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101,000 Migrants in 2024 Through the Darien

Posted 24/03/2024

The Darién, the natural border between Panama and Colombia, has seen more than 101,000 migrants in 3 months, which is much higher than the same time frame last year.  The majority of those who have crossed the jungle are Venezuelans (64,307), Ecuadorians (8,198), Haitians (6,661) Colombians (6,462) plus other nationalities.  The increase in migrants through the Darién on their way to the United States or Canada in search of better living conditions has been increasing since 2021, reaching a record number of more than 520,000 in 2023, double that of the previous year and for this year, an increase of up to 20% is expected compared to last year. 

The natural dangers of the Darién and the presence of armed groups have made migrants look for other alternatives such as the Caribbean route, in which last February 5 migrants died after their boat with 27 passengers, most of them Afghans, capsized in the Panamanian Caribbean near the border with Colombia.  Also in November 2023, Panamanian security forces rescued 11 Chinese migrants who had been abandoned on a boat in the Caribbean.  Panama registers the migrants upon their arrival in the indigenous populations at the exit of the jungle or in the migratory reception centers (shelters) where they are given shelter and food, and then coordinates the departure by bus to Costa Rica, a trip that they must pay for themselves. 

However, Panamanian authorities believe that this is a “business” of organized crime that they have to deal with.  Doctors Without Borders (MSF) suspended its medical and humanitarian care in the Darién as of March 4^th by “order” of the Panamanian Government, which accused the NGO of sending “incomplete” reports. The Panamanian authorities indicated that MSF hindered the work of judicial and health institutions by refusing to provide the necessary information on migrants who were allegedly victims of sexual violence.

https://www.newsroompanama.com/news/101000-migrants-in-2024-through-the-darien

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Part 4 of “The Panama Canal is Doing Much Better”

Posted 24/03/2024

Part 4 of “The Panama Canal is Doing Much Better” Why didn’t the Panama Canal lose money when ship crossings fell?  A water shortage forced officials to reduce traffic, but higher fees increased revenue.  

Let’s move away from the wet canal and talk about the new dry canal, and we are not talking about the lack of water in the Panama Canal.  Reducing the processing time by up to 25% will help speed up the transshipment of merchandise through the dry channel.  Rodolfo Samuda, technical secretary of the Logistics Cabinet, said that with the formalization of the dry channel, the cargo transportation area will be extended to other areas such as the Southern Corridor to streamline the operation between the airport and the ports.  With the challenge of the water crisis that the Panama Canal has faced since mid-2023 and which has generated a progressive reduction in the daily transit of vessels, the transshipment of merchandise via land that was already operating in the country as it is a logistics hub, is taking on more value, by becoming an alternative for shipping companies to continue taking into account the operation in Panama.  Shipping companies can unload containers at ports on either the Pacific or Atlantic side and transfer the cargo to other port terminals in the country by land with trucks or by rail and from there continue to other destinations in the region again by boat. 

However, this operation encountered several obstacles such as excessive paperwork, the lack of digitalization of processes and even the restriction on the hours of offices and public entities that operate in ports, many until 4:00 pm, when There is a need for them to operate on rotating schedules so that there are 24-hour facilities, described Antonio García-Prieto, vice president of the Logistics Business Council, during a discussion on the formation of the Dry Canal.  Another problem is that the capacity of the port infrastructure is insufficient and modernization of the equipment is required, García-Prieto added.  For the businessman, the officialization of a dry canal, last week in the Cabinet Council and subsequently the publication in the Official Gazette of the decrees to legalize this system and create new primary and secondary customs zones, is a step in the right direction, but follow-up must be done so that all the required measures are carried out.  The Minister Counselor of Private Investment Facilitation, José Alejandro Rojas, after giving a historical dissertation on Panama's vocation since the time of the Spanish crown, as a dry channel between the Atlantic and the Pacific, said that the measure to regulate and to make this operation official is to apply measures to reduce by between 20% and up to 25% the delays recorded in merchandise transshipment operations and the entire process that entails.  “We will seek to simplify processes, digitize procedures and standardize the entire merchandise transshipment operation,” said Rojas.  He specified that regarding the schedule restriction, an analysis is being developed to extend operations both in public entities and in private companies related to the operation of land cargo.

