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The Facts About Rip Currents

Posted 11/04/2024

What is a Rip Current? 

A rip current (also known as a rip) is a specific type of water current that can occur near beaches where the waves break. A rip is a strong, localized and narrow current of water that moves directly away from the shore by cutting through the lines of breaking waves, like a river flowing out to sea.  The force of the current in a rip is strongest and fastest next to the surface of the water. 

Rip currents can be hazardous to people in the water.  Swimmers who are caught in a rip current and who do not understand what is happening, or who may not have the necessary water skills, may panic, or they may exhaust themselves by trying to swim directly against the flow of water and drown. 

A rip current is not the same thing as undertow, although some people use that term incorrectly when they are talking about a rip current.  Contrary to popular belief, neither rip nor undertow can pull a person down and hold them under the water.  A rip simply carries floating objects, including people, out to just beyond the zone of the breaking waves, at which point the current dissipates and releases everything it is carrying.  The surface of a rip current can often appear to be a relatively smooth area of water, without any breaking waves, and this deceptive appearance may cause some beach-goers to believe that it is a suitable place to enter the water.

In a rip current, death by drowning occurs when a person has limited water skills and panics, or when a swimmer persists in trying to swim to shore against a strong rip current, and eventually becomes exhausted and drowns.

How to Spot a Rip Current

The key signs to look for are: 

• Deeper and/or darker water
• Fewer breaking waves
• Sandy colored water extending beyond the surf zone
• Debris or seaweed
• Significant water movement

Sometimes it can be easier to look for where the waves are breaking consistently, and then look to each side where they don’t break consistently. Those areas are rip currents.  Can you spot a rip? Rips can change shape and location quickly and may be difficult to see.

How to Survive a Rip Current

A rip current is like a moving treadmill, which the swimmer can get out of quite easily by swimming at a right angle, across the current, i.e. parallel to the shore in either direction. Rip currents are usually not very wide, so getting out of one only takes a few strokes. Once out of the rip current, getting back to shore is not difficult, since waves are breaking, and floating objects, including swimmers, will be pushed by the waves towards the shore. 

As an alternative, people who are caught in a strong rip can simply relax, either floating or treading water, and allow the current to carry them until it dissipates completely once it is beyond the surf line. Then the person can signal for help, or swim back through the surf, doing so diagonally, away from the rip and towards the shore. 

It is necessary for coastal swimmers to understand the danger of rip currents, to learn how to recognize them, and how to deal with them.

STOP and LOOK to check for rips or other dangers and PLAN how to stay safe during your next beach vacation.

https://www.newsroompanama.com/health/the-facts-about-rip-currents

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EFG International Private Banking and Wealth Management

Posted 11/04/2024

“We want to consolidate ourselves as one of the best brands in international private banking and wealth management.”  Those are powerful words from the Global CEO of the Swiss banking group called EFG to 100 collaborators during the regional banking conference this past March in Panama. He continued…”A fundamental element in achieving this goal is the bank's Latin American division, which experienced double-digit growth in 2023, becoming one of the most developed regions within the bank. This positive trend is anticipated to continue with the opening of the Panama operation, designed to serve high net worth clients both in Panama and other countries in the region.”

The senior vice-president of EFG said….“Previously, EFG already had a considerable presence in Panama, serving financial institutions and insurance companies.  The start of this project in Panama will expand our capacity to serve Wealth Management clients through our experienced team of advisors. ”

The CEO of EFG in Panama said….“For us, the most important thing is to have a team of professionals who not only stand out for their capacity, but also for their understanding of the market and its needs .”

EFG traces its origins to the 1980 acquisition of Geneva-based Banque de Dépôts by the Latsis family, who are still the majority shareholder. In 1995, the bank adopted the name EFG International, with headquarters in Zurich. Since then, it has established more than 40 locations worldwide and has more than 3 thousand employees. Its recently opened office in Panama has a team of 21 people of different nationalities and is located in the Argos Tower in the Santa María Business Park, Panama City.

https://www.newsroompanama.com/news/efg-international-private-banking-and-wealth-management

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Panama's Economy Gets Good News

Posted 11/04/2024

If you are looking for investments internationally, Panama is becoming a focal point for many groups and individuals.  William Maloney, chief economist of the World Bank for Latin America and the Caribbean, said that everything indicates that Panama's economy will grow 2.5% this year despite the loss of income from mining and by 2025 it is estimated that it will reach rate of 3.5%.  He also specified that by 2026 the perspective is that the country's gross domestic product (GDP) will grow between 4% and 4.5%.  “Obviously the closure of the copper mine has had an impact on the country's growth and fiscal positioning and that is part of what led to the loss of the rating by Fitch,” Maloney mentioned.  He argued that Panama must strengthen its fiscal position and find other sources of growth in the absence of mining income.  “There is an effort to be more aggressive in collecting taxes and they are going to have to look for other sources of income,” he noted.  The expected growth for 2025 of 3.5% is subject to the country maintaining its attractiveness as a foreign investment destination. 

With the May 5  elections to happen soon, and with an excited roster of Presidential candidates bursting at the seams to get into power and get things moving again, the balance of 2024 and 2025 look to be great years for Panama.  The Panama Canal is expecting a lot of rain and moving from 27 ships a day to 36, the Panama banks are happy, and new banks are moving into Panama from other countries.  The EFG bank from Switzerland is now in Panama.  Their target audience is high net worth clients both in Panama and other countries in the region.  Panama continues to be the focus of interest of Spanish investors.  76% of Spanish companies will increase their investments in Latin America in 2024 and Panama appears among the countries with a presence of 22% of SMEs from Spain. We will be providing you with the latest up to date financial news here so stay tuned.  If you have an interest in joining our new Investment Club at Newsroom Panama, send us a request to put you on our list.  Our email is PanamaNewsroom@gmail.com

https://www.newsroompanama.com/news/panamas-economy-gets-good-news

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The Zulay Rodríguez Story - Part 3

Posted 11/04/2024

Presidential candidate Zulay Rodríguez Lu has been facing Panamanian justice recently for an alleged appropriation of a client’s gold bullion, about 66 kilos worth.  The Supreme Court will determine whether she is charged in the case from more than a decade ago, where this 4 to 5 million dollars’ worth of gold ended up in her possession to pay a bill for her legal services.  The candidate for Panama President, Zulay Rodríguez Lu, denounces this act in the justice system as political persecution.

