The former president also denied any connection to the arrest of President José Raúl Mulino. https://www.laestrella.com.pa/panama/politica/varela-revela-conversaciones-recientes-con-martinelli-hemos-hablado-en-un-clima-mas-tranquilo-KN17839201 Former President Juan Carlos Varela stated yesterday that he has held talks with former President Ricardo Martinelli recently. During the internal elections of the Panameñista Party , he told Radio Panamá that his latest interactions with Martinelli have taken place in a “calmer” atmosphere …

https://www.laestrella.com.pa/panama/nacional/parlacen-excluye-de-la-agenda-la-juramentacion-de-cortizo-y-carrizo-NL17854009 The Central American Parliament is holding its plenary assembly today and tomorrow, during which the scheduled topics are being discussed. The swearing-in of former President Laurentino Cortizo and former Vice President José Gabriel Carrizo has not been included. The Political Commission of the Central American Parliament (Parlacen) did not …

OP ED: “JB”-  In my lifetime to date, I have seen many strange things happen in politics. And now in the twilight of my last 1/4, nothing surprises me anymore. Growing up, there was a “FORMULA” to follow back in the States. Ivy League or Military Academy for College. Preferrably …

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 …

Venezuelan opposition leader and Nobel Peace Prize winner María Corina Machado launched a strong message this Saturday, November 15, directed at Venezuelans and especially at the state security forces, whom she asked to “lay down their weapons” and stop obeying orders that she described as “infamous” . https://www.laestrella.com.pa/mundo/bajen-las-armas-maria-corina-machado-urge-a-militares-venezolanos-a-dejar-de-obedecer-a-maduro-IK17598099 What is striking about this message …

“JB”-   ……………….nuff said.    https://expansion.mx/mundo/2025/09/25/trump-respalda-a-milei-a-semanas-de-las-elecciones-en-argentina The U.S. administration of Donald Trump announced this Wednesday that it is ready to buy Argentine debt and provide financing to its ultra-liberal ally, Javier Milei, who is in trouble just over a month before the midterm elections in Argentina. The U.S. Treasury announced it …

https://www.laestrella.com.pa/panama/nacional/presidente-mulino-asiste-a-recepcion-organizada-por-donald-trump-IH16228101 President José Raúl Mulino’s agenda continues in New York, where he is attending the United Nations General Assembly. President José Raúl Mulino, accompanied by First Lady Maricel de Mulino, participated Tuesday evening in the reception hosted by U.S. President Donald Trump at the United Nations General Assembly. The event …

https://www.laestrella.com.pa/panama/nacional/miambiente-inicia-auditoria-integral-a-la-mina-de-cobre-panama-FF16131657 This audit will assess everything from reforestation to waste management, ensuring that the mine meets its environmental, social, and legal commitments. The Ministry of Environment (MiAmbiente) announced the start of a comprehensive audit of the Panama Copper Mine project , which will verify compliance with all environmental, social, legal and tax commitments established …

https://www.laestrella.com.pa/mundo/maduro-a-donald-trump-tiene-que-investigar-ataque-contra-embarcacion-supuestamente-venezolana-FF16024427 Once again, the attack on a Venezuelan vessel by U.S. military forces has been called into question, this time by Nicolás Maduro himself. Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro said Monday that U.S. President Donald Trump must investigate the “alleged attack” against a “supposedly Venezuelan” vessel, which was shot down by the United States in …

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://newsroompanama.com/2025/09/14/over-200-unidentified-migrant-bodies-found-in-the-darien/   The Darien Gap, the treacherous stretch of the jungle linking Colombia and Panama, has once again exposed the brutal realities of mass migration: around 200 bodies of migrants who died while attempting to cross the jungle remain unidentified, many buried in makeshift cemeteries without names, their journeys cut …

WE ARE GOING TO BLAME CARTOONS NOW????? IF SO, I KNOW OF A “ROADRUNNER” and a “MEXICAN MOUSE” WREAKING HAVOC ON THE HIGHWAYS!!! https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/south-park-charlie-kirk-maga-1236368149/ “JB”-  I really don’t do a swan dive into politics often, as it is very much the reason I am here as an Ex-Pat.  But the past …

https://newsroompanama.com/2025/09/04/maduro-with-unwavering-faith-in-victory-in-the-face-of-the-us-onslaught/   Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro asserted that his country will remain “standing” and with “unwavering faith in victory” in the face of what he described as an “attack” by the United States, which is carrying out a military deployment in the Caribbean Sea to, according to Washington, combat drug trafficking.  This …

https://www.cnbc.com/2025/09/03/protests-in-spain-mexico-target-travelers-as-overtourism-anger-grows.html Are “We” not far behind??  Nan Palmero was at a rehearsal dinner in Mexico City’s trendy Roma Norte neighborhood, ahead of a wedding of two American friends, when he heard a “rumbling” outside. From the restaurant’s second story, Palmero described seeing a large group of people moving through the …

