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Disaster Simulation
The Ministry of Government informs the public that the event called III Regional Disaster Response and Humanitarian Assistance Drill IS A PRACTICAL EXERCISE, NOT A REAL SITUATION. This DRILL will evaluate our country's capacity to respond to possible disaster events.
During it, evacuation drills will be carried out in previously selected locations starting at 12:05 noon; beginning on Tuesday, June 13 in schools, hospitals and governmental institutions, which have been previously selected and trained.
The evacuation processes will be under the supervision of members of the Joint Task Force, which will be responsible for guiding the participants in the exercises. Likewise, the communities that have been prepared and trained for six months in the provinces of Chiriqui, Cocle, Darien and Herrera will also participate.
June 13 to 16 will be regular work and school days, so there should be no disruption in the regular development of daily activities. The Joint Task Force has taken the corresponding measures so that the drill does not alter the development of the country's activities.
The event, which will simulate a 7.5 earthquake, a tropical wave, a cyber attack and a biological threat, will have several scenarios of collapsed structures, building fire, oil spill and water rescue. Therefore, we reiterate to all Panamanians that the event IS A PRACTICAL EXERCISE, IT WILL NOT BE REAL, and it will take place in several scenarios in the Republic of Panama.
We urge the population to remain calm and without alterations of any kind, in order to follow the recommendations and guidelines of the experts participating in the event, since the purpose of the DRILL is to test the mechanisms, tools and technical guidelines for emergency intervention in disasters.
The original announcement in Spanish can be found here
https://www.sinaproc.gob.pa/comunicado-iii-simulacro-regional-de-respuesta-a-desastre-y-asistencia-humanitaria/. -
BCP Tuesday Market in the Arco Iris Room
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Firefighters work through the night to control Free Zone fire
Posted 11/01/2023
Firefighters from Panama and Colon fought through the night to control the spread of a major blaze that began at 7 am on Tuesday, January 10, in several warehouses located in France Field, Colon Free Zone (ZLC).
The main problem in mitigating the fire is that the hydrants in the free zone did not have the proper water pressure to fight the blaze in 6 of the 10 ZLC warehouses. The firefighters received the collaboration of the Panama Canal Authority (ACP) and tankers from the National Aqueducts and Sewers Institute (Idaan).
Residents of the Arco Irise community evacuated their homes due to the toxic smoke emanating from the fire.
To quell this incident, the help of firefighters from Sabanitas, Alto de Los Lagos, Davis, the capital city
The road to enter the city of Colón through the corridor road had to be closed and drivers had to use the internal highway of the Arco Iris community or the Margarita road.
https://www.newsroompanama.com/news/firefighters-work-through-the-night-to-control-free-zone-fire
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Woman driver dies on Panama’s Cinta Costera
Posted 09/01/2023
The Public Ministry and the National Police are conducting investigations into a traffic accident at 11 pm Saturday night on the Cinta Costera that claimed the life of a woman.
The driver Kerenly Hernández, 19, was traveling in a white Toyota Fortuner van, which was destroyed as a result of the strong impact. "The Public Ministry is carrying out the corresponding investigations to determine what were the causes that caused the driver to lose control, crossing all the lanes of this road, colliding with the railing and column of the elevated bridge that is in the place," said a police spokesman.
The National Police reiterated the recommendation to drivers to respect speed limits, not use cell phones while driving, and be prudent.
The latest traffic report released in the morning hours of this Sunday revealed that in the last 24 hours, 73 accidents were attended to, leaving a balance of 18 people injured and 1 fatality.
https://www.newsroompanama.com/news/woman-driver-dies-on-panamas-cinta-costera
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State granted appeal in four-year Soho war
Posted 15/09/2022
The State has just scored a point in the battle declared by the merchant Abdul Waked Fares against the National Bank of Panama (BNP), from which it claims compensation of $1,268.7 billion, for alleged damages related to the transfer of what was once, was his Soho Mall reports La Prensa.
