecciones-del-caso-odebrecht/ It was a Wednesday, December 21, four days of Christmas. It was the year 2016. The news, published on most information websites in the region, shook the business, political and judicial world: the US State Department revealed that executives of the Brazilian construction giant Odebrecht confessed that they had as a practice …

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Entertainment

Art Basel occupied our entire weekend in Miami.

OP ED: James “JB” Bryson- if your an “arty” try to make this event next year. Once your past the traffic, it was a good time. https://www.miamiherald.com/opinion/editorials/article47447980.html Art — and by association, big money — takes center stage in Miami-Dade this week with the start of Miami Art Week, and …

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International Relations

Back here in US, DEMS still headstrong for impeachment.

https://www.cnn.com/2019/12/05/politics/trump-impeachment-message/index.html Washington (CNN)House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s Democrats are injecting an urgent new argument into their already fast-moving impeachment drive: President Donald Trump poses such a flagrant threat to American governance and democracy that there is no time to waste.”If we allow a President to be above the law, we do so surely at …

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Journalism

“Varelaleaks” covers intrusion into Supreme Court.

https://www.laestrella.com.pa/nacional/191204/191203-injerencia-varela-corte-suprema-justicia The Executive’s interest in appointing in the Supreme Court of Justice persons who can serve the interests of the president in office, or his relatives, has prevailed in several government administrations. Perhaps the subject has not been exposed as fluently as in the case of the conversations of the …

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Canal

I’m being restrained. Not even allowed to comment on this.

OP ED: James “JB” Bryson- As I eluded to yesterday, the vim and vigor is taking a back seat for the holidays. But I am so keen to speak on this action, as if is finally making news. I have too many friends to count that work in Customs either …

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"JB"
1

Posting few and far between for PNO. Home for the Holiday’s

OP ED: James “JB” Bryson– Taking a moment while looking at the Atlantic ocean on a beautiful day today just to reflect. The overwhelming conclusion I come to is ” I have much better shit to do then open this site every day“. We are staying in the US for …

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Politics

How “Varelaleaks” could become the enema that Panama truly needs.

OP ED: James “JB” Bryson- Hope all had a great Thanksgiving with you and yours. Please read this translated article from “La Estrella”. Great commentary on the issues facing Panama. https://www.laestrella.com.pa/nacional/191124/191126-191125-varelaleaks-oportunidad-depurar-poderes Although the origin of the leaks of the mobile of former president Juan Carlos Varela (Varelaleaks.com) is a questionable fact, the …

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"JB"
11

PNO Thanksgiving checklist: Varelaleaks, Bocas del Toro, and Steven.

OP ED: James “JB” Bryson– In taking this time to truly be thankful, I really have to scrub my brain to find some things that made sense for me. I say that because overall, this year has been a bit of a “pain in the ass“!! My simple past time …

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Politics

What we “should” be looking for in the New Attorney General.

https://www.prensa.com/impresa/panorama/el-perfil-de-un-nuevo-procurador-general-de-la-nacion/ Article 221 of the Political Constitution establishes that in order to be the Attorney General of the Nation and Attorney General of the Administration, the same requirements required to be a magistrate of the Supreme Court of Justice must be met. According to article 204 of the Constitution , there are five requirements …

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Crime

Lawyer debate on “Varelaleaks” from La Estrella.

https://www.laestrella.com.pa/nacional/191122/191125-filtracion-renuncia-nuevo-debate A solicitor of the Nation cannot commit any crime or any act that tarnishes its transparency and credibility. Do you consider that there are enough merits to investigate the attorney of the Nation for the messages leaked in the ‘Varelaleaks’? I believe that there is enough merit to open …

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Editorial Contribution

Venezuela migration continues to increase.

OP ED: We tried to shed light on this back in APRIL of 2018. This was easy to forecast. http://panamanowonline.com/wp-admin/post.php?post=593&action=edit For the regional headquarters of Latin America and the Caribbean of the World Bank, the migration of Venezuelans is the greatest mobilization in the countries of the area in recent …

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Conservation

PANAMA steps up as Global Partner in protecting Endangered Species.

The largest of cat species indigenous to PANAMA. Protect the Jaguar. 40% of natural territory has already been taken. Chucunaque is 4 to 6 years old, 55 kilos, two puppies and his skin looks dark stained. It is the first jaguar (Panthera onca) that wears a GPS collar for its …

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Politics

Cortizo wise to not immerse himself into “Varelaleaks”.

https://www.prensa.com/politica/Presidente-Cortizo-Pozos-cautela-Varelaleaks_0_5443705600.html President Laurentino Cortizo e vitó deepen, this Saturday, November 16, on the theme of the “Varelaleaks”. What he did make clear is that he does not like threats when referring to the warnings received by ex-president Juan Carlos Varela , via whatsapp. This Friday, former President Varela (2014-2019) reported …

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