A new 3rd attempt to carry out the hearing to bring charges against the still deputy Zulay Rodríguez, for the alleged appropriation of 66 kilos of gold belonging to the deceased Mexican goldsmith José Luis Penagos failed.  Added to the uncertainty about whether or not the Supreme Court of Justice (CSJ) has the jurisdiction to prosecute Rodríguez, is that neither the deputy nor her lawyer Ángel Álvarez, have appeared.  The two previous appointments (February 29 and March 7) were also suspended because Rodríguez never attended.  Now not even her lawyer showed up, so the session was declared closed.  Article 278 of the Criminal Procedure Code indicates that the accusation hearing cannot be held if the investigated subject and his lawyer are not present. Therefore, Judge Ariadne García, acting as guarantee judge, closed the session. 

Judge Ariadne García, judge of guarantees in the case against Deputy Zulay Rodríguez for the alleged appropriation of 66 kilos of gold, did not admit an extrajudicial agreement agreed by the family of the deceased Mexican goldsmith José Luis Penagos.  The magistrate judge explained that the investigation is in a preliminary phase and that not even the accusation phase has yet been completed.  In fact, the impeachment hearing was scheduled, but it could not be carried out because Rodríguez did not appear and because the Supreme Court of Justice has not yet decided on two warnings of unconstitutionality presented by the deputy.  García added that once this phase is completed, the compensation agreement agreed between Rodríguez and the Penagos family, plaintiffs in this process, could be analyzed. 

There was the fourth attempt by the Supreme Court of Justice to charge her with the alleged commission of the crimes of money laundering, abuse of trust, illicit association to commit a crime and against the administration of justice.  The three previous appointments (February 29, March 9 and March 15) were suspended. Rodríguez attended none of those hearings.  She argued that she resigned as a deputy as of February 26 and, therefore, the Court no longer has jurisdiction to prosecute her. However, the National Assembly informed the Court in writing that the process to formalize her resignation has not been completed and, therefore, Rodríguez remains a deputy. The negotiation between Rodríguez and Juan David Penagos, son of José Luis Penagos, was reported at the hearing.  Penagos Jr. participated via Zoom.  Lawyer Ángel Álvarez appeared for the defense.  Once the event began, the Penagos' lawyer, Edwin Córdoba, informed Judge García that his clients had agreed on a “compensation agreement” with the deputy.

On April 3, the deputy legal defense, and current presidential candidate for free nomination, Zulay Rodríguez Lu announced that she had reached an out-of-court agreement with the plaintiff, the family of the deceased Mexican José Luis Penagos, in the gold bullion case.  Judge Ariadne García, acting as guarantee judge, declared the request for withdrawal from the parties in the aforementioned agreement inadmissible.  After this decision of inadmissibility, Zulay Rodríguez indicated to the media that this agreement was suggested by the magistrates of the process.

Communiqué from the Judicial Branch

The Judicial Branch reported that " in the face of statements that are being spread on social networks and in various traditional media, which contain a series of inaccuracies and omissions that require clarification out of respect for public opinion, which has the right to count with the greatest possible elements of judgment, so that each citizen can form a duly founded opinion in relation to matters of interest for the proper functioning of the Republic".

The Judicial Branch pointed out 12 points:  (The last point is below)

The Guarantees Magistrate decided not to admit the withdrawal, in strict legality, pointing out that, since the accusation hearing could not have been held, given the lack of appearance of the Deputy of the Republic, in this preliminary phase of the investigation, it was unknown the relevant facts, as well as what would be the criminal types that the Prosecutor would charge, so that it could be verified if they are those that admit withdrawal, in which case the possibility of applying alternative forms of conflict resolution would be opened and its effects, in accordance with the provisions of articles 280 and 281 of the Criminal Procedure Code.

Obviously the case is not closed, so coverage will continue as it happens.  

https://www.newsroompanama.com/news/the-zulay-rodriguez-story-part-3

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Boquete Valley of the Eternal Rainbow Celebrates 113 Years

Posted 10/04/2024

Happy Birthday, Boquete!

April 11, 1911 marks the founding year of a beautiful little town in the western highlands of Panama.  Archaeological studies support the idea that Boquete's history started around the years 300 AD to 600 BC. In the Caldera region you can find petroglyphs (prehistoric rock carvings) which reveal evidence of the ancient settlements in the area.

During the Spanish colonization, the highlands area was an isolated refuge for the indigenous tribes like the Ngöbe and the Misquito due to the topographic terrain. The colonization of Boquete only began in earnest in the second half of the nineteenth century by locals from Bugaba, Gualaca and David, and foreigners from Yugoslavia, France, Germany and other European countries.  Colonizers also arrived from the United States, starting the first coffee plantations and agricultural farms.

 

 

In Spanish, the word Boquete means 'gap or opening'.  

It was through this gap that curious gold seekers trekked, looking for a cheaper and quicker way to the Pacific.

Where is Boquete, Panama?

Nestled amidst the lush, rolling highlands of Panama, Boquete is a hidden gem that feels like a little slice of paradise tucked away from the hustle and bustle of city life. 