On September 7, the Third Chamber of the Supreme Court granted an appeal filed by the Attorney for the Administration, Rigoberto González, and the lawyer Nelson Rojas, on behalf of the Ministry of the Presidency, against the decision of that same chamber to admit Waked Fares' claim for compensation.
The case is four years old. On August 23, 2018, the Third Chamber admitted Waked's claim, in which he argues that he was pressured by the BNP when signing the trust to which he transferred Soho Mall in July 2016, after being included in a sanction list of the Department of the US Treasury, on activities linked to money laundering and drug trafficking. Waked, his son, and several of his partnerships are still on the so-called Clinton List.
Before, the merchant tried a similar maneuver, regarding the trust to which he transferred the Felix chain of stores. However, that claim was rejected on July 3, 2017, because then the Chamber considered that it did not have tenacious jurisdiction to settle this conflict, since it was a private and commercial transaction.
https://www.newsroompanama.com/news/state-granted-appeal-in-four-year-soho-war
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Motorcyclists protest draft law that may ban pillion riders
Posted 06/08/2022
A group of motorcycle riders carried out a protest caravan through the streets of the city of David on Saturday to ask the members of the Communication and Transportation Committee of the National Assembly to withdraw a draft bill that, they said, will harm them. Alerts were raised because it could be prohibited to carry passengers on motorcycles if the bill is approved. Participants in the caravan said they use this type of transport to get to their jobs and other points. It is estimated that around 60,000 motorcycles circulate in Panama. A group of motorcycle riders carried out a protest caravan through the streets of the city of David on Saturday to ask the members of the Communication and Transportation Committee of the National Assembly to withdraw a draft bill that, they said, will harm them. Alerts were raised because it could be prohibited to carry passengers on motorcycles if the bill is approved. Participants in the caravan said they use this type of transport to get to their jobs and other points. It is estimated that around 60,000 motorcycles circulate in Panama. A group of motorcycle riders carried out a protest caravan through the streets of the city of David on Saturday to ask the members of the Communication and Transportation Committee of the National Assembly to withdraw a draft bill that, they said, will harm them. Alerts were raised because it could be prohibited to carry passengers on motorcycles if the bill is approved. Participants in the caravan said they use this type of transport to get to their jobs and other points. It is estimated that around 60,000 motorcycles circulate in Panama.
https://www.newsroompanama.com/news/motorcyclists-protest-draft-law-that-may-ban-pillion-riders
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Corredor Sur closed as Suntracs returns to the streets
Posted 19/07/2022
The National Highway Company (ENA) announced Tuesday the closure of Corredor Sur “for reasons of user safety” and that the presence of National Police agents will continue.
The announcement follows the return to the streets of members of the Single Union of Construction and Similar Workers (Suntracs) to protest government failures and corruption as they close roads in the capital city and in West Panama.
Suntracs is part of the United People's Alliance that will negotiate Tuesday, along with other organizations, with the Government on various national issues such as the cost of living, corruption, and drug prices.
Closures were reported on Calle 50, Punta Pacifica, the Balboa sector, the Corredor Sur, the Centenario road in Merca Panamá, and Justa Arosemena avenue, among other areas.
Closures are also reported in the East Panama sector and the Mi Bus moved to change the route of some buses.
closures are recorded in other parts of West Panama such as Loma Cobá and in the district of Arraiján.
https://www.newsroompanama.com/news/corredor-sur-closed-as-suntracs-returns-to-the-streets
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Police clash with Santiago protestors and clear highway closed for 8 days
Posted 19/07/2022
Police Crowd Control Units and demonstrators who kept the Inter-American highway closed at the Santiago bridge in the province of Veraguas clashed in a strong confrontation that ended with the opening of the main road after more than eight days of closure. The National Police used tear gas to disperse the protesters, and take control of the bridge leading to the city of Santiago.
