International Relations

Despite quarrels over Canal- Mulino attends event hosted by TRUMP.

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 …

Darien

When discussing the horrors of people risking death for a better life,,,,consider 200 BODIES found in Darien.

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 …

"JB"

My F—–G country is literally EATING ITSELF FROM WITHIN LIKE A PARASITE. Where is it???

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 …

Human Interest

US and PANAMA working in concert to quell rising GANG violence in neighboring HAITI.

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/gangs-haiti-panama-united-nations-kenya-b2819717.html The United States and Panama are urging the U.N. Security Council to authorize a 5,550-member force with the power to detain gang members in Haiti to help stop the escalating violence The United States and Panama are urging the U.N. Security Council to authorize a 5,550-member force with the power to …

Human Interest

If this is NOT the f——g scariest PHOTO OP of the week, I don’t know what is.

https://edition.cnn.com/2025/09/04/europe/china-sco-summit-parade-european-security-intl This week, Russian President Vladimir Putin had a clear message for Ukraine and its European allies: Moscow can keep going, because we have powerful friends. The Russian leader stood shoulder to shoulder at various events in China with the men who have enabled him to wage his war on Ukraine for …

Human Interest

Maduro rattling his sabres in defiance of US Military Training.

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 …

EX-Pats

………well according to this post, the answer seems to be YES.

https://newsroompanama.com/2025/09/04/national-police-receive-vehicles-to-strengthen-security-in-tourist-areas/   The National Police’s Special Environmental, Rural, and Tourism Police Service (SEPART) received 19 vehicles through a cooperation agreement signed between the Tourism Authority and the Ministry of Public Security to strengthen security in areas of interest to both nationals and tourists.  The deputy director general of the National …

"JB"

Anti-American sentiment growing in LATAM nations affected from US Immigrant crackdown.

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 …

"JB"

Happening right NOW, and is truly a F—-D up situation with Immigrants.

OP ED” “JB“-  Iv’e made my feelings known on this in previous post. My career was within (CBP) in US, so if you don’t agree, you can GFY and IDGAF.  But this is such a bad and inhumane look.  https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/aug/06/panama-migrants-trump-immigration If Salana is sent back to Afghanistan, she will be …

Canal

PNO has been keeping eye on this CHINA/US power struggle within PANAMA

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 …

Politics

Paranoia or Preparation? Did US “have” or “had” PANAMA military action planned. Hegseth???

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 …

Conservation

More REAL DATA on “Climate Change” and how it affects our oceans and reefs.

Global increase in photosynthesis on land while it falls in the oceans https://www.prensa.com/mundo/aumento-global-de-la-fotosintesis-en-tierra-mientras-cae-en-los-oceanos/ Land plants drove an increase in global photosynthesis between 2003 and 2021, partly offset by a slight decline in seaweed. The findings, from a study published in Nature Climate Change , could inform assessments of planetary health, improve ecosystem …

Crime

COLOMBIA “still” a F—–G Mess. Young politico shot in June finally passes in hospital.

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 …

"JB"

END TIMES ALERT: Pinch me, it’s 2025!!! RWANDA is ACCEPTING U.S IMMIGRANT deports.

“JB”-   I mean you HAVE to laugh your ass off to avoid your head exploding. “Bring me your poor, huddled, tired, masses (sic) edit. 2025………” so we can send them to the ass end of the planet once they get here”.. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/rwanda-donald-trump-kigali-east-african-south-sudan-b2802159.html   Rwanda agreed to accept up to 250 …

Conservation

PANAMA hopes to be more than silent supporter in battle of “MICRO PLASTICS”

Nations gather in Geneva Tuesday to try to complete a landmark treaty aimed at ending the plastic pollution crisis that affects every ecosystem and person on the planet. It’s the sixth time negotiators are meeting and they hope the last. A key split is whether the treaty should require cutting plastic production, …

Conservation

One of the “Great Wonders” shows signs of dangerous environmental stress.

LISTEN TO THE SUMMARY https://www.prensa.com/mundo/la-gran-barrera-de-coral-sufre-su-blanqueamiento-mas-extenso-jamas-registrado/ Australia’s Great Barrier Reef has experienced its “most extensive” bleaching event ever recorded , according to a government report released Wednesday warning of the dire health of the natural wonder. Scientists have documented the “most spatially extensive” bleaching event on this reef, considered the largest living structure in the world , …

Canal

FOREIGN MINISTER already making the rounds on social circuit as PANAMA passes “velvet rope”.

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 …

"JB"

New “pariah” Martinelli sounds like “sour grapes” for Mulino unshackled with new EU status.

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 …

International Relations

PANAMA off the EU “Gray List”

https://newsroompanama.com/2025/07/09/mulino-on-panamas-removal-from-the-european-unions-gray-list-it-was-a-titanic-effort/ Coclé: President José Raúl Mulino said he was “pleased” after Panama’s exclusion from the European Union’s list of high-risk jurisdictions for money laundering.  During an opening ceremony for the new Río Hato Health Center, the president emphasized that a “titanic effort” had been made, forcing him and his government to “push against all odds.”  He noted …

Human Interest

“Alligator Alcatraz” nonsense making the news in the UK.