Boquete is located in the western-most province of Chiriqui, near the Costa Rican border, offering a serene sanctuary that seems worlds away from the rapid pace of modern living. 

This charming small town is cradled by the majestic Barú Volcano, Panama’s highest peak (3,474 metres or 11,398 ft), creating an almost mystical backdrop with its rich biodiversity, and the jewel of the cloud-forest habitat, the Resplendent Quetzal.

 

Let the Festivities Begin!

The bands have been practicing and the drummers have been drumming in anticipation for the celebratory parade held downtown Boquete today, April 11.

 

See you there!

https://www.newsroompanama.com/news/boquete-valley-of-the-eternal-rainbow-celebrates-113-years-1

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3202 Drug Packages Seized Today

Posted 10/04/2024

1,600 packages of what is presumed to be cocaine, were found hidden in two containers by Panama authorities on Wednesday April 10 destined for a port in Belgium.  In another drug bust, 1,512 packages of drugs were found in the port of Manzanillo, located in the Caribbean province of Colón, inside a container that was destined for the Belgian port of Antwerp.  Also in a Panamanian port, 90 packages of illicit substances in a container were seized. Totals as of mid-March, Panama authorities had seized at least 24 tons of drugs, while in all of 2023 that figure rose to 119.2 tons, the vast majority of which was cocaine.  In 2022, Panama seized a historic amount of 138.41 tons of drugs, of which 108.82 were cocaine, according to official figures.  Panama is used as a bridge for drugs produced in South America and whose main destination is the United States, the largest consumer of cocaine in the world, and also Europe.

https://www.newsroompanama.com/news/3202-drug-packages-seized-today

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The Panama Papers Trial on now

Posted 09/04/2024

You may remember back to June of 2022 when a Panamanian judge, Baloisa Marquínez Moran, acquitted thirty-nine people in a money laundering case.  She’s back again as the Panama Papers is in the courts today.   Among those acquitted in 2022 were lawyers Jurgen Mossack and Ramon Fonseca, who were key figures in the Panama Papers case.  Both Mossack and Fonseca have Panamanian citizenship.  Mossack and Fonseca, faced charges of money laundering and creating offshore accounts that were used by the Brazilian construction giant Odebrecht to move bribes.  Judge Baloisa Marquínez Moran ruled that the prosecution did not prove that the law firm Mossack Fonseca handled illicit funds from Brazil, or try to hide them.

Fonseca has claimed they were the victims of “scapegoating” to hide who accepted bribes from Odebrecht.  The Panama Papers included a collection of eleven million secret financial documents that illustrated how some of the world’s richest people hide their money. The records were leaked in 2016, and the repercussions were far-ranging. This leak prompted the resignation of the Prime Minister of Iceland and brought scrutiny to leaders of Argentina, Ukraine, China and Russian President Vladimir Putin.  US federal prosecutors have alleged that the Mossack Fonseca firm conspired to circumvent American laws to maintain the wealth of its clients.  They allegedly also concealed tax dollars that they owed to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).  Fonseca said that the firm, which closed in 2018, had no control over how its clients used offshore vehicles created for them.

Here is some of the action as court came to order on Monday April 8th 2024.  Baloisa Marquínez, second liquidating judge of criminal cases, entered the room at 9:40 am. She informed each of the defendants that, by means of mixed order 2 of January 19, 2022, corrected with order 144 of August 2 of 2023, the court opened a criminal case against them (calling them to trial) considering them alleged violators of the provisions contained in chapter IV, title seven of the second book of the Penal Code, for the alleged crime of money laundering.  All responded that they were not responsible for the crime. They all pleaded not guilty.  The first to speak was Jürgen Mossack, pictured below entering the court, one of the founders of the defunct law firm Mossack & Fonseca.  His colleague and partner Ramón Fonseca Mora did not attend the event.  His lawyer, Dayka Indira Levy, stated that he is hospitalized at the Medica Norte Hospital in Santiago, Veraguas.  The medical certificate, she said, is from April 7.  When he arrived at the Gil Ponce Palace, where the trial is being held, Mossack said he felt “very optimistic.” “If there is real justice, we will get out of this,” he added. The Mossack and Fonseca law firm closed in March of 2018.  During the first day of the trial, the defunct firm, Financial Pacific got a mention, as did Odebrecht, Fifa Gate, Casa Grande Development SA, and Panama’s infamous ‘black box’ of 1976.  The trial continues………

https://www.newsroompanama.com/news/the-panama-papers-trial-on-now

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Panama Canal to Increase Transits to 36

Posted 09/04/2024

The Panama Canal Authority plans to increase transits to 36 daily allowing conditions to fully normalize in 2025.  The Canal plans to gradually ease transit restrictions. Currently 27 daily transits are allowed. Rainy season will improve the level of the lakes and current forecasts indicate that steady rain will arrive at the end of April and continue for the following months.  More than three quarters of the ships that are waiting to transit the Panama Canal today have reservations and, therefore, will transit on a predetermined date with a minimum waiting time,” says the ACP.  The Canal adds that the average waiting time for ships arriving without reservations this year has been just less than 2.5 days, much lower than the 3.6 days experienced between January and March of last year, and the 3.8 days recorded during the same period in 2022.  The outlook and projections indicate that the rains will increase in intensity after April and the Canal will progressively increase transits again until reaching 36 ships per day through the channel.  If the rains do not meet expectations, new restrictions on daily passage or draft could be maintained or applied.  Either way, the canal is a winner.

https://www.newsroompanama.com/news/panama-canal-to-increase-transits-to-36

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The Panama Investment Club Starts Now

Posted 09/04/2024

 

Investments Panama is a new feature here on Newsroom Panama.  We have a retired Financial Advisor from the States who will assist us with forming an Investment Club.  Other experienced financial individuals will be joining us.  It will be a separate entity from the regular day to day news. We will most likely form other clubs depending on your interests, the reader.  We want to hear about your best investments in Panama, and ones to avoid.  We are only looking for tried and true ‘blue chip’ type investments that have been around a long time and are doing well.  We will have all investments looked into by certified accounting people to make sure it is going to be successful for you.