They also reopened the road in the Atalaya sector, where the protesters kept the four sections of the highway closed. Some responded by throwing blunt objects at the police. A number of people were arrested.
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Indigenous leaders announce indefinite road closures
Posted 19/07/2022
The National Coordinator of the Indigenous Peoples of Panama called for a strike and indefinite closure of the main roads of the Pan-American highway, starting Wednesday, at 7:00 am
Leaders of Coonapip, made up of seven indigenous peoples and their 12 territories, said that the National Government authorities have not promptly addressed the issues that affect the original peoples, such as titling of indigenous territories, eviction of settlers, and invaders, environment, health, and education.
The National Coordinator decreed the measure after the Government failed to attend a meeting scheduled for Tuesday.
They warned that the closures will continue until the Government calls a new meeting with concrete answers to their claims.
Although Coonapip announced that it will participate in the single national dialogue table between the government and various popular sectors, they also demand a separate table for the fulfillment of exclusive issues for indigenous peoples.
https://www.newsroompanama.com/news/indigenous-leaders-announce-indefinite-road-closures
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Suntracs-led protests continue
Posted 18/07/2022
Construction workers affiliated with the Suntracs union closed several points in the country on Monday. From early hours, they blocked the Inter-blockages on the coastal strip (in Costa del Este and Punta Pacifica), on the Ricardo J. Alfaro road, Vía España and Aquilino de la Guardia avenue and Avenida Balboa the South corridor, at Costa del Este. SuAmerican highway, at Arraiján and Howard. There were also closures and protests on Centenario road, in front of Merca Panamá. Users reported ntracs, which is part of the Alianza Pueblo Unidos por la Vida, had announced that it would intensify protest actions. Saúl Méndez, general secretary of Suntracs said: "The leaders in Veraguas have attempted to assume and usurp the representation of all organizations at the national level, which is totally unacceptable.” Sunday night, the National Alliance for the Rights of the Organized People (Anadepo), the organization that started the protests two weeks ago signed a pact with the Cortizo government establishing, the price of gasoline and diesel at $3.25. In exchange, the reopening of all streets was allowed.
https://www.newsroompanama.com/news/suntracs-led-protests-continue-2
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Road closure deal collapses but gas price drops
Posted 18/07/2022
Omar Montilla, Vice Minister of Domestic Trade and Industries announced Monday, that the government will comply with the agreement reached with Anadepo and everyone will be able to go to the fuel stations to fill the tank with gasoline at $3.25 a gallon.
He said that it was unfortunate that the National Alliance for the Rights of the Peoples (Anadepo) has not complied with what was agreed.
He indicated that the representatives of Anadepo were asked, before the signing of the agreement, if they had decision-making power and legitimate representation of the membership, and they said yes.
Hidden agenda
"We are seeing the double agenda, that there is a background that is not fighting for the real needs of the population. We are seeing that there is a hidden agenda to destabilize the Government," Montilla stressed.He assured that the delegation of the National Government will continue negotiating with those groups that wish to achieve alternatives and consensus regarding the issues of fuel, basic basket, and medicines.
Vice President José Gabriel Carrizo announced Sunday night an agreement with the Alliance to set the price of vehicle fuel at $3.25, but also to lift the roadblocks while the issues. related to medicines and the basic basket continue to be discussed at other tables.
Today, Monday, the Anadepo bases announced that they were breaking the agreement with the Government due to some irregularities.
https://www.newsroompanama.com/news/road-closure-deal-collapses-but-gas-price-drops-1
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This is a machine translation: Link to the original article is at the end.
QuoteMás Móvil and Claro to combine their networks in merger to offer better service
Mayela De Sedas |
Wed, 22/06/2022The acquisition of Claro Panama by Cable & Wireless is expected to be completed in the next few days, announced Betzalel Kenigsztein, executive president and general manager of +Móvil.
"We already have everything ready, we are just waiting for the seal of approval to acquire and take control of the company. In the future we are going to consolidate the networks, very close in the next few months. Next year we will migrate customers to a platform to provide a complete and unified service," said Keningsztein.
