Advocate claims Panama remains unobservant of Black Culture
Proudly Afro-descendant. This is how Alberto Barrow, director of the Panama Afro Observatory, feels. The persistent inequalities that exist for his peers have led him to become one of the most emblematic voices of the Afro-Panamanian social movement. Alberto Barrow spoke about his longing to live in a country where there …
Multiple viral deaths in Colon cause immediate concern
Two deaths from dengue and one from the hanta virus have been recorded so far this year. Until the epidemiological week 20, which ended on May 19, 1,285 cases of dengue had been registered in the country, reported the head in charge of Epidemiology of the Ministry of Health (Minsa), Israel …
Here we Go!! Martinelli defense will focus on actions of Ambassador Feeley of US.
The strategy of the new defense team of former President Ricardo Martinelli is to remove the process of telephone jabs-for which Panama has requested his extradition-from the legal plan and center it on a supposed persecution on the part of the current president, Juan Carlos Varela. The lawyers Inna Shapovalov …
State of Panamanian Prisons?? Don’t get arrested!!
Currently, our country’s prisons house more than 15,000 people deprived of their liberty. The state of the same does not facilitate reintegration into society. It is a fact that in our country some prisons, such as La Joya and La Joyita , present problems because they do not cover the …
Former Public Safety Minister throws support to Martinelli letter
The former Minister of Public Safety José Raúl Mulino , justified this Monday, May 28, the letter of former President Ricardo Martinelli – currently a prisoner in Miami – where he confesses that he followed the instructions of the US intelligence agency and that he served 100% of the interests …
Prosecution continues ramp up against Mossack Fonseca
Seven other people were investigated and investigated by the Second Prosecutor’s Office against Organized Crime, which accused them of the alleged commission of the crime of money laundering in the investigation that seeks to establish the possible nexuses of the Mossack Fonseca (MF) firm and the management of money “of …
Ortega protests turn deadly in Nicaragua
Eight dead in Managua and two in Estelí left the attack of armed groups to demonstrations that took place this Wednesday, May 30, in Nicaragua against the government of President Daniel Ortega . They repress opponents of Daniel Ortega, who demanded advancement of elections Federation of chambers of commerce condemns …
National Police Director retires amidst allegations
The general director of the National Police, Omar Pinzón, will leave his post from this Friday, June 1 and will take refuge in his retirement. Alonso Vega Pino is the new deputy director of the National Police Pinzón since last year was retired, however, remained in the institution, because according …
Prosecutor’s Office reveals massive spike in Corruption Cases filed
by James “JB” Bryson These stories do and will continue to dominate the PON.com site, as until we as both true Panamanians as well as the ex-pats that now call this country home, see a decrease in the massive amounts of “pay to play” incidents that occur in a country …
Panama City no longer the deal it was a few years ago, living costs rising steadily in Latin America
Panama City is the most expensive Latin American city in the world, followed by Buenos Aires and Santiago de Chile, according to the benchmark index of the Swiss bank UBS published today, which places Zurich in the first position of the most expensive cities, ahead of Geneva and Oslo. The …
Solar Energy rebates extended
After the revolution that generated in public opinion the proposal to establish a charge to customers who install solar panels for self-consumption, the National Authority of Public Services (ASEP) decided to extend the period of consultations for 60 days. The initiative for additional charging (for energy demand) to residential customers …
Woman elected to lead Maritime Chamber of Commerce signifies progressive change
Patricia Velásquez was elected last Friday as president of the Maritime Chamber of Panama for the period 2018-2019 to replace Julio De La Lastra . It is the first time that a woman has been elected to lead the guild founded in 1979, and in which there are more than …
Comptroller audit reveals yet more evidence of alleged crime
The deputies Manuel Cohen (Herrera) and Dana Castañeda (Coclé) accumulate the greater amount of money exchanged in cash or deposited in private banks of funds coming from their circuits (2009-2014), according to an audit of the Comptroller General of the Republic to the communal boards. For this, the deputies used …
“Cambio Democratico” candidate announced for primary election
Rómulo Roux , excanciller and current president of Cambio Democrático (CD) , will seek the presidential candidacy for that political party. The morning of this Tuesday May 29 was formally registered to compete in the primaries of this political party on August 12. José Raúl Mulino formalizes his candidacy to …
Have family here for MEMORIAL DAY, back to it Tuesday.
by James “JB” Bryson It’s been an occupied weekend as we have family from Illinois that came to visit as they have the long holiday for MEMORIAL DAY in the US. Let me take this time to state my most heartfelt appreciation for ALL of the MEN and WOMEN of …
Martinelli team preps for return to Panama, much more than meets the eye. STAY TUNED
by James “JB” Bryson I am quite fascinated with the whole scenario around the multiple yearlong detention, subsequent firing of his attorneys, and the pending return of former president and polarizing figure of Ricardo Martinelli. I have always been of the opinion that Varela has been opportunistic, and tries so …
How the extradition process will unfold.
