More money laundering cases coming into the light
The Seventh Anticorruption Prosecutor’s Office summoned Riccardo Francolini , at 9:00 a.m. today, to make an inquiry statement as part of the investigation into the transfers of money made by Jal Offshore Ltd., through an account of investment I had in the defunct stock house Financial Pacific (FP) . In …
Urban development requiring $20 billion until 2035
The Ministry of Housing and Territorial Planning (Miviot) published in the Official Gazette the Urban Development Plan for the Pacific and Atlantic Metropolitan Areas (Panama-Colón), which suggests a state investment of $ 20 billion in infrastructure to face the growth urban until the year 2035. Juan Manuel Vásquez , Vice …
Light seen at the end of the tunnel for SUNTRACS, resolution possibly close
Yesterday, leaders of the Panamanian Chamber of Construction (Capac) and the National Union of Construction Workers and the like (Suntracs) tried to find a middle ground that would put an end to the strike that keeps the construction sector paralyzed for more than a month. Although they are close to …
Blooming of Latin American tree a wonderful sight in Panama.
The Tabebuia Chrysantha or guayacán, one of the most beautiful trees in the tropics, extends its presence from Mexico through Central America to the territories of Colombia and Venezuela. Its majesty is common and abundant in Panamanian forests. A strong trunk tree, compact, straight, cylindrical and approximately 60 centimeters in diameter. It …
Prepping for my Bocas journey.
by James “JB” Bryson So I head off tomorrow with my friend and fellow ex-pat (lets call him Buddy), to check on property that at least on paper is supposed to be his. I have to admit I am rather anxious as we exhibited a fair amount of advice prior …
Panama seeks to become Latin America leader in new Technology
This year Panama will present 130 technological patent applications to the Ministry of Commerce and Industries (MICI), which means that the country aspires to become the first in Latin America to generate applications through the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT). in English), when measuring the number of applications per million inhabitants, …
SUNTRACS hoped for agreement last night, still no end to strike
The Panamanian Chamber of Construction (Capac) and the Single Union of Construction and Similar Workers (Suntracs) sought to reach an agreement last night. However, at the close of this note (7:00 pm) they were still negotiating. Suntracs leader Luis Gonzalez said in the afternoon that there might be ‘white smoke’ in …
Panama signs new Free Trade Agreement with Israel
In the framework of the meeting between the president of Panama, Juan Carlos Varela and the Prime Minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, the signing of a Free Trade Agreement and a memorandum of understanding on agricultural matters was celebrated. The Free Trade Agreement, signed by the Minister of Commerce and …
Doctor becomes first ever Panamanian to run Antartctica
Dr. Enitza George became the first Panamanian person to run on the continent of Antarctica , participating in theMarathon of the Great Antarctic Wall , with a distance of 42,195 kilometers , on King George Island. The marathon was held on March 7. George , an athlete who has completed 38 marathons and even a 60-kilometer ultramarathon in New York, commented that participating in this …
Former El Slavador president heads to trial in $310 Million Corruption scandal
A judge in El Salvador decided Wednesday to send former President Elías Antonio Saca (2004-2009) and six collaborators to trial, to answer for the deviation of 301 million dollars during his administration, the Prosecutor’s Office said. “The Fourth Court of Instruction of San Salvador sends to trial former President Elías …
Maduro looks to mirror DPRK, have direct talks with US.
The president of Venezuela , Nicolás Maduro , called on Wednesday, May 15, to the United States to dialogue as he does with the North Korean leader, Kim Jong-Un , warning that he will not surrender to the threats of Donald Trump . Grupo de Lima makes ‘last call’ to …
Words of caution to the trappings of Panama for newcomers; the Sex comes with consequences
by James “JB” Bryson When we first settled here, and I say “we” as I was lock step with my wife at all times, it is hard to deny the utterly open and transparent sex industry that prevails in Panama. Lovely women abound, all seemingly attractive to unwitting American men. …
Vatican sounds off on Tax Havens for the wealthy
Tax havens and financial tools such as derivatives and credit default swaps are seriously immoral and unfair, the Vatican said Thursday, May 17, describing them as ” activated time bombs” that will especially harm the world’s poorest. The Vatican Doctrine Office collaborated with the Department of Social Justice in a …
Varela tour continues to Israel, Netanyahu.
On his second day of touring Israel, the President of the Republic, Juan Carlos Varela , met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Presidents of Panama and Israel meet in Jerusalem Varela meets with British Prime Minister Theresa May The relationship between Panama and the United Kingdom is ‘at its …
5.2 magnitude quake rattles Mexico City
An earthquake of magnitude 5.2 caused the earthquake warning to sound in Mexico City today, with no reports of casualties or property damage. The quake occurred at 09:20 local time (14.20 GMT) with origin 24 kilometers southwest of Arcelia, in the southern state of Guerrero, according to the National Seismological Service, …
Minister of Security under fire for corruption claims by retired police.