“The decrees that were approved will allow the regulatory framework to simplify the treatment of merchandise and expand the primary zone to interconnect public and private assets, economic zones, ports, airports, highways, among others,” he added.  Specifically, Cabinet Decree Number 13 of March 13, 2024 creates the Multimodal Dry Channel for Transshipment of Goods of the Republic of Panama, called Omar Torrijos Herrera, and establishes in turn the formation and expansion of the primary and secondary zones within customs jurisdiction to streamline land and rail cargo transportation processes between ports and airports. Rojas assured that more cargo capacity will be able to move along the roads and highways.  “By reducing times between 20% and 25%, more cargo can be moved, and we are creating the conditions for shipping companies to bring more containers to the country and to generate greater dynamism in transshipment by road and rail,” said Rojas.  Rodolfo Samuda, technical secretary of the logistics cabinet, explained that among the new areas that will be expanded is the Southern Corridor to more quickly connect the transfer of cargo from the ports to the Tocumen International Airport and take advantage of cargo operations on specialized aircraft and passengers in the bellies of these aircraft.  “It will give agility to the logistics platform and in turn decongest the capacity of some services that are not provided due to the difficulties of the Canal,” Samuda added.  He explained that part of these new areas that are expanded for transshipment operations and primary customs zones are the entire area of the PSA port, Panama Pacifico, in addition to the Southern Corridor, Colón, and the entire Alberto Motta highway. 

Part 5 of “The Panama Canal is Doing Much Better” will complete tomorrow.  Stay tuned for the final episode in this 5 part series.  

https://www.newsroompanama.com/news/part-4-of-the-panama-canal-is-doing-much-better

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Part 3 of “The Panama Canal is Doing Much Better”

Posted 24/03/2024

Part 3 of “The Panama Canal is Doing Much Better” Why didn’t the Panama Canal lose money when ship crossings fell?  A water shortage forced officials to reduce traffic, but higher fees increased revenue.  The administrator of the Panama Canal Authority, Ricaurte Vásquez, indicated that this week the number of transits per day was increased to 27 and that he hopes to continue monitoring the state of the lakes to make other decisions.  The Canal has increased its transits, but he insists that the reservoir on the Indio River will be the most efficient solution.  After a difficult year for the Panama Canal that forced it to restrict the passage of vessels, it is expected that normality will be restored before February 2025.  Cited by international agencies, Vásquez pointed out that in the medium term "all the indications we have received point to a mild La Niña, possibly beginning in the month of March and April, and a greater probability that the intensity of La Niña will increase for the months July and August ," said Vásquez.  In Panama, La Niña is characterized by a rainy season with more rainfall than expected, which if well used would help the Canal.  However, Vásquez does not believe that the maritime industry "can adjust so quickly" to the new reality.  The level of the lakes that feed the Panama Canal has improved and Alajuela has gone from 62 meters in May 2023, the worst record of the year, to 72 meters. 

The canal authority expects to pay the government $2.47 billion this year, down modestly from the record $2.54 billion that it paid last year.  Todd Martinez, a co-head for the Americas at Fitch Ratings who analyzes Panama’s government finances told Newsroom Panama “The good news is that the drought doesn’t have a terrible near-term impact on Panama’s public finances, because the canal has a lot of pricing power.  Canal tolls and dividends were 24 percent of government revenue in 2023, Mr. Martinez said. “But the bigger problem is the government can no longer keep relying on the canal to solve all of its other fiscal problems.”  Faced with the prospect of permanently lower rainfall, the canal authority plans to create a big new reservoir that would supply enough extra water to handle an additional 12 to 15 passages a day. Lawmakers still need to approve the project, which the authority estimates will take four to six years to complete.  Panama has elections in May, but Ms. Marotta, the deputy administrator, said last week that all the presidential candidates had told the authority that they supported the reservoir.  “There’s a great understanding in Panama that life without the canal would be very difficult to deal with,” said Sebastian Briozzo, an analyst for S&P Global Ratings.  Part 4 of “The Panama Canal is Doing Much Better” tomorrow as the news is updated.

Part 3 of “The Panama Canal is Doing Much Better” Newsroom Panama

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3rd Presidential Debate April 17th

Posted 24/03/2024

The third official debate of the 2024 presidential electoral process happens on April 17th at the Anayansi Theater of the Atlapa Convention Center, an event organized by the Chamber of Commerce, Industries and Agriculture of Panama, and the Electoral Tribunal (TE), with the production of Corporación Medcom.  It will focus on 4 themes:

Employment and entrepreneurship

Water and sustainability

Institutionality

Social development

Unlike the previous two, this face to face will be divided into four blocks.  In the first, each candidate will have 30 seconds to introduce themselves. In the second, each one will have one minute and 30 seconds to talk about their proposals regarding the topics of the debate. While the candidate speaks, any of her opponents can reply for 45 seconds. To do this he must press a button and whoever does it the fastest can reply first, and so on.  In the third block, candidates will have 15 seconds to ask another question. A draw will be held to determine who asks whom. Whoever responds will have 45 seconds to speak.  While the fourth block is for the conclusions. You will have one minute to say goodbye.  However, along the way this methodology could receive modifications, as some campaigns have shown concern about the dynamics of some of the blocks.  On April 10th a draw will be held to establish the order in which the candidates will participate.  The first debate was held on February 26th and the second was held on March 13th.  In both, seven of the eight presidential candidates have participated: José Gabriel Carrizo , from the Democratic Revolutionary Party and Molirena; Martín Torrijo s, from the Popular Party; Rómulo Roux , from Cambio Democrático and the Panameñista Party; Ricardo Lombana, from the Other Path Movement; as well as Melitón Arrocha, Zulay Rodríguez, and Maribel Gordón, candidates for free nomination.  José Raúl Mulino, candidate of the Realizing Goals and Alianza parties, has already announced that he will not attend.

https://www.newsroompanama.com/news/3rd-presidential-debate-april-17th

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José Raúl Mulino Visits Chiriqui with Greetings from Ricardo Martinelli

 Posted 23/03/2024

The presidential candidate for the alliance of the Realizing Goals and Alliance parties, José Raúl Mulino, made his second day tour through Chiriquí this Saturday, affirming the proposals that Martinelli-Mulino have for the high-impact sectors of this province, such as agriculture, tourism and economic reactivation. “We will bring more ‘chen chen’ to the pockets of Panamanians,” Mulino said before dozens of supporters, activists and candidates of his party that is favored to win on May 5^th in all polls. Mulino's tour included the communities of Dolega, Concepción in Bugaba and Puerto Armuelles in Barú, where he indicated that he will govern alongside the agricultural sector that will be well represented and cared for, so that the hardships of the last two governments do not happen. 

“Bugaba is a highly agricultural region that produces milk, meat, vegetables, and water but it is having a hard time. There is no reason for rich towns to be struggling and we must help so that poor towns can be rich towns with the efforts of all of us,” said Mulino, promising the Bugabeños that he will finish the construction of their hospital.  He added that this medical center will be a source of pride for medical care, “the era of people's works being stopped for political revenge is over.  No more political revenge.”  Mulino once again highlighted the proposal for the David-Panama Train. “I have arrived in the land of the train,” said the presidential candidate, pointing out that this project will generate many jobs in its construction phase, as happened with the old railway that linked Bugaba with Puerto Armuelles.  This construction will begin in the province of Chiriquí, all the way to Panama City.  This great train will be our crowning work,” Mulino announced.  He stated that this train will boost national tourism and the movement of commercial cargo, generating progress, employment and ‘buco chen chen’ for all Panamanians.

Mulino highlighted the effort that his government will make to rescue Panama's tourism, giving full support to the private sector and creating policies that will encourage the arrival of tourists.  “We are going to make Panama's tourism soaring again.”  Mulino also said that he will appoint a trained person in the Panama Tourism Authority so that, together with the tourism chambers of the entire country, a new tourism offer aimed at the international market can be put together.  In the afternoon Mulino arrived in Puerto Armuelles where he was received by the deputy candidate Osman Gómez of the Alianza party, who arrived accompanied by more than 5 thousand supporters.  There Mulino made a walk from the Malecón to the park where he passed along a message: “Greetings from Ricardo Martinelli; I know what was generated in Puerto Armuelles and I know what has to be done so that they can experience great things again, as they deserve. We need you to do what needs to be done in Puerto Armuelles.”  He also reaffirmed again:  “Chiricano votes Chiricano… Meto.”

https://www.newsroompanama.com/news/jose-raul-mulino-visits-chiriqui-with-greetings-from-ricardo-martinelli

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Senafront Shot and Killed a Foreigner in the Darien Jungle

Posted 23/03/2024

A confrontation with Senafront agents left one person dead in the Darién jungle.  The National Border Service (Senafront) reported this Saturday March 23^rd that a group of men clashed with agents from the Special Forces Brigade in the area of the Tupiza River, in the province of Darién.  After the clashes with the Senafront, the death of one of the foreigners was reported.  The foreigner may have been indigenous.  Preliminary investigations indicate that these men belong to one of the criminal organizations that operate in the area.  After the exchange of shots, two firearms were confiscated (a pistol and a revolver) and a citizen, whose nationality was not revealed, was arrested.  “This case was placed at the disposal of the competent authority to continue with the corresponding procedures.  Operation “Moisés 17” is being carried out in Darién, specifically at the headwaters of the Tupiza River in the Darién jungle.