Assuming that the dismissals of Ricardo Martinelli’s attorneys have been presented in the United States to the Court of Appeals of Atlanta, this entity must accept the waiver of the habeas corpus appeal, and the waiver of the opposition to the appeal of the bail filed by the federal prosecutors …
Martinelli defense changes to hiding in plain sight, not hindering extradition.
Former President Ricardo Martinelli “voluntarily” withdrew his appeals to US courts to facilitate his extradition to Panama from Miami , where he has been detained since June 12, 2017. This is stated in the motion that his lawyer John Byrne presented late last afternoon before the Federal Court of Appeals …
Panama coordinating with Mexico for Papal visit on World Youth Day
A little more than seven months before the World Youth Day (JMJ) 2019, details related to this religious event are finalized. Recently, as part of an official visit to Mexico, Vice Chancellor Luis Miguel Hincapié held meetings with the main authorities linked to security, customs and migration issues. The purpose …
UNESCO involved in dispute over use of Coiba National Park
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (Unesco) has requested the suspension of the land use plan of the Coiba National Park, which was approved on January 3. Unesco’s request is in a preliminary report in which it asks to evaluate the possible negative impacts of the plan on …
Diabetes fatalities rising among Panamanian population
Diabetes is a silent disease and every day there are more people on your list, most unfortunate many young people are developing this condition and are unaware that they have it. So much so that this disease is the fifth cause of death in Panama. Data from the Comptroller General of …
Foundation calls for end to “discretionary funds” for Deputies
The Foundation for Development and Citizen Liberty (Panamanian chapter of Transparency International ) asked the Executive “not to devote more discretionary funds for the management of deputies,” and that the Office of the Comptroller General of the Republic be allowed to audit the items used by the National Assembly to …
Financial Pacific pyramid case continues with questionable $8.5 million loan satisfaction
Without a visible bank refinancing certification, Riccardo Francolini – who was benefited yesterday with a bail of $ 100 thousand in the Financial Pacific case – paid a loan of $ 8.5 million in 9 months . The money was requested on loan to buy a ” Plug & Grind …
World Cup allows Varela to get cozy with Putin
The Foreign Ministry of the Republic clarifies that the next trip of President Juan Carlos Varela to Russia includes a meeting with the President of that country Vladimir Putin , in Moscow , and a “business meeting” to promote investment. Counters $ 100 thousand for Varela’s tour to the World …
Panama looks to capitalize on Solar for the future
It is a call that insistently touches the shoulder of every nation. The duty of each of them is to accelerate the transition to an energy system based on renewable technologies, that is, to develop clean energies. What is left behind are fossil fuels to reduce the polluting emissions of …
Martinelli will not obstruct extradition process
Former President Ricardo Martinelli , who has been detained in Miami since June 12, has decided not to obstruct the process of his extradition to Panama. The bail hearing for Martinelli will be on July 19 in Miami Decision to grant bail to Martinelli, temporarily suspended ‘There are reasons to …
Trump cancels planned historic meeting with DPRK
US President Donald Trump announced Thursday in a letter to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un that the summit scheduled for June 12 in Singapore was canceled due to the “open hostility” shown by Pyongyang. Trump asks China to better control its border with North Korea “Unfortunately, based on the …
Who could be the NEXT PRESIDENT of PANAMA?
by James “JB” Bryson Who could become the next President of Panama??? So here at PNO.com we get all sorts of questions and inquiries and they range from anything and everything you can imagine relating to Panama. But I have to say hands down the most frequently asked question I …
Resources denied to Chiriqui Hydroelectric plant
The Third Chamber of the Supreme Court of Justice denied three appeals seeking to stop the cancellation of the Barriles hydroelectric project in the province of Chiriquí. Hidroeléctrica Barriles, SA, through the Morgan & Morgan law firm, filed an administrative claim for annulment against a note from the Chiriqui Regional …
Steps taken to combat illegal fishing operations
Technicians from institutions linked to the fishing sector of Panama gathered at a technical meeting to advance in the fight against illegal fishing and in the implementation of the Agreement on Port State Measures, the Global Registry of fishing vessels, transport, refrigerated and supply, and other international instruments. The country …