Someone whispered in Varela’s ear that Venezuela crisis might lead to immigration issue.
The lessons learned from the migratory crises “force us today to reiterate the energetic call to the Government of Venezuela to regain political dialogue.” This was part of the message given this Wednesday, September 26, by the President of the Republic, Juan Carlos Varela , during the plenary session of …
Everyday MORE on ODEBRECHT!!! When will Panama learn?
“What has happened with Odebrecht is the biggest case of corruption that we can remember,” said Mercedes De Freitas , executive director of Transparencia Venezuela, an organization founded in 2004 as the Venezuelan chapter of Transparency International . He explained that despite the number of countries involved and politicians pointed …
Panamanian Catholic Dioceses preparing for WYD and Papal Visit
Jackeline Morales, director of Days in the Dioceses of the Local Organizing Committee for the World Youth Day (WYD), explains to The Star of Panama what the Days of the Diocese are about and the significance of the symbols of WYD for the Christian meeting, which will take place from …
PRD votes are in: Who’s IN and Who’s OUT
With 100% of the votes counted after the primaries of the Democratic Revolutionary Party (PRD), the majority of the current deputies of that party secured their candidacy for the 2019 elections, but three did not obtain the necessary votes to seek their re-election. This is Crescencia Prado , circuit 12-3; …
Defense team of Martinelli lays out plan to fight the punctures case
The defense of former President Ricardo Martinelli announced, in total, 28 testimonial evidence, 87 documentaries, 4 expert opinions and 132 interview documents for them to be evaluated by the judge of guarantees, Jerónimo Mejía, in the hearing of the process that is followed by the exmandatario the punctures. Moltó, Pérez …
Grass Roots social media campaign believed to have had effect on PRD primaries
The citizen campaign ‘#No to re-election’, which encourages not voting for political figures who today hold public office and are sprinkled by some case of corruption, had a partial effect on the results of the primary Democratic Revolutionary Party (PRD) . In the recent PRD elections, fourteen of nineteen deputies …
EX PAT ALERT: Traffic deaths surge in Chiriqui. Look out for reckless and drunk drivers
Authorities in the province of Chiriqui reported Monday, September 17 that, so far this year, there are 54 fatalities due to traffic accidents. Elmer Castillo, regional director of the Directorate of Traffic Operations, confirmed that drivers, despite preventive actions, continue driving “recklessly” on the roads of the province of Chiriqui. …
While Venezuela crumbles around him, fat ass Maduro enjoys gourmet cuisine
The diffusion in social networks of some photographs and videos in which Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro appears in a restaurant of a renowned Turkish chef on Monday unleashed a polemic in the South American country sunk in a complex economic and social crisis. “This is a once in a lifetime, …
Water service across Panama remains an issue, 50% in Chitre.
The lack of water in several sectors of Chitré is maintained on Tuesday, while the Ministry of Education issued instructions to the directors of schools and schools in the district of Chitré to suspend educational work. Chitreanos rise without drinking water service Since Monday, the Regional Education of Herrera sent …
Varela getting so cozy with China he will soon be taking Karate classes, pay attention Panama
By James “JB” Bryson Much can be read into the gushy love affair that Varela has with the People’s Republic of China. A communist nation last time I checked. People trying to overlook the fact he is completely OK with placing an Embassy in the Amador area of Panama which …
Bail is finally granted to Btesh in Financial Pacific case
The Fourteenth Criminal Court granted a bond not to be detained – for an amount of $ 100 thousand – to Gabriel Gaby Btesh , in the process that is followed for the alleged commission of the crime of money laundering through an account of the company Jal Offshore in …
Hearing suspended for prosecuted Jewish businessmen
The hearing that would be held on Monday, September 17, in the process followed by Mayer Mizrachi Matalón -and four others- for the alleged commission of crimes against the public administration to the detriment of the Government Innovation Authority (AIG) was suspended. Audience today to Mayer Mizrachi and others for …
Cortizo chosen overwhelmingly for PRD nomination
The Democratic Revolutionary Party ( PRD ) chose its electoral offer on Sunday, September 16, with a view to the general elections on May 5, 2019. Cortizo, the third opportunity of the PRD to return to the Presidency With an overwhelming 66.35% Laurentino Cortizo , 65 years old, was chosen …
Immigration update concerning influx from Venezuela
A group of international diplomats and human rights workers led by OAS Secretary General Luis Almagro visited the border area between Colombia and Venezuela on Friday to discuss ways to resolve the Venezuelan migrant crisis. Luis Almagro arrives in Colombia to attend the Venezuelan migratory wave Almagro said that all …
Sudden statement from Darien collective REEKS of BRIBES and PAYOFFS
by James “JB” Bryson For the last few weeks I have given personal attention to the uproar over the logging expansion that has occurred in the Darien region and so close to areas that are fully protected as a National Park and part of the beauty of Panama. A “legal …
EX-PAT ADVISORY- Check on loved ones in the US as deadly Hurricane approaches Eastern coastline
“Go now!”: The United States authorities implored on Wednesday, September 12, to leave the risk areas before the arrival of Hurricane Florence, which threatens to hit the east coast of the country in the next 48 hours with the power of a punch by Mike Tyson. + info East Coast …
Anti-Corruption office refuses to grant protection to Roux in Odebrecht bribe investigation
The Electoral Tribunal rejected a request from the Special Anticorruption Prosecutor’s Office to lift the electoral criminal jurisdiction of the Democratic Change (CD) presidential candidate , Rómulo Roux , within the investigation for the bribes paid by Odebrecht in Panama. Presidential CD cost over one million dollars: TE Roux prevails …
Colombia first to feel the impact of Venezuela exodus of immigrants; Who’s next?