https://www.newsroompanama.com/news/senafront-shot-and-killed-a-foreigner-in-the-darien-jungle

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José Raúl Mulino in Chiriqui This Weekend

Posted 22/03/2024

The presidential candidate, José Raúl Mulino, brought his national tour to the province of Chiriquí this weekend.  He spoke about the much talked about ‘train’, he maintained that he will put the situation of migrants in order, in addition to solving the problem of drinking water in Chiriquí and the rest of the country by restructuring the Institute of National Aqueducts and Sewers (IDAAN).  Mulino, who was accompanied by his wife Maricel de Mulino, along with friends and supporters, along with a life-size sign picturing Mr. Martinelli, spoke to the people of Chiriquí to tell them that the flagship work of the Martinelli-Mulino formula is to build the Panama-David train, which will enhance the logistics sector and will bring together all the people of the country.  “We are going to shorten distances to bring lives closer.”

https://www.newsroompanama.com/news/jose-raul-mulino-in-chiriqui-this-weekend

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Part 2 of “The Panama Canal is Doing Much Better”

Posted 22/03/2024

 

Part 2 of “The Panama Canal is Doing Much Better”

Why didn’t the Panama Canal lose money when ship crossings fell?  A water shortage forced officials to reduce traffic, but higher fees increased revenue.  However if delays continue for the Panama Canal and the cost keeps rising, shipping companies may find ways to avoid the canal.  Last year, as the canal became backed up, ships that wanted to travel from Asia to the East Coast of the United States began going through the Suez Canal, a far longer voyage that uses much more fuel.  Many vessels are still using a western route from Asia even after the Houthi attacks in the Red Sea forced shipping companies to avoid the Suez Canal and go around Africa.  Mr. Kalleklev said that, after his vessels had delivered their cargo and were empty, they now typically returned to the United States via the Cape of Good Hope.  Though Panama is one of the world’s wettest countries, a sharp drop in rainfall last year deprived the canal of the water it needs for locks that raise and lower vessels into and out of the 40-mile passage between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. Climate experts say such water shortages may become more common.

The weather pattern known as El Niño initially causes hotter and drier conditions in Panama, and scientists say climate change may be prolonging dry spells. Last year, there was 1.85 meters (six feet) of rainfall in the Panama Canal’s watershed, well below the historical annual average of 2.6 meters, according to the canal authority.  Rainfall in the watershed was below average in six of the last 10 years, including years that were the second, third, sixth and seventh driest since 1950, the authority added.  To conserve water, the authority gradually reduced passages from a normal range of 36 to 38 vessels a day to 22 by December.  But higher-than-expected rainfall and the canal’s water conservation measures enabled it to since raise crossings to 27 a day.  Though the number of passages is still below normal, the canal is in decent financial shape, analysts said.  Verónica Améndola, an analyst for S&P Global Ratings, expects that the canal’s revenue in the 12 months through next September will be roughly the same as a year earlier, primarily because of the toll increases. S&P Global estimates that the cost of shipping through the canal will rise to $10 a ton from $6 a ton. This is good news for Panama’s government, which relies heavily on payments from the canal and is facing skepticism about its deficit from investors in the international bond market.   Part 3 of “The Panama Canal is Doing Much Better” tomorrow as the news is updated.

https://www.newsroompanama.com/news/part-2-of-the-panama-canal-is-doing-much-better

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Martin Torrijos Defends José Raúl Mulino

 Posted 22/03/2024

There are attempts by those in power to try and disqualify front runner José Raúl Mulino from running for President in the Panama election that will be decided on May 5^th.  The former president of the Republic, Martín Torrijos, rejected this Thursday the attempts to disqualify the presidential candidate José Raúl Mulino.  Torrijos stressed that he does not agree with the attempt to disqualify Mulino, which in his opinion is due to the fear of other candidates who have been left behind.  "There are some who are not in the race, no matter how much media tries to help them or favor them or how much money they have, so they are walking away and losing the opportunity.  They think that the way to have an opportunity is to disqualify people.  I'm here," Torrijos told Radio Panama.  The Popular Party candidate pointed out that whoever wishes to participate should do so and that everything must be decided at the polls.  "I want to win with the majority of Panamanian votes, I don't want to win by forfeit, I don't agree with this," he said.

https://www.newsroompanama.com/news/martin-torrijos-defends-jose-raul-mulino

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Panama Pineapples to be Shipped to New Zealand