If you have an interest in investments, big or small, leave me a note by email panamanewsroom@gmail.com and I will make a list and the club will begin.  As to what we will invest in, that will be something that we will all decide as a group or as individuals.  As an example, we know of a Panama Finance Company in business for 9 successful years and offering a special of 9% yearly interest, for investments of $10,000 or more, paid monthly to your Panama bank account.  We also know of a lawyer who can open an International Panama bank account for you if you are not a resident of Panama.  Email me and let’s get this party started.  Telly

https://www.newsroompanama.com/news/the-panama-investment-club-starts-now-1

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Vice Presidential Candidates Speak Out

Posted 09/04/2024

Panama’s Vice Presidential candidates get to speak out.  Present at the event were: Camilo Alleyne (PRD-Molirena), Athenas Athanasiadis (free nomination), José Isabel Blandón (Cambio Democrático-Panameñista Party), Michael Chen (Otro Camino Movement), Richard Morales (free nomination), Rosario Turner (Popular Party) and Aida Michelle Ureña de Maduro (free nomination-PAIS).

Richard Morales said that both he and presidential candidate Maribel Gordón have fought “historically” alongside communities and young people, last year, so that Panama is a country free of open pit metal mining. “We are going to ensure that this new national unity that emerged in 2023 becomes a reality,” he indicated. Morales also warned that they know that his adversaries “are going to negotiate” with the mine. However, he made it clear that, if that happens, “we are going to take this fight to the streets.” “We are not going to allow them to betray the people,” he added.

Rosario Turner stated that since August of last year a document was presented, together with Martín Torrijos, which indicates that both are against maintaining metal mining in the country. “We have maintained that position throughout this time and we are going to maintain it because the Panamanian people spoke,” she asserted.

"Let's be clear, in the government of Rómulo and Blandón the mine in Donoso [province of Colón] is going to be closed." This was expressed by the candidate for the countries vice presidency for the Democratic Change and Panameñista parties, José Isabel Blandón. “The people spoke, the Court ruled and there is a moratorium law, therefore we are going to maintain that moratorium law on new mining concessions.  We recognize that the voice of the people is the voice of God and we rulers have the responsibility to abide by that mandate.”

Athenas Athanasiadis said that both she and Zulay Rodríguez, freely nominated presidential standard bearer, fought against mining in the country. There is a ruling so this is something we must respect, she stressed. The former representative also pointed out that foreign investment should occur, as long as Panama is the largest beneficiary.

“With us the mine goes away,” said Michael Chen, Ricardo Lombana's running mate. He pointed out that both of them went out to protest because they were against the mine and mining. In fact, he announced that “we are going to do what is necessary to elevate the prohibition of open pit metal mining to constitutional status.”

The Court “failed” and the mining moratorium is maintained based on the Supreme Court, said, for his part, Camilo Alleyne , candidate for the vice presidency of the Republic for the ruling party. “However, there is no demagogic response but a statesmanlike response. We have 12 trillion dollars in that mine... there it is, and it represents more than the country's gross domestic product in multiple periods,” he said. Alleyne asked “not to be deceiving” the population by seeking a vote or a political position and in that sense he recalled that there is the will of the people that can be given through a referendum. The country is above everything, politics, political parties, personal ambitions, he mentioned.

Aida Michelle Ureña de Maduro stated that both she and Melitón Arrocha, presidential candidate for free nomination and PAIS, said that “without a doubt” the mining moratorium would be maintained. But above all we believe in the development of the country since “we are pro-Panama”, which means that we seek the best benefits for the isthmus. That means, she added, that decisions must also be made in the same way, that is, “constitutional.” “Let's carry out a plebiscite and let it be the voice of the people that is heard, but of the entire population,” she said.

https://www.newsroompanama.com/news/vice-presidential-candidates-speak-out

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The Zulay Rodríguez Story - Part 2

Posted 09/04/2024

In September of 2018, José Luis Penagos Hernández learned that Zulay’s lawyer Rafael Araúz, along with Zulay Rodríguez and Álvaro Ernesto Testa (Zulay’s husband) received the 66 kilos of gold from the National Customs Authority, and kept it for themselves to cover the fees, which according to them had not been paid by Penagos.  66 kilos of gold today is approximately 5 million dollars.  ]

Diana Clemencia Ríos Cardona reported that her husband (José Luis Penagos Hernández) was murdered on February 4, 2021 and presented the death certificate to the media.  The widow was accompanied by David Penagos (son of the businessman), who said that the claim is for 65 kilos of gold valued at the time at 4 million dollars.  After Penagos' death, the family filed a criminal complaint with the Public Ministry for the theft of the gold.  According to the complaint, the merchant, Penagos Hernández, signed a power of attorney that was later used by lawyers to simulate a debt for professional fees. 

The son of the Mexican businessman indicated that among the elements presented to the Panamanian authorities are audios of conversations between his father and Zulay Rodríguez.  After this, the PRD deputy Zulay Rodríguez called a conference, which took place in the Blue Room of the National Assembly. There she described what was said by the relatives of the Mexican goldsmith as “falsehoods” and announced that she would file legal action against them.  “I am going to prove that all this is false, that they have grabbed a case by the hair to falsely involve me,” she added.  The court process with Mr. Hernández lasted nine months, until it was dismissed by the Panamanian courts for the crime of money laundering from drug trafficking. 

