International Relations

Claims of GENOCIDE against Israel, sure to send shockwaves and divisiveness amongst UN.

https://www.laestrella.com.pa/panama/stoppioni-juicio-a-israel-por-genocidio-clave-para-la-legitimidad-del-derecho-internacional-NY5881807   The spiral of violence and death suffered by the Gaza Strip reached a new stage after South Africa presented a lawsuit against Israel before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) for the possible commission of the crime of genocide against the Palestinian population. The historic process, which held …

"JB"

Who would sacrifice “God Given Natural Beauty” to make a buck?? Give you one hint……..

Op Ed: Well the holidays were fantastic. Got to see my Grandaughter ( my God is she growing!!) . She made the Dean’s List, and she is becoming John Legend on the piano. I truly hope everyone else’s was as rewarding as mine. Even got the wife to somehow chug …

"JB"

Martinelli makes it hard for PNO- he can’t stay out of his own way.

Op Ed – “JB” “PNO” has long been a supporter for Ricardo Martinelli, despite the fact he makes it almost impossible to do so. I have consistently blamed an indemic system of corruption that is rich and historic in PANAMA. Dating back to Noriega and Escobar, to Mossack-Fonseca, to ODEBRECHT.  …

Agriculture

PANAMA still can’t get it’s shit together with “illegal logging” affecting our tropical canopy.

https://www-laestrella-com-pa.translate.goog/mundo/operacion-de-la-europol-con-panama-contra-la-tala-ilegal-HH5823009?_x_tr_sl=es&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en&_x_tr_pto=sc An international operation against illegal logging coordinated by the Italian Carabineros (military police), under the guidance of Europol, and with the collaboration of the police of Spain, Brazil, Costa Rica and Panama, concluded with the seizure of wooden containers from Myanmar and Brazil worth tens of thousands of euros. …

"JB"

EX-PATS: Perform your Due Diligence BEFORE writing the check in PANAMA investment.

“JB” Op Ed If your new to this blog, pay close attention. If your a veteran, same old story of me venting my shit. I just posted a POSITIVE outlook contributed by both La Estrella, CNN, and Trip Advisor, that list PANAMA as a “must visit” tourist destination. Key word …

Editorial Contribution

Time to take advantage of early positive outlook on Tourism for 2024

Editorial La Estrella de Panamá journalists@laestrella.com.pa 01/06/2024 00:00   PANAMA is perceived in better eyes in the world and we must take advantage of that. A couple of days ago, CNN Travel included the isthmus as one of the 24 destinations to visit in 2024. The media praises its tropical forests and …

"JB"

Back home after a wonderful holiday!!! Happy 2024 PNO’ers.

Hello friends and readers. I truly hope all had a safe and joyous holiday season to end 2023. It was great as always to see family, and my wife remembered I exist below the waist as also above it. =) =) =) On the topic of New Year, this will …

"JB"

HAPPY NEW YEAR FROM “PNO” TO ALL OUR FRIENDS

Six going on Seven Years of “trying” to be a positive voice and source of information for Ex-Pats coming to this diverse ( yet fucked up ) retirement haven. Look, the truth is after all my time here through Martinelli-Varela-and Cortizo- I can tell you PANAMA is “shadier than an …

Economy

Final Qtr- of 2023 reported STRONG growth in the Republic GDP.

https://elsiglo-com-pa.translate.goog/economia/producto-interno-bruto-trimestral-crecio-89/24242734?_x_tr_sl=es&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en&_x_tr_pto=sc&_x_tr_sch=http Bracho: this growth translates into an increase in the hiring of people and greater income for companies The Quarterly Gross Domestic Product (GDP) grew 8.9% compared to the same period in 2022 during the first nine months of 2023, according to data from the Comptroller General of the Republic. …

Conservation

Beautiful area of PANAMA brings opportunity for REAL “EcoTourism” in the country for 2024.