Posted 22/03/2024

Panamanian pineapple has a new market in New Zealand, a country in Oceania, which approved an import provision that opens the options of selling the product grown in Panama.  New Zealand required inspections of pineapple production sites in Panama by their New Zealand technical inspectors, and with constant communication between both countries, this market was able to be opened.  “For the first time, Panamanian pineapples will arrive in Oceania, for the benefit of national pineapple producers and exporting companies.” highlighted MIDA.  Pineapple production mostly comes from Panama Oeste with 79.6% of the total harvested, followed by Chiriquí with 20.2% and other provinces with minimal contributions.  In 2023, pineapple exports reached 12.68 million kilos, which compared to 12.90 million kilos in 2022, represented a reduction of 1.70%.  Between 2022 and 2023 there were 25.59 million kilos of pineapple fruit exports.

https://www.newsroompanama.com/news/panama-pineapples-to-be-shipped-to-new-zealand

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The Panama Canal is Doing Much Better - Part 1

Posted 22/03/2024

This is part one of an in depth look at the Panama Canal.  More will be printed daily as the information is received.  

Why didn’t the Panama Canal lose money when ship crossings fell?  A water shortage forced officials to reduce traffic, but higher fees increased revenue.  Low water levels have forced officials to slash the number of ships that are allowed through the Panama Canal, disrupting global supply chains and pushing up transportation costs.  But, remarkably, the big drop in ship traffic has not, at least so far, led to a financial crunch for the canal, which passes on much of its toll revenue to Panama’s government.  That’s because the canal authority introduced hefty increases in tolls before the water crisis started. In addition, shipping companies have been willing to pay large sums in special auctions to secure one of the reduced numbers of crossings.

In the 12 months through September, the canal’s revenue rose 15 percent, to nearly $5 billion, even though the tonnage shipped through the canal fell 1.5 percent.  The Panama Canal Authority declined to say how much money it earned from auctions.  At a maritime conference in Stamford, Connecticut, Ilya Espino de Marotta, the canal’s deputy administrator, said the auction fees, which reached as much as $4 million per passage last year, “helped a little bit.”  But even now, during a quieter season for global shipping, auction fees can double the cost of using the canal.  

This month, Avance Gas, which ships liquefied petroleum gas, paid a $401,000 auction fee and $400,000 for the regular toll, said Oystein Kalleklev, the company’s chief executive.  Auction fees are ultimately borne by the company whose goods are being shipped.  The canal’s financial stability in the face of a dire water shortage shows how the people who manage crucial links in global supply chains are adapting as climate change disrupts operations.  It also helps that there are no viable alternatives in Latin America to the canal, an engineering marvel that opened in 1914 and handles an estimated 5 percent of seaborne trade.  Todd Martinez, a co-head for the Americas at Fitch Ratings who analyzes Panama’s government finances said  “The good news is that the drought doesn’t have a terrible near-term impact on Panama’s public finances, because the canal has a lot of pricing power.    Part 2 tomorrow....

https://www.newsroompanama.com/news/the-panama-canal-is-doing-much-better-part-1

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Gang Members Arrested

Posted 22/03/2024

Six members of the dangerous gang 'Real Gangster For Life' were arrested Thursday in Buena Vista, province of Colón, as part of operation 'Praderas'.  The objective of this raid was to dismantle this criminal group, linked to other crimes such as homicide, robbery and drug trafficking. The operation, led by the prosecutor's office with the support of the National Police, included searches at the Nuevo Esperanza prison, where some members of the gang are provisionally detained for other crimes.  During the raids, relevant evidence and clues were seized.  Simultaneously, in the province of Colón, operation 'AresF1' was carried out, which has resulted in the arrest of 17 people so far. These people are wanted for crimes that include homicide, rape, fraud, robbery, and domestic violence, amongst others.

https://www.newsroompanama.com/news/gang-members-arrested

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Drugs Seized in Colón

Posted 21/03/2024

Some 515 packages of illegal drugs were seized Wednesday night March 20th inside a container pictured above in a port in the province of Colón.  It was a joint operation between the National Police, a keen smelling German Shepherd pup, and the Public Ministry.  The rectangular packages were reportedly hidden inside a container that came from Puerto Cortés in Honduras, transiting through Panama. Their final destination was to be the city of Gothenburg in Sweden. 

https://www.newsroompanama.com/news/drugs-seized-in-colon

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Fuel Prices Increase on Friday at 6am

Posted 21/03/2024

Increased fuel prices will come into effect starting Friday March 22nd.  95 octane gasoline will increase five cents, raising its price per liter to $1.10 ($4.18 per gallon) while 91 octane gasoline will increase four cents per liter, reaching a price of $1.00 ($3.82 per gallon).  As for low-sulfur diesel, it has been reported that its price will increase by one cent per liter, to remain at $0.94 ($3.55 per gallon).  These new prices will be in effect from 6:00 am on Friday, March 22nd until 5:59 am on Friday April 5th.