Diana Clemencia Ríos Cardona, the widow, along with David Penagos, the son, began court proceedings:  Zulay Rodríguez is to be charged for alleged crimes against economic assets, in the modality of money laundering, illicit association to commit a crime, and against the administration of justice to the detriment of José Luis Penagos Hernández (RIP) related to some gold bars.   But, Representative Zulay Rodríguez has reiterated on several occasions that this litigation has already been won in the civil courts and that the accusation is totally false.

Rodríguez explained after that this is a case from 2011, which she litigated in 2018, and won “all the rulings in court.” Rodríguez not only considers herself to be “innocent” but also describes it as “political persecution” from the highest levels of power to remove her from the presidential race for being among the favorites in the polls. A similar situation, as she said, to the case of former president Ricardo Martinelli, disqualified from participating in the May 5 elections.  “This is a hoax and it is a lie.”  Although this situation is ongoing, and will not be silenced until at least after May 5th, we will wrap up the story, Part 3 of the Zulay Rodríguez story tomorrow.  We will also look at the other candidates in the race for Panama's President May 5th 2024 in the coming weeks.

https://www.newsroompanama.com/news/the-zulay-rodriguez-story-part-2

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Human Rights Watch Report of the Darién Rejected

 Posted 08/04/2024

The migration and security authorities of Panama on March 8 “categorically” rejected the report published by Human Rights Watch, which indicates that in Colombia and Panama the authorities do not effectively protect the right to life and physical integrity of migrants and applicants of asylum in transit, nor do immigration authorities investigate violations of their rights effectively and quickly.  Samira Gozaine, director of the National Immigration Service, assured that this report does not reflect the reality of what is happening in the Darién. The official added that of the more than 900,000 people that have passed through the Darién jungle in these five years, there are more than 17 institutions and NGOs that have never heard the stories of what is said in the report.  They stressed that this report has more aspects of being an ideological report than the objective reality of what is happening in the Darién, since it does not include the rights of adolescents abandoned by their parents in the jungle.  In those 130 pages there has not been a single line dedicated to these children.  There is also no mention of the fire in the modular buildings where 30 immigration officials and 17 from the National Border Service (Senafront) may have lost their lives. According to Human Rights Watch, in some specific cases, Panamanian security forces appear to have committed abuses against migrants and asylum seekers.  In fact, it states that these crimes in the Darien Gap, including recurring cases of sexual violence, are typically not investigated or punished.  The director of Senafront, Jorge Luis Gobea, indicated that more than 200 people accused of robbery, rape and human trafficking in the Darién and Guna Yala have been placed under arrest.  Among the causes of death with the highest incidence on irregular migratory routes are deaths due to drowning, stroke, heart attack and homicide.  From January to date, more than 114 thousand migrants have passed through the Darién jungle, 20% are minors.

https://www.newsroompanama.com/news/human-rights-watch-report-of-the-darien-rejected-1

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The Zulay Rodríguez Story - Part 1

 Posted 08/04/2024

You may have noticed that one of the candidates for President of Panama, Zulay Rodríguez, has been asked to attend the courts of justice recently to answer charges regarding the theft of 66 kilos of gold.  Zulay did not attend many of the recent court sessions and neither did her lawyer.  If you don’t follow politics closely in Panama, or you just haven’t heard about this story, this could make a Hollywood movie.  Pick your own set of movie stars to play the roles.  You may ask, ‘How and why did such a thing happen in Panama?’  Let me begin the story and over the next day or so, I will relay those parts that began back in March of 2009.   

Here is some background:  On March 9, 2009, Mexican goldsmith José Luis Penagos Hernández was detained in the transit area of the Tocumen International Airport in possession of 35 kilos of gold that the Customs Department seized alleging that it not been declared.  Penagos Hernández was traveling accompanied by a fellow goldsmith, the Venezuelan José Felipe Mendoza, from whom Customs also confiscated 31 kilos of gold. Both had, in total, just over 66 net kilos of gold.  Penagos Hernández argued that he did not have to declare the gold, since its final destination was not Panama, but Colombia.

However, everything became complicated after authorities found traces of methamphetamine in the gold.  The Mexican ended up in pavilion 6 of the La Joya prison, with several cases brought against him.  He was held in the prison system until his deportation on December 28, 2009.  The complaint shows that Penagos Hernández had an order preventing him from entering Panama, which is why they could not process the return of the gold.  As a result, Hernández hired the services of lawyers Zulay Rodríguez Lu, and Rafael Augusto Álvarez Canto and signed a power of attorney before the Third Circuit Notary of Panama.  Let’s continue this Zulay Rodríguez story tomorrow with Part 2. 

https://www.newsroompanama.com/news/the-zulay-rodriguez-story-part-1

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Fatal Accident in El Frances

 

Posted 07 April 2024

Van killed her and then crashed into another vehicle on the road

Brigitte Eillen Wedderburns Castillo, 47, died on Saturday night in a hit-and-run traffic accident, collision and rollover on the road leading from Boquete to Dolega, in the province of Chiriquí.

It all happened at about 9:10 pm in the French sector of Boquete, when a pick-up vehicle upon arriving in front of the entrance to the Poma Rosa neighborhood lost control and hit the injured woman with the right side of the wagon.

It simultaneously collided with the front left side of another pickup vehicle until it fell over its right side.

The site was attended by paramedics from the fire brigade, who attended to three injured people and then officials from the Boquete Personnel, together with Forensics the lifting of the body.

To date, 20 deaths due to traffic accidents have been recorded in 2024 in Chiriqui province.

https://elsiglo.com.pa/.../camioneta-la-mato-y-luego-se...

