Logistics take center stage amid Middle East turmoil

https://www.laestrella.com.pa/panama/nacional/las-7-claves-de-panama-y-el-mundo-jueves-12-de-marzo-DM20686522 The departure of Cosco Shipping from the port of Balboa, the visit of the Ukrainian minister and legislative reforms mark the day.  Daily Mail: Mujtaba Khamenei is reportedly in a coma after attacks and has lost a leg  Trump criticizes Spain for not supporting offensive against Iran: ‘Perhaps we’ll cut off trade’  Canal Minister…

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Varela allies in Beijing are angry that Mulino has chosen sides

An official in the administration of US President Donald Trump told Breitbart News that Chinese authorities had threatened to detain Panamanian-flagged ships in Chinese ports. https://www.laestrella.com.pa/mundo/china-habria-amenazado-con-detener-buques-con-bandera-panamena-en-sus-puertos-segun-breitbart-FM20684537 According to information published by Breitbart , the warning would represent retaliation against Panama following recent events related to the control of two ports located at each end of the Panama Canal, which…

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So what was the NEXT MOVE? This figure looks EXACTLY LIKE the one that was TAKEN OUT?

“Strait of Hormuz”, is the CANAL of the opposite hemisphere. OIL prices are up my ass and tell me what exactly was accomplished?    Can you tell the difference between this crazy bastard, and the one taken out with a cruise missile?? https://www.laestrella.com.pa/mundo/nuevo-lider-de-iran-lanza-su-primera-orden-y-pone-en-alerta-al-mundo-EM20683645   Iran’s new supreme leader, Ayatollah Mokhtaba Khamenei, on Thursday made a…

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CHINA pissed as PANAMA swings towards US. (All of Varela’s work goes to waste)

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c2k8z9v3334o Hong Kong has formally complained to the government of Panama after it took control of two ports on the Panama Canal. It accused the Panamanian authorities of taking them over by force. The ports had been run by a Hong Kong-based company, CK Hutchison, for more than two decades. Last month, Panama’s Supreme Court…

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TRUMP pushing Rubio into the fray to disrupt Chinese influence on Canal

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-02-04/panama-said-to-mull-canceling-port-deal-with-hong-kong-firm?embedded-checkout=true “JB”-  I’m seriously realizing I have BEEN ALL OVER shit related to PANAMA waaaayyyyyyyyy before the other mass media outlets. Being here makes a difference. I’m stepping up in 2026 to try to keep EX-PATS in tune with what is happening.   My issue is the EX-PATS already here ( RFB ) …….that are NOT…

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MASSIVE infrastructure push on schedule for MARCH 25th bid. ( eyes on ODEBRECHT )

https://www.prensa.com/economia/nuevas-rampas-carriles-y-accesos-asi-sera-la-ampliacion-del-corredor-sur-que-licitara-ena/ Companies interested in participating in the prequalification process for the expansion of the Southern Corridor will have until March 25, between 9:00 am and 11:00 am, to submit their proposals at the offices of the National Highway Company (ENA), located on Vía Israel, ENA building, San Francisco district The call corresponds to Prequalification Process…

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PANAMA looking to tighten up Ex-Pat benefits from the EU side

https://www.laestrella.com.pa/economia/panama-sigue-en-lista-de-la-ue-la-territorialidad-es-el-punto-de-discusion-clave-CC20000354 Panama will remain on the European Union’s list of non-cooperative jurisdictions for tax purposes. One of the key points of discussion is territoriality, a pillar of the Panamanian economic model that only taxes individuals on income generated within the country. On Monday, February 16, the EFE news agency , citing “diplomatic sources,” reported that Panama would…

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PNO’ers: I’m not a “complete” asshole. I have told you about CK HUTCHISON for YEARS

https://gbm.com/media/noticia/ck-hutchison-advierte-de-acciones-legales-si-maersk-toma-el-control-de-terminales-en-panama/ Hong Kong-based CK Hutchison 0001.HK announced on Thursday that it notified Panama of a dispute under the investment protection treaty after AP Moller–Maersk MAERSKb.CO expressed its willingness to temporarily take over the management of the Balboa and Cristóbal terminals. The move comes after Panama’s Supreme Court annulled key port contracts in late January for Panama Ports Company SA…

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The long running issue from GROWING UP, rather than GROWING OUT in Development

An examination of economic inequalities https://www.laestrella.com.pa/economia/las-trampas-del-desarrollo-FK19020544 Print, television, radio and digital media present at the end of each year a summary, among other things, of economic performance and expectations for the year that has just begun. Authorities, business representatives, and independent analysts highlight how, from their perspective, the economy will develop in the future and…

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Government openly addressing the need for a liveable working wage in Panama

On November 15, 2025, the National Government established the National Minimum Wage Commission , a tripartite body responsible for analyzing economic conditions and recommending new rates that will apply from January 2026. https://www.laestrella.com.pa/economia/salario-minimo-panama-instala-mesa-de-dialogo-trabajadores-piden-900-mensuales-CL17588192#google_vignette The process is coordinated by the Ministry of Labor and Workforce Development (Mitradel) , as established in Executive Decree No. 12 of November 13, 2025. The working group must conclude its deliberations no later…

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