https://www.newsroompanama.com/news/fuel-prices-increase-on-friday-at-6am

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The Beginning of Rainy Season

Posted 20/03/2024

According to climatological analyses, current conditions indicate that we are currently in the transition period from the dry to the rainy season.  A weakening of the Northeast Trade winds (NE) and the entry of winds from the South were observed this past February of 2024.  During this transition period, isolated short-lived showers happened as well as several consecutive days without rain.  They highlight that in the coming weeks a cold thrust, located over the Caribbean Sea basin maintains a cold mass in the Central American region and is expected to approach the Panamanian latitudes, which will interact with local conditions. 

This increases the probability of significant rain events in specific locations on the Panamanian isthmus during the last ten days of March and early April 2024.  However, these events will mainly mark the beginning of the rainy season in the west of the province of Chiriquí.

https://www.newsroompanama.com/news/the-beginning-of-rainy-season

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Pope Francis Advocates for Migrants Crossing the Darien

Posted 20/03/2024

Pope Francis has asked the Church of Latin America to work to eradicate the indifference that exists towards migrants who cross the Darien jungle looking for a better life.  His message was sent to the meeting of border Bishops of Colombia, Costa Rica and Panama.  Pope Francis is advocating for migrants crossing Darien and asks everyone who can, to give them help.  "I urge you, therefore, to join forces with all levels of the international community, so that everyone has the right to remain in their land with a dignified and peaceful life," he added. 

https://www.newsroompanama.com/news/pope-francis-advocates-for-migrants-crossing-the-darien

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Martin Torrijos Meets with Food Producers

 Posted 20/03/2024

The presidential candidate, Martin Torrijos, met with representatives of the productive sector of legumes, vegetables, coffee and bananas, to whom he reiterated that his proposal includes the transformation of the agricultural sector to guarantee food security and financial support. The meeting, held in the district of Paso Ancho and which lasted one hour, allowed producers to raise their concerns and problems that afflict the productive sector, such as improvements and construction of production roads, marketing, access to technology, financing and modernization of the agricultural sector, which gives them access to more support from the institutions responsible for serving those who work to produce food in the country.  "With producers it is always a pleasant opportunity; we have pending challenges to overcome, an association that recovers time and takes us along a path of well-being and progress, and that producers are paid fairly and consumers have affordable products," said the former president. to local media.  Torrijos Espino added that there is a lack of institutional support from the entities involved in agriculture, in addition to an enormous debt with the producers, who are promised to be paid off, but are not fulfilled.  

https://www.newsroompanama.com/news/martin-torrijos-meets-with-food-producers

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Pet Hospital Election Promise From José Raúl Mulino

Posted 20/03/2024

The presidential candidate for the alliance of parties Realizing Goals and Alliance, José Raúl Mulino, toured the community of Betania in the Capital district this Wednesday, ensuring that the pet hospital will be a reality in his government.  Mulino stated that this work will allow many Panamanians to give the veterinary care that their pets deserve, while pointing out that the problems of garbage collection and drinking water in this community will be addressed with good management in his government. In addition, he reiterated that many job opportunities will be created.  José Raúl Mulino, who along with his wife, Maricel de Mulino, also accompanied the candidate for mayor of the capital city, Sergio “Chello” Gálvez, to inaugurate his campaign center in Betania, explained that the pet hospital is a social proposal that was born from the Martinelli-Mulino formula with the aim of facilitating veterinary care for pets in thousands of homes, since currently private care is very expensive and, many times, out of reach of many people.  He stressed that the pet hospital is a work that will benefit homes from all walks of life or every home that has one or more pets. Mulino also clarified that this hospital will not only treat dogs and cats, but all animals considered pets.  The candidate pointed out that the pet hospital will allow veterinary students from the University of Panama to do their professional practice in these facilities.  During the tour of the Betania community, Mulino and “Chello” Gálvez were accompanied by candidates and supporters of the RM and Alianza parties.

https://www.newsroompanama.com/news/pet-hospital-election-promise-from-jose-raul-mulino

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Migrants are Being Bussed Back to Panama

 Posted 13/03/2024

Mexico is sending migrants back to Panama on buses.  The Mexican government plans to pay up to $34.2 million in a tender to hire buses to repatriate irregular migrants they capture to send them to Panama and the rest of the Central American countries.  The newspaper El Sol de México, detailed that this plan was devised by the administration of President Andrés Manuel López Obrador to reduce the number of migrants in Mexican territory.  There will be at least 40 passenger trucks that must be available “at any time” to cover the international route of safe return. So far this year, 85,000 migrants have already entered the Darién jungle.  It is interesting that I have met expats over the years who were willing to pay good money to hike through the Darien jungle and travel throughout South and Central America by bus.  If it wasn't such a sad situation, one of these bus companies getting all of this current experience, could start offering bus tours and hiking to North American and European adventurers.  