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Presidential Ballots from the TE

 Posted 08/04/2024

The Electoral Tribunal (TE), the folks who also make sure that your E-Cedula and in some cases, your N-Cedula is functional for you, began printing the presidential ballots for the May 5th elections.  However, if an event occurs in the coming days that impact the presidential race, the TE will take the necessary measures to present the “correct” ballot to the electorate.  You may be interested in the case of Mulino.  The candidate of the Realizing Goals (RM) and Alianza parties, José Raúl Mulino, appears on the ballot, however a lawsuit was presented against his candidacy before the Supreme Court of Justice for alleged unconstitutionality, a case that will be solved by Judge Olmedo Arrocha starting Monday, Eclipse Day. Arrocha has 10 days to prepare a draft ruling, which must be shared in simultaneous reading with the rest of the eight members of the full Court for a period of 20 days. If Arrocha's project does not have a resolution from the rest of the judges of the Court, a plenary session must be convened to discuss it and issue a ruling.  Mulino entered the presidential race after the TE disqualified Ricardo Martinelli from competing in the May elections, following his sentence to more than 10 years in prison for money laundering in the New Business Case.  The TE authorizes Mulino to assume the presidential candidacy to replace Martinelli. The lawsuit filed by Karisma Etienne Karamañites warns that although Mulino was appointed as vice president, that candidacy was not put to a vote in the RM primary elections. Mulino was chosen directly by Martinelli and was ratified by the directors of RM and the Alianza party.  Martinelli remains in the Nicaraguan embassy in Panama as of last February 7th and was granted asylum from President Daniel Ortega of Nicaragua, after Ricardo’s sentence of 168 months in prison became final.                 Former Panama President Ricardo Martinelli and Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega

https://www.newsroompanama.com/news/presidential-ballots-from-the-te

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Panama Papers Trial Starts Monday

Posted 07/04/2024

On the day of the Eclipse, Monday April 8th, there is another eclipse going on.  This one is a different definition for the word eclipse.  Eclipse:  Losing or having lost significance, power or prominence.  Yes, we are talking about the Panama Papers!!  You thought that was all over, correct?  Maybe you thought that it had just lost its significance, power or prominence.  Not a chance.  It is still very much around us here in Panama. The Second Liquidation Court of Criminal Cases, headed by Baloisa Marquínez, is scheduled to hold the trial of the so-called 'Panama Papers' case. It begins at 9am in the courtroom of the Gil Ponce Palace of Justice.

Let me take you back to 2016.  I was working with the Overseas Radio Network at the time broadcasting news stories in Panama, around the world over the internet on Skype, also available on iTunes.  I received the news that a journalistic investigation published by the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ), was about to hit the airwaves.  It involved the operations of the Panama law firm Mossack Fonseca who created companies that were used for various business practices: There was alleged corruption, possible money laundering, and the list went on and on, with some very famous and rich persons involved.

The documents obtained by the German newspaper Süddeutsche Zeitung and shared with the ICIJ came from Mossack Fonseca branches in Hong Kong, Miami, Zurich, the British Virgin Islands and more than thirty other countries. The information contained data on 214,488 offshore entities linked to people in more than 200 countries, as well as the 21 financial jurisdictions where the Panamanian law firm had a presence.  The files linked the Panamanian firm with companies or people linked to the African diamond trade and the clandestine international art market, to mention a few.  Among the firm's clients were, for example, the then Prime Minister of Iceland, Sigmundur David Gunnlaugsson, some of the protagonists of the most important gold robbery in England, and several of the actors in the FIFA scandal, as well as Lionel Messi, considered the best footballer in the world as you see his sweater and number everywhere.

In those days, the company Mossack Fonseca was mentioned in Brazil in the investigation into the payment of bribes and money laundering in Operation Lava Jato, an investigation that reached Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.  In Panama, the investigation consists of 528 volumes and involves former directors of the law firm.  Through Order Vario 137 of July 21, 2023, Judge Marquínez accumulated the Panama Papers and Lava Jato files into a single case, since they had similarities in the people accused and in the activities investigated by the Public Ministry. Among those charged are former Mossack Fonseca executives Jurgen Mossak, Ramón Fonseca Mora, lawyer Ramsés Owen, Edison Teano, María Mercedes Riaño, Sandra Alejandrina Naranjo, Luis Adonay Martínez, George Allen, Leticia Montoya, Rey Franklin Taylor, and others.

You have probably seen the 2019 comedy/drama movie that came to Netflix called “The Laundromat” with Meryl Streep, Antonio Banderas, and Gary Oldman.  It was a terrible movie, but you might want to check it out again as it is coming back into Panama news once again.  Here is the official trailer.   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wuBRcfe4bSoThe investigation has two aspects: one aimed at clarifying the purchase of real estate in Panama with alleged illicit money and another related to the Mossack Fonseca firm, which would have facilitated the creation of public limited companies, supposedly to move funds for the payment of bribes.  The preliminary hearing of the case took place in November 2021.  On March 14, 2018, the Mossack Fonseca firm announced the closure of its offices in Panama, as well as in 40 other countries.  They attributed the closure to ICIJ publications.  The firm defended itself with the following argument: “Mossack & Fonseca was the victim of a global cyber attack. The ICIJ presented to the world, based on stolen information, an inaccurate picture of the services we provided, distorting the nature of the industry and its role in global financial markets, releasing a series of publications full of speculation and data out of context that “They managed to fulfill a media agenda orchestrated by some international organizations.”

https://www.newsroompanama.com/news/panama-papers-trial-starts-monday

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Sunday Night 2 Ladies Arrested in Chiriquí

