https://www.prensa.com/unidad-investigativa/la-presidencia-destina-71-millones-para-ampliar-y-restaurar-la-villa-diplomatica/ “JB”-   I have spent a great deal of time pre-occupied with BDT for,,,,,well it seems like “forever” now. I already know that the Government exhibits a DGAF attitude when it comes to Law Enforcement, Utility Monitoring, Rackateering, Bribery, etc and so on……YET in spite of all of this. It …

https://www.laestrella.com.pa/economia/alerta-regional-por-expansion-del-barrenador-panama-concentra-la-produccion-y-mexico-construye-nueva-planta-DF15673550 The cattle screwworm outbreak is affecting all of Central America and Mexico, with Panama as the epicenter of sterile insect production to curb the plague. The United States confirms its first human case in more than 50 years. The regional health crisis caused by the cattle screwworm (Cochliomyia hominivorax) …

https://www.laestrella.com.pa/economia/panama-debera-esperar-hasta-2026-para-eliminar-la-tarjeta-amarilla-de-la-ue-EF15673755 While this process is being carried out, ARAP is seeking to acquire fishing traceability software so that national fishing has the certification of legality to be accepted by the EU, as well as the appointment of more human resources. It will not be until early 2026 that Panama will …

Not too quick on the uptake LA Estrella……….has been issue for YEARS. Check out BDT.   https://www.laestrella.com.pa/panama/nacional/juan-urriola-el-usuario-final-en-el-mercado-electrico-panameno-esta-en-un-total-estado-de-indefension-CF15673881 The former Energy Secretary speaks exclusively after his resignation about the changes that need to be made at ASEP and questions multi-million dollar contracts. Former Energy Secretary Juan Manuel Urriola resigned from his …

https://newsroompanama.com/2025/08/31/more-confidence-in-panama-is-the-reason-that-chiquita-is-returning/   The announcement came as a welcome change to banana growers in Bocas del Toro: the multinational Chiquita will return to production in Panama, raising hopes for economic recovery and more jobs.  “We are excited about the agreement reached with Chiquita to return to production in Panama,” said Juan Alberto Arias, …

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jul/31/panama-canal-port-lawsuit-us-china Panama’s comptroller general has lodged two cases with the country’s supreme court against the owners of two ports at the centre of a geopolitical struggle between the US and China, in a move likely to be seen as a victory for Donald Trump in his attempt to rid the …

“JB”-  just take solace that you don’t see ODEBRECHT mentioned here.  https://www.laestrella.com.pa/economia/tren-panama-david-los-paises-que-compiten-por-financiar-el-megaproyecto-HD15167909 Through several international tours, the government has sought out more than four countries that have openly expressed interest in financing this project. The latest to enter the fray is Japan, through its Mizuho Bank. The Panama-David train project …

https://newsroompanama.com/2025/08/07/30000-per-kilo-is-the-price-for-panamanian-geisha-coffee-from-boquete-breaking-a-record/   Panamanian Geisha coffee once again sets a record sale price at The Best of Panama international electronic auction.  This time it was the washed Geisha coffee, grown at Hacienda La Esmeralda in Boquete, Chiriquí, that set a record, selling for $30.204 per kilo.  The Best of Panama global auction, which …

Regarding the trade promotion agreement between Panama and the United States, Cabrera revealed that the review committee meetings will begin in October. The United States ambassador to Panama, Kevin Cabrera , reiterated that his country is excited that Panama Ports Company (PPC) , a subsidiary of CK Hutchison, will no longer be operating …

https://newsroompanama.com/2025/08/05/in-the-first-half-of-the-year-2025-panama-canal-toll-revenues-are-up-by-33/ Toll revenues on the Panama Canal increased 33.2% in the first half of the year.  This achievement is due to the increase in the transit of vessels, mainly deep-draft vessels, during this period.  Vessel traffic increased by 25.7%, with 6,855 vessels crossing the interoceanic waterway in the first half of the year, of which …

“JB”– Those goddamn “pirates” at it again. Just bringing business and jobs to BDT that’s all. And I hear they do background checks to not employ MURDERERS.  Soggy Bottom Bar & Grill is a new establishment on Isla Bastimentos, Bocas del Toro, Panama, opened in July 2025. Located on Wizard …

https://newsroompanama.com/2025/08/03/part-1-from-silicon-valley-to-the-jungles-of-chiriqui/   In 2011, Lyn Bishop left behind the fast-paced tech world of Silicon Valley in search of something more grounded. What she found was an overgrown, abandoned pasture near La Concepción, Chiriquí. She jokes that the razor grass was so dense she had to “swim” through it. But beneath …

“Luxury Coffee”….Go figure.  Well I guess if you pay $12 USD for a goddamn STARBUCKS back home, why not????       This just helps my buddy at CACAO 70.    Make that paper.  The eighth edition of La Cosecha toured the most prominent coffee farms in the production of coffee, …

https://www.prensa.com/politica/fincas-vacias-y-sin-respuestas-en-bocas-del-toro-el-regreso-amargo-de-mil-trabajadores-bananeros/ About 1,000 banana workers attempted to return this week to five farms operated by Ilara Holdings , a concessionaire of the Chiquita banana company in Bocas del Toro , following a court ruling that declared their nearly two-month strike illegal. The government is negotiating with Chiquita to reactivate 20% of its operations …

https://newsroompanama.com/2025/07/16/we-cannot-and-should-not-lose-a-banana-plantation-job-in-bocas-del-toro-says-martinelli/ According to the president of Realizando Metas, a banana plantation job in Bocas del Toro cannot and should not be lost.  “It’s not just thousands of jobs, but the image projected after what happened with the copper mines, disputed ports, etc., combined with the gross manipulation of justice and …