This natural reserve offers the opportunity to promote ecotourism in the heart of the metropolis The Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF) is in the final phase of the transfer of Cerro Ancón to the Ministry of the Environment (MiAmbiente). The transfer process, which began in June 2023, “is focused on …

Economy

Cortizo active on sessions to discuss 2024 budget before end of calendar year.

https://www-laestrella-com-pa.translate.goog/panama/nacional/cortizo-convoca-sesiones-extraordinarias-para-discusion-del-presupuesto-2024-EB5663622?_x_tr_sl=es&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en&_x_tr_pto=sc Deputies will only have to discuss a single issue between December 21 and 31 The President of the Republic, Laurentino Cortizo, called the National Assembly to extraordinary sessions from December 21 to 31. The deputies must analyze bill 1041, which dictates the State budget for the fiscal year 2024. …

"JB"

To “loyal” PNO readers, and “loyal” Bocas Brigade: MERRY CHRISTMAS and HAPPY NEW YEAR

Op Ed: James “JB” Bryson As we bring this “challenging” year to an end, we just wanted to take a sec to thank and appreciate all of the people that visit and contribute to this site. PNO is NOT the BIGGEST EX-PAT site, and there are many that are more …

Economy

“Costa del Este” forming into the Monaco of LATAM real estate in terms of pricing.

https://www.laestrella.com.pa/economia/costa-del-este-el-barrio-mas-caro-de-america-central-CB5672602 An investigation carried out by three real estate portals places Costa del Este as one of the places where it is most expensive to buy apartments Buying an apartment in the exclusive neighborhood of Costa del Este, in the town of Juan Díaz, in Panama City, is more expensive …

Mining

Gaby feels recent mining ruling will strengthen Panama in 2024.

https://www.laestrella.com.pa/panama/politica/carrizo-dice-que-fallo-de-la-csj-en-tema-minero-fortalecio-la-institucionalidad-CD5674510 When leaving the meeting, Carrizo declared to the media that uncertainty is experienced worldwide. The presidential candidate for the Democratic Revolutionary Party (PRD), José Gabriel Carrizo, met on the night of this Thursday, December 21, with leaders of his group. When leaving the meeting, Carrizo told the media that …

Immigration

2023 ends with “Immigration” being the biggest problem for Panama. PNO has been all over this.

https://www.laestrella.com.pa/panama/migracion-irregular-supera-el-medio-millon-DB5663647 The Panama Immigration Directorate reported that until December 15, it counted 509 thousand people who entered Panama heading north. In the United States, one of the preferred destinations, the immigration issue is a source of debate and pressure between Congress and the White House Panama closes 2023 with another record …

Economy

PANAMA to host leading TOURISM SUMMIT in 2024.

https://en.travel2latam.com/news-84985-panama-will-host-the-world-adventure-tourism-congress-in-2024 The most important global adventure tourism association, ATTA, has chosen Panama as the next venue for the Adventure Travel World Summit 2024 (October 7 to 10), an event that will position the country in international tourism markets as an adventure destination. and conventions The General Administrator of the ATP, …

Energy/Infrastructure

Steps being outlined for the definitive and final closing of a mining operation. Eyes open

http://elsiglo.com.pa/panama/presentan-plan-accion-para-cierre-ordenado-definitivo-cobre-panama/24242085 There are minimal preservation activities that cannot be completed overnight. The Minister of Commerce Jorge Rivera Staff presented the action plan for the orderly and definitive closure of Cobre Panamá, in order to guarantee that this process is carried out in a responsible and transparent manner, complying with the …

Editorial Contribution

Interesting article about 2024 outlook for Panama.

https://www-laestrella-com-pa.translate.goog/panama/nacional/panama-feliz-navidad-pero-prospero-ano-nuevo-LY5616850?_x_tr_sl=es&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en&_x_tr_pto=sc In 2024 the country will inaugurate a new government, it will face the process of closing the Donoso mine, and Panama’s relations with China will obviously be on the table. The festive and consumerist atmosphere is palpable in almost all Panamanian capitals; Can you imagine the tension if the anti-mining …

International Relations

Israel and Netanyahu losing creedence in world view for mistakes in Gaza.

https://www.laestrella.com.pa/mundo/netanyahu-corazon-roto-muerte-rehenes-presion-militar-EF5623503 The Prime Minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, said this Saturday that he is “heartbroken” after the Israeli army “mistakenly” killed three Israeli hostages in Gaza The Prime Minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, said this Saturday that he is “heartbroken” after the Israeli army “mistakenly” killed three Israeli hostages in …

Canal

Friend in tourism sent me this about extended PANAMA cruise offered now.

https://www.travelagentcentral.com/cruises/scenic-announces-new-scenic-eclipse-2023-2024-caribbean-collection-0 Scenic has unveiled the 2023-2024 Caribbean Collection for its Discovery Yacht Scenic Eclipse. The itineraries will allow guests to explore some of the more remote destinations, only accessible to smaller ships. Ports such as Darby Island, Egg Island and Long Island in the Bahamas, Puerto Rico’s Isla de Culebra, Grenadines’ Mayreau, and Isla de Providencia in Colombia, among others promise a more intimate experience. Booking early can …

"JB"

One in (4) Freshwater fish species are in danger of EXTINCTION.