An Amparo of Constitutional Guarantees against the Minister of Security, Alexis Betancourt, presented the Association of Retirees of the National Police in the Supreme Court of Justice. “The protection of guarantees states that the Ministry of Security violates due process and effective judicial protection by refusing to give due process …
44,000lbs of Shrimp exported to Costa Rica
The company Nutrición Animal SA will market 44,000 pounds of shrimp feed to Costa Rica, under the country brand Panama Exporta, reported the Ministry of Agricultural Development (MIDA). The company has 22 years of being in the market in the Panamanian market and two years of exporting its products to …
While Venezuela implodes, Maduro likes to dance.
Nicolás Maduro, who has already presumed his salsa skills with a Caracas rhythm, poses before public television during his campaign for re-election to the Presidency of Venezuela, trying out the bolero that dances and sings in front of the crowds that applaud him and they scream for help. As soon …
Nicaragua and anti-Ortega groups intensify; more casualties ensue
Climbed to the top to try to touch with their fingers and blue and white flags the immensity of the sky, thousands of Nicaraguans went out to the streets today to ask for the end of the “dictatorship” of Daniel Ortega and Rosario Murillo with a “revolution” that asks for …
Drama swirling around possible return of Martinelli.
by James “JB” Bryson I find the story surrounding the possible return of President Martinelli quite fascinating. It plays out like a Shakespearean play right before your eyes. All of the vitriol and self righteous rhetoric coming from Varela, whom all know to be a shill of Martinelli for many, …
DPRK backpeddles ahead of monumental US talks
North Korea threatened on Wednesday to cancel the planned summit between leader Kim Jong Un and US President Donald Trump if Washington goes ahead with its demand that Piongyang unilaterally abandon its nuclear arsenal. If the US government “corners us and asks us unilaterally to abandon our nuclear weapons we …
New drama shines light on corrupt Latin America politics
The political drama Illegitimate ( Panama, Colombia ) returns to the national halls. One of its producers, Jacobo Silvera , explains the reason for this return: “We decided to bring back illegitimate because basically the public was cheering him. When we released the film in August of 2017, many people …
Children hardest hit and most affected by Maduro
Luisito must have surgery for a brain tumor that paralyzes part of his body, but he acquired chickenpox in a children’s hospital in Caracas and must wait. In another room, Yuriángela does not know if she will have her next chemotherapy. Luis, an eight-year-old brunette, sleeps a 4-month-old baby with …
US cereal giant “Kellogg’s” to cease South American operations due to Venezuela tumult
by James “JB” Bryson So a piece of my youth, the breakfast cereal conglomerate based in Battle Creek, MI ( a place I spent much time in) has had to cease operations due to the situation in Venezuela. Brings me sadness at a time when everyone could use a nice …
Arbitration rejected, as SUNTRACS continues past 28 days
The strike in the construction sector – paralyzed for 28 days – will continue until the 2018 and 2021 collective agreement between the Panamanian Chamber of Construction (Capac) and the Single Trade Union of Construction Workers is signed directly. and Similar (Suntracs ). + info Suntracs will define today in …
UK claims that Panama relations have never been better.
The Panamanian Chancellery, the office of British Prime Minister Theresa May , the Embassy of the United Kingdom in Panama and several State Ministers, have highlighted the cordiality of the meeting held last Monday, in London, between May and President Juan Carlos Varela , thus denying any disagreement between both …
Fire shuts down METRO station
he Panama Fire Department reported on Wednesday May 16 that an electrical fault caused the San Miguelito Metro station to be filled with smoke. After detecting the incident, maintenance personnel of the Panama Metro interrupted the electrical system at the station. For this reason, his eviction was ordered afterwards. The …
Lawsuit against “Code” reaches Supreme Court
A claim of unconstitutionality against some sentences of article 193 of the single text of the Electoral Code , referring to pre-election public financing for the 2019 general elections, was presented to the Supreme Court of Justice (CSJ) . The lawyer Roberto Ruiz Diaz filed the appeal after considering that …
Comptroller promises “audit” of National Assembly
The General Comptroller of the Republic notified this Tuesday, May 15, the president of the National Assembly (AN) , Yanibel Ábrego , who will proceed to carry out a “forensic audit” to form 080 , which contains the contracts of the personnel that works for the deputies, and that since …
Attorney General requests to be recused from poisoning case.
The Attorney General of the Administration, Rigoberto González, asked the Third Chamber of the Supreme Court of Justice to declare him precluded from hearing the civil lawsuits against the State, filed by hundreds of people affected by the massive poisoning with medication contaminated with diethylene glycol. At least 323 lawsuits …