Let the “dog and pony” show begin. PANAMA makes it to the VIP Room.  The foreign minister emphasized that removing the country from the list was one of the current Panamanian government’s priorities “from day one.” Panamanian Foreign Minister Javier Martínez-Acha celebrated Panama’s removal from the European Union (EU) money …

https://www.laestrella.com.pa/economia/hacer-economia-como-si-la-gente-importara-la-cara-de-la-inequidad-en-panama-AF14229889 Panama’s economic growth is not reflected in the quality of life of most of its citizens. While macroeconomic figures are used as a political argument, social indicators show growing inequality, unemployment, and social discontent. Some time ago, I was speaking with the former president of the Colon Free Trade …

“JB”- A buddy of mine has started to cultivate his own Cacao processing out of Bocas del Toro, as Cacao demand increases worldwide. It will be distributed via “MI BELLA IMPORTS”. I wish his group the best as I am aware he is sitting on a mountain of Cacao down …

People are going “all in” and betting hard on Panama with removal from “Gray List”. And IMHO, sounds like RM is a bit “frosty” in thinking of all the money he could have made if this was the case when he was in charge.  Hey “Rico”, you and your family …

https://newsroompanama.com/2025/07/11/the-meeting-of-the-inter-american-tropical-tuna-commission-will-be-hosted-again-by-panama/ From September 1 to 5, 2025, Panama will host the meeting of the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission (IATTC) for the second consecutive year. This international meeting will bring together representatives from 20 countries, more than a dozen non-governmental organizations, 250 in-person observers, and another 200 participants connected virtually, with the aim …

https://newsroompanama.com/2025/07/11/after-massive-layoffs-in-bocas-panamas-president-mulino-pushes-for-chiquitas-return/ Panama’s President José Raúl Mulino pledged on Wednesday to do everything possible to convince U.S. banana giant Chiquita Brands to resume operations in the country, after the company shut down during a strike and protests that caused it millions in losses. Chiquita ceased operations and laid off about 7,000 workers at …

https://newsroompanama.com/2025/07/04/panama-bac-completes-the-largest-financing-transaction-in-its-history/ BAC International Bank, Inc. (BAC) successfully closed a USD 500 million international syndicated financing, making it the largest financing of its kind in the history of a Panamanian banking institution. The transaction, led by Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (SMBC), JPMorgan Chase Bank, NA (“JPMorgan”), and Wells Fargo, significantly exceeded the …

Workers, recruiters, and citizens contributed their opinions to the Merco ranking update. Merco Talento Panama presented the results of the second edition of its ranking of Panamanian companies that attract talent, the majority of which are from the financial and banking sectors. https://www.laestrella.com.pa/economia/conozca-las-empresas-panamenas-donde-todos-quieren-trabajar-PC13999305 Banco General repeats for the second consecutive year …

A total of 25,000+ vessel transits have crossed the expanded locks of the Panama Canal in the last nine years, since the inauguration of the first ship, the Cosco Shipping Panama, on June 26, 2016.  Specifically, 2,181 vessels passed through the Neopanamax locks of the Panama Canal, a canal expanded by …

“JB”- Week starts with (2) POSITIVE days amid Trump statements, but IRAN states NO CEASEFIRE reached. ?!?!   https://www.cnbc.com/2025/06/22/stock-market-today-live-updates.html MON-   UP (350 pts) https://www.cnbc.com/2025/06/23/stock-market-today-live-updates.html TODAY- UP (500 pts )     https://www.laestrella.com.pa/mundo/iran-desmiente-a-trump-y-rechaza-hasta-el-momento-un-cese-de-hostilidades-con-israel-EJ13924198 Tehran clarifies that there is no agreed truce. The Iranian government makes any military pause conditional on the …

JB OP Ed:  While I always love pieces in “International” periodicals and Magazines that show how PANAMA is such a GREAT choice for “RETRIREES: and “EX-PATS”, I have learned very well that you can’t believe all the shiny ads and pumped up hype during the solicitation process. It can get you …

The bank’s interest rate hikes are the spark that sparks a social tinderbox already fueled by the mining and social security crises. It suffocates families, forcing them to choose between paying their debts or eating, a pressure that fuels discontent and directly threatens the country’s peace. https://www.laestrella.com.pa/economia/panama-tasas-de-interes-elevadas-y-descontento-social-anuncian-la-tormenta-perfecta-JO13486359 In the first months …

The Fifth Section Labor Court of Changuinola, Bocas del Toro, declared the strike by workers at the Chiquita Panama banana company illegal and gave them 24 hours to return to their jobs; otherwise, they will lose their labor rights.  Judge Álvaro Jiménez stated in his ruling that the strike, which …

  https://newsroompanama.com/2025/05/12/what-does-the-us-china-tariff-deal-mean-for-the-panama-canal/ The US and China have agreed a truce to lower import taxes on goods being traded between the two countries.  That means more ships traveling through the Panama Canal.  Good for Panama.  Good for the world. The agreement marks a major de-escalation of the trade war between the …

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/clyzlk259g2o A Hong Kong-based company has agreed to sell most of its stake in two key ports on the Panama Canal to a group led by US investment firm BlackRock. The sale comes after weeks of complaining by President Donald Trump that the canal is under Chinese control and that …