These “meetings” that occur far to in-frequently (this one by COP28, CITES only meets every 2-3 Years), the lastest list of species that are facing irreversible extinction levels. On a personal level, it is important that groups that oversee the activities that lead to these numbers decreasing be adhered to. …

Local Culture

Panama getting geared up to promote tourism for 2024.

https://www.laestrella.com.pa/economia/panama-tendra-guia-inversion-turistica-iniciativa-omt-caf-AELE498877 Panama will develop a Tourism Investment Guide, a tool promoted by the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) and the Development Bank of Latin America-CAF to promote the tourism business in the sector in the region. This guide, which the Dominican Republic, Colombia, Paraguay and Ecuador already have, will be created …

"JB"

Please JOE HALEY…….NEVER CHANGE, PLEASE…….NEVER CHANGE.

OP ED “JB”- After Thanksgiving I promised the wife I’m taking a step back from RED FROG BEACH SCAM and the biggest LIAR and DOUCHE ever known to mankind……..JOE HALEY. For MONTHS. as residents dealt with raw sewage being pumped into the mangroves, the smell of feces about the property, and …

"JB"

EX-PAT ALERT: Backpackers and Vacationers take a look at labels in Bocas del Toro supply chain.

“JB”-  You know my feelings on Bocas and Isla Colon. If invested in properly, what is already the tourism hub of Panama, would be a tropical jewel. I feel things are changing looking forward, as “REAL” developers are getting primed to build sustainable and professionally thought out developments. We have …

Agriculture

Sociologist says 18 days of protest reveal RACIST undertones within Panama.

https://www.laestrella.com.pa/nacional/231108/jesus-alemancia-crisis-minera-aflorado When 18 consecutive days of anti-mining demonstrations have passed, tensions are growing between those who demand an end to the closures and those who continue protesting in the streets due to distrust that the Supreme Court will rule in favor of the company Minera Panamá. The speeches against the …

Economy

Bleak job outlook for “young” Gen-Z Panamanians

https://www.laestrella.com.pa/economia/231204/jovenes-representan-54-desempleados-pais   The recent results of the Labor Market Survey as of August 2023, carried out by the Institute of Statistics and Census (Inec), which collects the evolution of employment, marked a strong trend of the crisis experienced by Panamanian youth employment. In the reference month of the survey, the …

Conservation

Positive Environmental Decision gets kickback from short sighted fishermen.

DECISION OUTLAWS “TRAWLING”-   Please look it up.  IT “DESTROYS” THE OCEAN The new Executive Decree No. 14 of November 20, 2023, which modified Executive Decree 13 of November 1, 2023 and regulates Law 204 of 2021, which regulates fishing and aquaculture in the Republic of Panama and dictates other provisions, …

Politics

Cortizo make official announcement on Supreme Court Ruling

https://www.laestrella.com.pa/nacional/231128/cortizo-pronuncia-fallo-inconstitucionalidad-csj The president of the Republic of Panama, Laurentino Cortizo, assured that he received and will abide by the decision of the Supreme Court of Justice (CSJ), which declared unconstitutional the Law 406 contract, which allows the exploration and exploitation of the Cobre Panamá mine for a period of 20 …

Mining

Law 406 is universally viewed upon as being unconstitutional. Cortizo agrees

https://www.laestrella.com.pa/nacional/231128/razones-contrato-ley-406-inconstitucional The Plenary Session of the Supreme Court of Justice (CSJ) had no doubt that the Law 406 contract, which allowed exploration and exploitation of the Cobre Panamá mine, is a constitutional conflict considering first that it violates the fundamental rights of life, health and of a healthy environment, free …

"JB"

HAPPY THANKSGIVING 2023 from PNO

From JB and all the gang!!!!