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/panama-trump-florida-guatemala-kristi-noem-b2778502.html The Homeland Security secretary is praising Florida for coming forward with an idea that’s been dubbed “Alligator Alcatraz” because it would house immigration detainees in a facility being built in a Florida swamp. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said the department has been looking to expand immigration detention capacity, and she has been …

International Relations
1

Was strike on IRAN a success?………..depends on who you ask.

Trump euphorically declared that the Pentagon’s missiles had achieved their goal of destroying three Iranian nuclear bases in Fordó, Natanz, and Isfahan. The US bombing of Iranian nuclear facilities on Saturday, June 21, was dubbed the Midnight Hammer, because it literally pulverized the victim. But Washington and Tel Aviv received …

Dow

EX-PATS- 401K’s and Retirement Investors, US markets respond to Trump, but IRAN states otherwise.

“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"

EX -PAT ALERT: Looking out for PNO friends in BDT. No Internet or Phones. Be Cautious

https://www.laestrella.com.pa/panama/nacional/autoridades-suspenden-servicios-de-internet-y-telefonia-en-bocas-del-toro-HP13855200     PLEASE SEND ANY UPDATES OR INFO TO INSTAGRAM:    jbpno2024      FOR Re-POSTING Government Minister Dinoska Montalvo has requested that the National Public Services Authority (ASEP) suspend internet and telephone services throughout the province of Bocas del Toro. This measure follows the National Government ‘s announcement that it was declaring …

Energy/Infrastructure

Almost entirety of IRAN is “getting no bars”, as INTERNET access has been taken out by ISRAEL.

Iran has been under a near-total internet blackout since Wednesday afternoon, despite Iranian authorities claiming to have repelled “extensive” Israeli cyberattacks on the country’s network. https://www.prensa.com/mundo/iran-permanece-aun-bajo-el-apagon-de-internet-tras-ciberataque-israeli/ Vladimir Putin calls for ways to achieve a cessation of hostilities between Iran and Israel.The UN calls for an immediate detente leading to a ceasefire between Israel …

Human Interest

Your QUICK read catchup on History of IRAN/ISRAEL.

Tensions in the Middle East are rising. The Israeli army launched a series of attacks against nuclear facilities and other military targets in Iran early Friday morning as part of what it dubbed Operation Rising Lion. In a televised statement shortly after the attacks began, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu …

Canal

Panama’s role in the “New” Cold War with US/CHINA.

The president questioned the US diplomat about a statement regarding antennas, along with the Ministry of Security, which places Panama in the dangerous conflict between Beijing and Washington. Less than two months have passed since the arrival of the United States ambassador to Panama, Kevin Marino Cabrera, and the first …

Crime

Immigration raids turning LA into 1939 Poland. Ugly scene.

In the early hours of the morning, Trump redoubled calls on his Truth Social network to deploy more National Guard troops and arrest any protesters who hide their faces with masks. https://www.laestrella.com.pa/mundo/casa-blanca-defiende-envio-de-tropas-a-los-angeles-por-la-debil-respuesta-del-gobernador-LG13519662 The White House on Monday, June 9, defended President Donald Trump’s controversial decision to send National Guard troops …

Church

WORLD WATCHES: First AMERICAN Pope to lead the Catholic Church.

https://www-laestrella-com-pa.translate.goog/mundo/la-maldad-no-prevalecera-el-primer-mensaje-del-papa-leon-xiv-al-mundo-EO12581207?_x_tr_sl=es&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en&_x_tr_pto=sc In his address as pontiff, the priest called for peace, dialogue, and unity in the Church, paid tribute to Pope Francis, and recalled his pastoral visit to Peru. From the central balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica , the newly elected Pope Leo XIV delivered his first address to the world, marked by a …

"JB"

PNO proudly recognizes TODAY- EARTH DAY 2025

Anyone who knows me, fully understands how I view nature, wildlife, the ocean, and our wonderful planet.  So in my life, EARTH DAY is quite meaningful, Below is the OFFICIAL LINK to “EARTH DAY 2025” https://www.earthday.org/earth-day-2025/   Also another LOCAL blog with some great advice for people here. https://playacommunity.com/panama-articles/coronado-community/8038-celebrating-earth-day-in-panama.html   …

Church

PANAMA reflects fondly on passing of POPE FRANCIS, his role in Panama’s Youth.

https://www.laestrella.com.pa/panama/gobierno-decreta-3-dias-de-duelo-nacional-por-muerte-del-papa-francisco-que-implica-FA11998962 The government of Panama declared April 22, 23, and 24, 2025, as a day of national mourning for the death of Pope Francis . Flags will fly at half-mast in public and private institutions nationwide. He woke up fine, but at 7:00 a.m. he felt sick! The Vatican reveals the cause …