https://www.newsroompanama.com/travel/migrants-are-being-bussed-back-to-panama

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Panamanian Economy Grew 7.3% in 2023

Posted 18/03/2024

The GDP in 2023 was $78,823.4 million, an increase of $5,374.1 million compared to 2022. Regarding the GDP in nominal terms, it was $83,382.4 million, with a growth rate of 9.0% compared to the previous year, which corresponded to an increase of $6,859.9 million.  The increase in GDP in 2023 was driven by the dynamic growth of various sectors of the internal economy such as construction, which registered an increase of 36.7% in the value of construction permits, in addition to the good performance in the wholesale and retail trade sector due to the 7.3% increase in fuel sales.  Positive figures were also recorded in the activity of the manufacturing industry with an increase of 17.7% in concrete production. The slaughter of pigs also grew by 1.0% and poultry by 0.7%, alcoholic beverages by 2.4%, electricity with thermal generation by 95.4%, land transportation with increases in passengers in the Metro by 14.9% and to a lesser extent Mi Bus with 0.1%, runner capacity at 6.4%; Financial services, telecommunications, real estate and business activities, among others, also contributed significantly.

https://www.newsroompanama.com/business/panamanian-economy-grew-73-in-2023

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Roberto Durán Pacemaker Implant a Success

Posted 18/03/2024

ANNOUNCEMENT

The Durán Family, is pleased to announce that thanks to GOD, the operation to our champion Roberto Durán, the "Pacemaker Implant" was a success.  THANKS to all my family, friends and supporters for your prayers. Especially to the medical team for their great Labor.  We will keep you posted. Pictured above, Felicidad Iglesias, wife of Roberto Durán with hubby who has been sending reports the last few days.

https://www.newsroompanama.com/news/roberto-duran-pacemaker-implant-a-success

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Nicaragua Rejects the Panama Decision Regarding Martinelli Safe Passage Exit

Posted 20/03/2024

Nicaragua rejects that the Foreign Ministry denies safe passage to Martinelli.  Nicaragua reiterated to the Panamanian Foreign Ministry its adherence to and compliance with international law to grant asylum to Ricardo Martinelli.  The government of Nicaragua 'categorically' rejected the fact that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Panama  does not recognize the asylum it granted to former President Ricardo Alberto Martinelli Berrocal that denies him the safe passage he requires to leave the national territory of Panama.  Through a note issued by its Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Nicaragua reiterated to the Panamanian Foreign Ministry its adherence to and compliance with international law, especially the Convention on Asylum signed in Havana (Cuba) in 1928 and the Convention on Political Asylum adopted in Montevideo (Uruguay), in 1933 to grant asylum to Martinelli.  Likewise, they state that "not recognizing asylum and denying safe conduct constitutes a violation of the asylum conventions, in particular Article 2, third provision, of the 1928 Asylum Convention, which clearly establishes that the State Government that grants asylum, may demand that the asylum seeker be removed from the national territory within the shortest possible time; an obligation in strict accordance with the Convention that remains unfulfilled by the Republic of Panama."  They also point out that political asylum must be respected as a humanitarian right, in accordance with the conventions that regulate it, which is why Nicaragua reiterates that Martinelli’s asylum has been granted because he considers himself persecuted for political reasons and because his life, physical integrity and security, are at imminent risk. Nicaragua reaffirms its respect for international law and the principle of non-interference in the internal affairs of other States; The granting of asylum to Mr. Ricardo Alberto Martinelli Berrocal is a purely humanitarian matter and is consistent with international law on this matter.

https://www.newsroompanama.com/news/nicaragua-rejects-the-panama-decision-regarding-martinelli-safe-passage-exit-1

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Sharks Confirmed in Panama Waters