Posted 07/04/2024

In Chiriquí Province Sunday night in the district of Tolé at the Guabalá Comprehensive Control Post, National Police agents detained two women who had in their possession $181,750.  These ladies were traveling in a van, and were arrested during a routine inspection at the checkpoint.  The Police agents discovered several piles of money, hidden in the body of the vehicle, each containing $10,000, as well as two cell phones.

https://www.newsroompanama.com/news/sunday-night-2-ladies-arrested-in-chiriqui

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Plenty of Rain for the Panama Canal

 Posted 06/04/2024

Panama Canal restrictions are set to ease as the rains roll in as Panama’s rainy season begins.  Weather forecasts have plenty of rain heading Panama’s way with many folks in international shipping predicting that the worst has now passed.  The canal has been badly affected by drought for the past 11 months.  Newsroom Panama has been reporting on the Panama Canal Authority’s (ACP) decision to slash daily transits and draft levels since May of last year. The persistent drought, made all the worse by the El Niño weather phenomenon, saw a huge gathering of the global merchant fleet decide to avoid the waterway over the long queues and high toll fees. This was then compounded late last year when for the first time in shipping history, the Suez Canal became dangerous territory thanks to the Houthis from Yemen targeting merchant ships in and around the Red Sea in a campaign designed to bring pressure for a solution in the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas. 

Three weeks ago the ACP added three extra slots per day at its Panamax locks, taking the total daily maximum transits to 27, still more than 10 shy of the waterway’s normal maximum, but a sign that the worst was over.  Danish liner giant Maersk gave its own indication of the improving water levels along the canal today, announcing the reinstatement of a service that had previously switched to a rail land transit across the Central American country at the height of the drought crisis.  “As we approach the rainy season, the Panama Canal Authority recently introduced additional transit slots per day,” Maersk stated in an advisory. “After closely monitoring the development over the past weeks, we are pleased to announce that Maersk will reinstate the Panama Canal transit on our OC1 service effective May 10th, 2024.”  Restrictions on transits through the Panama Canal, which accounts for 2.5% of global trade, have seen tonnage transits down by a third.  There are currently 46 ships waiting to transit the canal, down from a peak of more than 160 last August. Latest projections from ACP show projected water depths at Gatun Lake, the vital piece of water in the middle of the canal, will start to climb rapidly towards the end of May as the rainy season kicks in. 

https://www.newsroompanama.com/news/plenty-of-rain-for-the-panama-canal

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Migrants with Drugs on a Bus

Posted 06/04/2024

Seven packages of drugs were seized on a bus transporting migrants to Costa Rica from the Darien.  During a routine verification at the Comprehensive Security and Interdiction Post against Drug Trafficking in the community of Agua Fría, province of Darién, seven packages with illicit substances were located hidden in the bus. According to Deputy Commissioner Kenneth Rodrígez, of the National Border Service (Senafront), a canine unit, trained in the detection of illicit substances, issued an alert, which is why the vehicle was searched.

https://www.newsroompanama.com/news/migrants-with-drugs-on-a-bus

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Melitón Arrocha Spoke with the Kiwanis Club

Posted 06/04/2024

The independent candidate for the Presidency of Panama, Melitón Arrocha, spoke with members of the Kiwanis Club, a global service organization dedicated to improving communities through personal commitment. Mr. Arrocha emphasized the importance of returning to investment grade for Panama, recognizing the current challenges, including the recent increase in debt and the loss of investment grade by the Fitch agency. “We are facing a complicated economic situation, which is felt in the streets. “He anticipated that, after the government took over, we will see an even more significant contraction if we do not take concrete actions now,” he noted, and pledged to work from day one to avoid that fate. The independent candidate spoke about the governance challenges for the next administration, raised details about the constitutional reforms that he considers necessary, and mentioned his strategies for the efficient management of the national debt. 

https://www.newsroompanama.com/news/meliton-arrocha-spoke-with-the-kiwanis-club

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Cathedral of St Luke Panama, Centennial

Posted 05/04/2024

The Anglican-Episcopal Cathedral of St Luke in Ancon Panama City celebrated its Centennial this past March 23rd.  The oldest Anglican-Episcopal cathedral in Central America and Panama, St Luke’s history is not only unique within the Anglican-Episcopal community but is also significantly tied to the history of Panama itself.  Located in Ancon, the Cathedral of St. Luke is a principal landmark in the City of Panama, and the Episcopal Diocese of Panama which is a member of the Anglican Church in the Central American Region (IARCA), and the Worldwide Anglican Communion.  Near the foot of Ancon Hill, the majestic Cathedral can be seen from nearby Panama City streets.  Its tower, rising high above the surrounding lush tropical vegetation, has elements inspired by the early 20th century Spanish Colonial Revival architecture of Southern California, while the Corinthian portico with its stately columns is reminiscent of colonnades in Rome and London.  As evening approaches and darkness takes over, the brilliant colors of the unique stained-glass window dedicated to those who died in the building of the Panama Canal, set behind the altar of the adjacent All Soul’s Chapel, can be seen from afar.  St. Luke’s lovely exterior is but an invitation to the beautiful sanctuary that awaits inside, an oasis of peace and tranquility.  A climb to the top of the tower, not for the faint of heart, provides a breathtaking 360-degree view of Panama City and surrounding areas.The Cathedral’s history began in the early 1900’s with a private chapel in the home of Colonel William Crawford Gorgas, a devoted Episcopalian, and US Army officer sent to Panama in 1904 as chief sanitation officer.  Colonel Gorgas is best known for his vital work in bringing mosquito borne illnesses such as yellow fever and malaria under control during the building of the Panama Canal. In 1908, a small wooden chapel was built which and was named the Chapel of St. Luke the Beloved Physician.    Some years later, under the leadership of the first Bishop of the Panama Canal Zone, the Right Reverend James Craik Morris, a new structure was commissioned to be designed by an architect from New York, Hobart Upjohn, the grandson of Richard Upjohn who is famous for his Gothic Revival churches, and Meade Bolton of Panama.    The cornerstone of the Cathedral was laid in April of 1922 and the building was completed just a year and a half later.  The Cathedral of St. Luke was consecrated on the third Sunday in Lent, March 23, 1924, and its doors have been open ever since.Today, St. Luke’s celebrates two services every Sunday, with one in Spanish and one in English.  A healing service is celebrated at noon every Wednesday in All Souls Chapel.  The Cathedral has outreach ministries to care for and feed the poor and disenfranchised, co-sponsors the Girls Home (formerly the Bella Vista Children’s Home) with other Anglican-Episcopal churches in Panama, shares its space for cultural activities, as well as other varied activities dedicated to the well-being of the community.  St. Luke’s mission and ministry draws on its rich Anglican-Episcopal heritage. The congregation's focus is to bring English and Spanish speaking communities into closer relationship with God and each other; spreading the Gospel, the Sacraments and God’s love and fellowship to people of all races, nationalities, personal preferences, and age groups, especially the alienated and disadvantaged in Panama City and those without a Church family; maintaining worship in a dynamic, welcoming and safe environment; and demonstrating the Spirit of Christ through our ministry and outreach.