Colombia does not have the capacity to support alone the arrival of thousands of migrants fleeing Venezuela in the face of the crisis, said on Tuesday, September 11, Foreign Minister Carlos Holmes Trujillo , who again called for an international effort to address this problem. Pope urges Venezuelan bishops to …
National Assembly needs to hire PR firm because everyone hates their image. LMFAO
The National Assembly (AN), harassed by the scandals of the forms, donations and contracts, has decided to hire a company specializing in communication strategies to try to improve its image. According to Panama Purchase documents, the legislature intends to spend $ 48,800 in the coming months, in the midst of …
And then we have this ASSHOLE!! Here’s your Minister of the Environment.
Despite the questioning of the deputies, the environment minister, Emilio Sempris , yesterday defended the environmental impact study (EIA) category 1 for the rehabilitation and maintenance of an airstrip in the Coiba National Park , in the province of Veraguas . Members of the Coiba Council request greater transparency Oenegés …
Independent candidates collecting the required signatures for primaries
Dimitri Flores , Ana Matilde Gómez and Ricardo Lombana continue leading the list of presidential candidates for free application with more signatures collected. The footprint of the parties in the signatures of the independents Electoral Tribunal rejects more than 77 thousand signatures to independent pre-candidates Flores, Gómez and Lombana lead …
Murder sentence DOUBLED for man who killed US woman near Red Frog Beach in Bocas del Toro.
The Public Prosecutor’s Office (MP) announced on Friday September 7 that the sentence handed down to an 18-year-old boy was changed for the crime of the American Catherine Medalia Johannet, whose body was found on February 5, 2017 in Isla Colón, province of Bocas del Toro. Sentenced to 12 years …
Varela slight on Taiwan has EVERYTHING to do with money and coziness with communist China
ED OPINION: by James “J.B” Bryson If you so choose to go back and read some of the previous posts and re-distribution of articles on PNO.com, you will see that we have paid close attention to the awarding of contracts to multiple Chinese corporations as Panama continues to try to …
Outisde of Brazil: Questionable Odebrecht finding it hard to establish new trust
At the reception of the ninth floor of the headquarters of the Odebrecht Group , in Sao Paulo, time seems to have stopped. The magazines on the tables are dated, at most, from the beginning of 2015 and still portray the dynamism of the time. From large projects in Caracas, …
Victims and Witnesses for Prosecution fight bail request for Martinelli
This week will be crucial for the process that is followed by former President Ricardo Martinelli in the Supreme Court of Justice (CSJ) for the punctures. Today, the plenary session of the CSJ must analyze a bail request for release that presented the defense of the exmandatario. In addition, on …
Martinelli defense team requests $250-$500K bond for release
The defense of Ricardo Martinelli requested a bail of release “of between $ 250 thousand to $ 500 thousand” in favor of the former president, alleging his medical condition and that there is no risk of flight or destruction of evidence. Attorneys Martinelli present two other appeals in the Court …
Trump administration shows that the US is not above Panama concerning national division
by James “J.B” Bryson As I continually embrace me new status as a full time resident of Panama, I usually take a great interest into the political landscape of this country. Many if not the vast majority of article we post or comment on at PNO.com for ex pats center …
How is Climate change affecting the Canal?
In the last 32 years (1985-2017), the temperature in the water basin of the Panama Canal increased by an average of 0.5 degrees centigrade. It is a climatic variation that alerts the Panama Canal Authority (ACP), taking into account that the result of this change translates into a “water deficit” …
CD Party primaries to be postponed in province of Los Santos
For the 7 of October the primary elections of the Democratic Change party (CD) in the corregimiento head of Guararé, Los Santos were postponed. Presidential CD cost over one million dollars: TE This was announced by Dámaso Díaz, director of the Electoral Organization in the province of Los Santos, who …
Supreme Court rejects Martinelli request for Constitutional Guarantees
The plenary session of the Supreme Court of Justice (CSJ) did not admit, because it was not timely, an amparo of constitutional guarantees to exmandatario Ricardo Martinelli , as part of the investigation that is followed by the supposed commission of the crime of embezzlement in the purchase of dehydrated …