Posted 20/03/2024

Scientists on a submarine spotted for first time in Panama, an ‘Atypical’ gathering of ‘rare’ deep-sea predators.  Panama’s first confirmed sighting was a gathering of 10 prickly sharks off the coast of Panama.  Deep underwater, this group of elusive predators gathered quietly but it didn’t go unnoticed.  The scientists recognized these “rare” sea creatures identified as prickly sharks, from a study published March 8th in the peer-reviewed Journal of Fish Biology.  Prickly sharks, scientifically known as Echinorhinus cookei, are an elusive and “solitary” deep-sea species named for the “small” thorny projections that cover their bodies.  These sharks are found throughout the Pacific Ocean.  A photo below shows the pale gray-brown shark.  Researchers spotted 12 prickly sharks in May 2022 during a series of submarine dives to explore the Cordillera de Coiba seamounts, a protected marine area off the western coast of Panama. Two prickly sharks were seen by themselves, and 10 were seen in an “atypical” gathering.  The sharks seemed to have “gathered deliberately rather than coincidentally,” but researchers did not know why.  The deep-sea predators “were mainly observed swimming over rocky habitats” about 1,000 feet underwater.  The sighting was the “first documented record of live specimens of Echinorhinus cookei in Panama”.  Prickly sharks had been seen in the area before, but the sightings were not confirmed.  The recent sightings suggest that the Cordillera de Coiba seamounts might be a “critical habitat” for prickly sharks.

https://www.newsroompanama.com/news/sharks-confirmed-in-panama-waters

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Police had a Busy Weekend

Posted 18/03/2024

Your local Panama police force had a busy weekend.  In the last 72 hours, the security forces together with the Public Ministry managed to arrest 580 people and confiscate $24,568.35 in cash (the legality of this cash could not be justified) and all this being done through the actions of Operation Apolo nationwide.   It was reported that of the arrests, 316 were by trade, 184 for administrative offenses, 58 flagrant crimes, 21 for micro-trafficking and one for drug trafficking.  26 firearms with 269 rounds of ammunition were confiscated, 192 drug packages were grabbed, 5 vehicles were recovered and 2 automobiles were seized.  Additionally, 3 emergency evacuations were carried out and 2,763 foreigners were processed. And you think that you had a busy weekend!!!

POLICE ARREST SEVEN PEOPLE WITH FIREARMS IN VILLALOBOS

National Police units arrested seven people, two of them are minors, for the crime of illegal possession of firearms.  The police action took place in the early hours of Saturday March 16th when the group was traveling aboard a van that fled upon noticing the police presence, which led to a brief police chase.  The suspects threw two pistol-type firearms out of the window, with two magazines and five ammunition, which were recovered after the arrest of those involved.The case was sent to the corresponding judicial authorities to further investigate. 

https://www.newsroompanama.com/news/police-had-a-busy-weekend

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Boquete: Politics in Paradise

Posted 18/03/2024

Eight candidates are competing for the Mayor of Boquete; among them is the current mayor, Joswar Alvarado.  Boquete, the definition of paradise, is nestled between the imposing Central mountain range and the Caldera River.  Despite the countless benefits of this region of the country, the challenges are also evident. Boquete has two seasons: windy season and rainy season.  The wind blows, the rainbows never end, and the bajareque sprinkles both the plants and the residents, in an average temperature of 22 degrees Celsius or 72 degrees Fahrenheit, that heat up to 28 or 82 at times, and overnight cool down to 16 or 61.  Easy numbers to remember if you want to be Celcius/Fahrenheit educated.  All of this is accompanied by the presence of strawberries, flowers, and the intoxicating aroma of coffee, in an environment of invaluable protected ecological areas.  Boquete is coffee country and the tourist capital of Panama.  This vibrant tourist area is in the district of the province of Chiriquí, where natural beauty intersects with the daily life of some 25 thousand inhabitants. 

 

Currently an intense political battle for municipal leadership is taking place. Eight candidates are competing for Mayor of Boquete; among them is the current mayor, Joswar Alvarado.  In addition to Alvarado, who was nominated by Realizing Goals, competing are: Emigdio Walker, candidate of the Democratic Revolutionary Party (PRD); José Montenegro, for the Panameñista Party; Eduardo Rodríguez, from Cambio Democrático (CD); Boris Bloise Navarro, from the Another Path Movement. While, through free nomination, the following are presented: Roberto Sicilia, Luis Rovira from the Vamos Coalition and Tomás Ruiz. 

 

Thus, in the mountains of Boquete, where the valleys are dressed in green and the air is filled with the sweet aroma of coffee and flowers, the political campaign is in full swing. With an electorate of approximately 17 thousand citizens, this paradisiacal corner is preparing to define its destiny in the next five years.  Meanwhile, the current mayor maintains that Boquete's economy and tourism have improved during his term and is seeking re-election to keep these projects in the district. “I believe that the five-year work deserves to continue, since there are still challenges to overcome in terms of aqueducts and waste collection,” he said.

The current Mayor of Boquete Joswar Alvarado

 

https://www.newsroompanama.com/news/boquete-politics-in-paradise