According to the general manager of +Móvil, "the most important part that Panamanians will feel is the combination of the two networks. Más Móvil's network is the best network in the country, but there are areas where Claro has connectivity and coverage that we do not have. In the next months we are going to combine the two networks and combine a situation where Más Móvil customers will have better coverage and Claro customers will have better coverage than before because the two networks will be combined".
Kenigsztein stated that the bet is "to continue investing in technology, infrastructure and platforms to improve the service".
The businessman reiterated that they will invest more than 500 million dollars. He explained that "the 500 million I mentioned are investments in the network and in technology in the coming years".
Likewise, during the commemoration of the 25th anniversary of +Móvil, of Cable & Wireless Panamá, S.A., Keningsztein added that the company has contributed at least US$9 million to the Panamanian economy in 25 years of operations.
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Panama earns UN award for covid vax program
Posted 24/06/2022
The Government Innovation Authority of Panama (AIG) was awarded by the UN for the innovative tools and solutions implemented for the vaccination process against covid-19, the Government said on Wednesday.
The 2022 United Nations Organization Public Service Award received by the AIG, in the category of "Institutional Resilience and Innovative Responses to the Covid-19 Pandemic", distinguishes the "virtue of public service for the community and its contribution in the development process.
"The distinction given to the AIG for its Vaccination Information System against Covid-19, PanavaC-19, is given on the occasion of the United Nations (UN) Public Administration Day.
https://www.newsroompanama.com/news/panama-earns-un-award-for-covid-vax-program
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After 9 years eight acquitted of premature baby deaths
The CSS hospital where the infant deaths occured.
Posted 24/06/2022
Eight people accused of the deaths of nine premature newborns in 2013 in the Neonatology Room of the Social Security Fund (CSS)were acquitted by The third liquidator judge, Fernando Basurto).
In an edict posted on June 23, the judge communicated his decision to acquit all those investigated on manslaughter charges.
The judge's decision was based on the fact that, in his opinion, there is no link between the defendants and the punishable act, since none of them had direct participation in the treatment received by the newborns.
In addition, it maintains that the evidence presented by the Public Ministry (MP intended to demonstrate the criminal responsibility of the defendants turned out to be insufficient.
The ruling explains that those investigated were accused of allegedly having failed in their duty of care, even though sodium heparin, applied in the treatment of neonates, was a drug duly approved by the Medicines Commission. of the Social Security Fund since 1969, without any warning being made about the content of benzyl alcohol in the medicine, which was updated on several occasions without any warning being made about its use.
During the trial held on April 28, the discharge prosecutor César Pereira requested the conviction of the defendants, alleging that scientific evidence was provided linking the defendants to the crime, who, he said, omitted or failed to comply with the standards of care of the newborns, which caused the death of nine of them and permanent injuries to another five.
In 2017, the then-fifth criminal judge Enrique Paniza called those under investigation to trial, considering that there were strong indications of their possible connection with the illicit investigation.
https://www.newsroompanama.com/news/after-9-years-eight-acquitted-of-premature-baby-deaths-1
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COVID-19: Panama “fairly stable” but authorities continue to worry
Posted 21/04/2022
Health Minister, Luis Francisco Sucre, declared on Thursday, April 21, that Panama is experiencing a “fairly stable” situation regarding Covid-19, but stressed that it is not time for the health authorities to stop worrying about the virus.
Sucre said on TVN that according to the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), after a country remains below 5% positivity, it indicates that the new coronavirus is under control.
Panama experienced this scenario for four or five weeks, however, the positivity rate has increased almost imperceptibly and on Wednesday, April 20, it was registered at 7.4%.
"That takes us out of the area that PAHO has stipulated, however, thank God, Panama continues to evolve," he told TVN News.
He reiterated that the current situation does not cease to worry them as health authorities, but said that in Panamanian health facilities "there are almost no patients."