The Centennial Celebration was officiated by the Most Reverend Julio E. Murray, Th., Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Panama, with the assistance of the Reverend Adrian Cardenas Torres, Clergy-in-Charge of the Cathedral of St Luke, as well as clergy from throughout the Diocese.  St Luke’s was beautifully decorated for the occasion which included the Lux Vitae Chorus and typical dancers from the St Christopher’s Episcopal Institute, in addition to lovely instrumental accompaniment by organist Mario Algandona and harpist Jan Bishop.   A beautiful exhibition of the Cathedral’s history was part of the celebration, as was a lovely reception in the garden following the worship service. As it begins its second century of service in Panama, the Cathedral of St Luke’s invites all to visit throughout the week and to worship on Wednesday and/or Sunday.   

https://www.newsroompanama.com/news/cathedral-of-st-luke-panama-centennial

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Presidential Election Debate

Posted 04/04/2024

You may have been seeing and hearing around Panama, many trucks and cars honking horns, loaded up with kids, teens, pets and balloons, shouting and singing and having a great time.  It is election time in Panama.  The most recent Presidential Debate happened last night.  Outside the building, a few meters ahead of the first security fence, two batucadas happened. (lots of drumming and music noises).  That takes us back to the era of the Popular Party candidate Martin Torrijos. The other was from the Democratic Change candidate Rómulo Roux. It seemed like a competition as to who could make the most noise.

José Gabriel Carrizo, candidate of the ruling Democratic Revolutionary Party, was the last candidate to arrive. He appeared 20 minutes before 7:30 pm. He was not present in the room when they took the official photo of the event.   The clock struck 7:30 pm when Roux, Gordón, Arrocha, Carrizo, Torrijos, Lombana and Zulay Rodríguez took their positions. The order was determined in a draw on February 27.  Roux could be seen reviewing his notes. Gordon looked at the audience without any major nerves. Arrocha, who was also reviewing his notes, looked calm. He made eye contact when the other candidates intervened, sometimes turning his body toward them. Carrizo's body language said something else: disinterest and nervousness. At times he crossed his arms and moved his left foot non-stop. Torrijos also looked at the audience and seemed relaxed. Lombana began swaying back and forth, a movement of apparent nerves seen in other debates that he lost as his interventions progressed.  Rodríguez, who had a book on the podium that she read from time to time, took notes, and reviewed notes written in a pink notebook. 

It takes “will,” Roux said. Gordon wants a “dignified life” because “everyone has been in government.”  Carrizo began his intervention as usual, thanking “God and the Virgin.” Lombana and Rodríguez spoke of eliminating “monopolies” and “oligopolies.” Among the few specific attacks, all without mentioning names, some drew attention: when Lombana used one of his interventions in the second block to question the millions and millions proposed by some of his opponents. “This looked like an auction for Promtur,” he said.  Arrocha said that during his government he would not allow the closure of streets. Rodríguez, who is also a candidate for mayor of San Miguelito, came to shouts in her last intervention to ask again for a cable car to be built in that township.  Carrizo said that despite the fact that Panama lost its investment grade last week, “we are doing well.”  Panama is a country as safe as or safer than France,” Carrizo said before the cameras. “How are you going to say that we are not doing well if Panama grew 7.3%…”  “Panama is not a country that is doing badly as they want to say, Panama is a country that is moving forward.”

https://www.newsroompanama.com/news/presidential-election-debate

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Friday April 5 Most Fuel Prices Rise

Posted 04/04/2024

6am Friday, tomorrow the prices rise, so get your gasoline today.  Not all prices are the same in all towns and cities.  A complete chart is below. 95 octane gasoline will increase by one penny pricing it at one dollar and 11 cents per liter. 91 octane gasoline will also rise one cent to 1.02 cents per liter. Low sulfur diesel will drop by one cent to 0.93 cents per liter. These prices will remain in effect until 5:59am Friday April 19^th. 

https://www.newsroompanama.com/news/friday-april-5-most-fuel-prices-rise

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José Raúl Mulino Leads in the Panama Election Polls

Posted 03/04/2024

Panama’s voter preferences have not changed much since the political campaign began on February 3rd 2024.  José Raúl Mulino front, in this voting poll below but of course there is a long way to go before the May 5th Presidential Electoral vote and plenty of debates to learn more about the candidates. 

https://www.newsroompanama.com/news/jose-raul-mulino-leads-in-the-panama-election-polls