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 …

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/video/2025/jun/12/hegseth-suggests-pentagon-has-prepared-plans-to-invade-greenland-and-panama-video https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/apr/12/panama-hegseth-us-invasion-canal Panamanian opposition politicians have accused the US of launching a “camouflaged invasion” of the country, amid simmering discontent over the government’s handling of the diplomatic crisis. After a three-day visit by the US defense secretary, Pete Hegseth, Donald Trump appeared to confirm that US military personnel had been deployed to the …

OP ED: “JB“- An INTERACTIVE “LIVE” EXPERIENCE INCLUDED WITH YOUR STAY.  “FUN” for the ENTIRE FAMILY. Disclaimer:  RFB, nor OGI are responsible for any injuries experienced during experience. Not responsible for the folllowing.  1. Blocked Roads  2. Intermittent Stabbing from Unlicensed Security Guards  3. Disease caused from Raw sewage exposure 4. …

The crime of private corruption Omar Rodríguez Private corruption is a manifestation of corruption within the business world or between individuals, in which the public administration is not directly involved. Unlike public corruption, where officials or authorities abuse their positions, in private corruption, acts occur between individuals or private entities, …

“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 …

“JB”-  How about over $280 Million over a 20 year span?????    Talk about “stepping over dollars to pick up dimes”,,,,,,,       WAKE UP “REAL” Panama Press……#LAESTRELLA,#LAPRENSA….your “PULITZER” is being served up on a plate.   https://newsroompanama.com/2025/08/12/police-arrest-6-people-in-chiriqui-and-bocas-del-toro-for-financial-crimes-exceeding-2-8-million-to-a-bank/ The National Police, in partnership with the Public Prosecutor’s Office, carried …

“JB”- Donny, your already Prez again. STOP with the narrative you and him were “loose acquaintances”.  SMH.  I’m saying you two teamed up on a High Schooler. Just cut the SHIT.    To think that James Brown was the SANE one in that pic. LMFAO- I have less pics of …

https://newsroompanama.com/2025/08/11/colombian-senator-miguel-uribe-turbay-dies-after-being-attacked-in-bogota/ After two months in the hospital, Colombian senator and presidential candidate Miguel Uribe Turbay died on August 11.  This was reported by his wife, María Claudia Tarazona, on her social networks.  “You will always be the love of my life. Thank you for a lifetime of love, thank you for being a …

https://newsroompanama.com/2025/08/11/panamanian-security-institutions-are-joining-u-s-marines-for-jungle-training-and-security-cooperation/   PANAMA CITY, Panama :  U.S. Marines assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marines, based out of Camp Lejeune, NC, arrived in Panama the first week of August 2025 as part of a combined effort to conduct training, strengthen bilateral security cooperation, and build operational trust with Panamanian security forces. …

The president signed Law 478, which modifies the Penal Code, and signed Panama’s accession to an Ibero-American Cooperation Agreement. On Tuesday, August 5, President José Raúl Mulino signed into law a law on international legal assistance in criminal matters and cybercrime. https://www.laestrella.com.pa/panama/nacional/presidente-mulino-sanciona-leyes-sobre-ciberdelincuencia-HA15043545 This is Law 478 , which, according to the Executive Branch, …

A 53-year-old woman, allegedly involved in investigations for crimes against the economic order, specifically in the category of financial crimes, was arrested by the National Police during a search operation at a home located in the district of San Carlos. The investigation, carried out in collaboration with the Prosecutor’s Office Against Economic Order, stems from …

“JB”- This is why it is called a “Trade War”.   The agreement provides for the transfer of 90% of the stake in the ports of Balboa and Cristóbal, currently operated by CK Hutchison. China’s largest shipping company, state-owned giant Cosco , is negotiating its entry into the BlackRock- led consortium that will …

“JB” Bryson- Hello “PNO”ers. Have you ever been just rolling through the endless void of the internet, and come across stories of  people “POSING” as FAMOUS CELEBRITIES to get FREE SHIT.  I heard of one yesterday and I HOPE to GOD it is TRUE. I just want the GO AHEAD …

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 …

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 …