$52.2 Million Bond started for Latin America Environmental progress
The Development Bank of Latin America (CAF) announced the placement of the first green bond for an amount of $ 52.2 million, to finance various projects with high environmental and social impact in the region. The financing, which will be for a term of ten years and a coupon of …
Financial Pacific pyramid scheme back in the headlines
A case that occupied the front pages of the media six years ago, the embezzlement to the stock house Financial Pacific, culminated with the phase of allegations that were heard in a preliminary hearing held on Friday in order to determine the responsibility of each of the accused. Judge Johann …
UPDATE: Varela states Panama will continue to seek diplomacy in light of questioned election
President Juan Carlos Varela announced that Panama will continue with the cordial relationship it maintains with Venezuela, while the constitutional term of President Nicolás Maduro, who was re-elected yesterday, ends. Varela gave statements after the Lima Group announced that it does not know the results of the presidential elections in …
Bocas Del Toro weekend trip: WTF is happening there?
by James “JB” Bryson Good morning PNO.com visitors. I would hope all had a pleasant weekend. If you checked in last week, I mentioned how a friend and fellow ex pat of mine named “Buddy” made the trek from Panama City to Bocas del Toro this past weekend. Taking every …
Reprieve denied for former Martinelli secretary in unjustified enrichment case.
The Twelfth Criminal Court denied a request to lift the precautionary measures imposed on a beach house valued at $ 400 thousand, owned by Adolfo Chichi De Obarrio , former private secretary of former President Ricardo Martinelli. Adolfo ‘Chichi’ De Obarrio bought gold bullion for $ 759 thousand They ask …
Truce brief as Nicaraguans return to streets in protest
Thousands of Nicaraguans marched on Sunday, May 20, peacefully in the capital and other cities while accusing the government of breaching a truce, following an attack on a university, while the complaints continue before the IACHR . Four injured in full truce between government and opponents in Nicaragua IACHR asks …
75% of Panamanians receiving some measure of Social Security assistance.
The population protected by the Social Security Fund (CSS) between 1990 and 2016 went from 1.2 million to 3 million 26,769 people, which represents 75% of the country’s population. The figures, from the CSS and the Comptroller General of the Republic , show that in 26 years the entity went …
Abuse of paid leave exposed within National Assembly
Between last July and April of this year, the day on which the legislative period ended, 63 of the 71 deputies of the National Assembly made use of paid leave to be absent from plenary sessions. Although a good number of deputies qualified their deputies, there were cases in which …
AdaptAmericas in Panama leads forum on climate change
The consequences of climate change have given rise to initiatives that turn situations of risk into opportunities in areas such as transport, water management and construction. In Canada, for example, the Pievc Protocol has been extended, which estimates infraestrategy vulnerability to environmental threats. It is a decision-making tool that assesses …
Panama not to recognize landslide Maduro result
Panama ignored the results of Sunday’s elections in Venezuela, in which President Nicolás Maduro was re-elected with almost 68% of the votes, considering that the process was not democratic. Nicolás Maduro is re-elected in Venezuela amid controversy “The government of the Republic of Panama does not recognize the results of …
Who is the man that is challenging Maduro??
With an electoral process in doors, Venezuela could face the possibility of slowing down the advance of the Chavez era. In a contest that will determine the destiny of the nation for the period 2019-2025, Nicolás Maduro will measure his mistakes against two opponents, one of them a long-standing politician, who …
Guardiola extends with EPL Champions Manchester City until 2021
Spanish coach Pep Guardiola extended his contract for two seasons with Manchester City , which will lead until 2021, announced on Thursday the Premier League champion. “I’m very happy and satisfied, it’s a pleasure to be able to work here,” said Guardiola, who arrived at City for the 2016-2017 season …
Another former Latin leader facing crimes, Argentinean President blamed for factory explosion
An Argentine court confirmed this Thursday, May 17, the prosecution without pre-trial detention of former president and senator Carlos Menem , 87, as alleged mastermind of the explosion of a military factory that left seven dead in 1995. The crime for which Menem is accused – as well as the …
AG states National Assembly has “something to hide”.
The Attorney General of the Administration, Rigoberto González , said on Thursday, May 17 that the National Assembly should be an open-door institution and willing to receive the Comptroller’s Office to carry out the corresponding audits, since it is a “high institution” and the of greater reference “in the example …
Aleman promises transparency before potential audit
The Minister of the Presidency, Álvaro Alemán, referred to the conflict that arose between the National Assembly and the Office of the Comptroller General of the Republic , for the audit ordered to form 080, on the hiring that each deputy performs. Assembly appeals to the Court to stop audit …
8 months after Hurricane, efforts end with 23,000 still without power
The US Army Corps of Engineers completes its efforts to rebuild Puerto Rico’s power grid despite residents’ fear that the island’s government can not return the service by itself to the 16,000 people who follow dark eight months after the passage of Hurricane Maria. 23 thousand Puerto Ricans will continue …
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 …