Sucre stressed that the Panamanian population has continued to use the mask outdoors despite the fact that it is no longer mandatory. "Everyone has to learn to take care of themselves and reduce risks... and know where to use biosecurity measures."
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Panama economic activity up 12.8 % in the first two months
Posted 21/04/2022
The monthly index of economic activity increased of 12.8% in the accumulated period of January and February compared to the same period of the previous year, reports the National Institute of Statistics and Census (Inec).
February is the eleventh month in a row of increases in the monthly activity indicator compared to its similar figures from the previous year, a streak that contrasts with the 12 months in a row of falls registered between April 2020 and March 2021, in the midst of the pandemic.
The Inec reports growth in activities such as construction, commerce, hotels, and restaurants, transport, storage and communications, electricity and water, manufacturing industries, real estate, agricultural and financial intermediation activities, among others.
The president of the Chamber of Commerce, Industries and Agriculture, José Ramón Icaza, said: "The Imae of 12.8% as of February is not surprising, but as the year progresses the rate of growth should slow down because more similar periods will be compared," he said. Regarding the reactivation, Icaza said that it has not been the same for all sectors, highlighting the lag that exists in activities such as tourism.
Economist Felipe Chapman pointed out that last year there was unprecedented growth in the economy that no one expected (15.3%), something he described as good news for the country. On the Imae of the first two months of the year, he said it registers good behavior, also acknowledging that it is compared to the months of 2021 with restrictions.
Shadow of Ukraine
The indicator, however, still does not reflect the consequences of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, which translates into an increase in the prices of fuel, food, fertilizers, and inputs necessary for the economy. This will lead, according to the expert, to a decrease in consumption data and, consequently, a lower speed in the Imae and the gross domestic product.The economist Luis Alberto Morán pointed out that the data to February reflect signs of recovery, and warns that attention should be paid to the lagging and most vulnerable sectors. “At the economic level, the data should lead us to establish policies that also allow the improvement of the labor market, which is still slow.
https://www.newsroompanama.com/business/panama-economic-activity-up-128-in-the-first-two-months
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11 indicted in multi-million-dollar sports scam
Posted 21/04/2022
The anti-corruption prosecutor Leyda Saénz presented before the judicial office of the Accusatory Criminal System of the First Judicial District (SPA) an indictment against 11 people for alleged embezzlement and money laundering through the management of funds assigned to federations sports of the Panamanian Institute of Sports (Pandeportes)
The investigation began on October 30, 2018, as a result of a report by L a Prensa , which reported a series of irregularities in the management of funds and delivery of sports equipment by various sports federations and organizations.
In the indictment, charges were filed against the former deputy of the Panameñista Party, Adolfo Valderrama , accused of money laundering, and the former directors of the Pandeportes Roberto Arango and Mario Pérez were charged for the crime of embezzlement . Embezzlement charges embezzlement charges were also laid against the former manager of the Baseball Federation, Aníbal Reluz, and the president of the Basketball Federation, Jair Peralta.
Other defendants are the former deputy of the Democratic Revolutionary Party , Jaime Pedrol, Jorge Luis Dutary, Ana Virginia Tejada, Beatriz Mercedez Herrera, Ulrich Raúl Ronner Araúz and César Ramsés Tejada.
According to a report from the Comptroller, between the years 2014-and 2018, $59.9 million was delivered between 133 disciplines, foundations, and sports leagues.
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Supreme Court rulings a setback for Martinelli defense
Posted 21/04/2022
In the last 48 hours, Pamama’s Supreme Court of Justice has ruled on two legal appeals filed by lawyers of former President Ricardo Martinelli.
Both edicts constitute setbacks for the defense of Martinelli in lawsuits reports TVN. As stated in edict 464, the plenary session of the Supreme Court of Justice did not admit the action for protection of constitutional guarantees filed by the jurist Carlos Carrillo Gomila against edict No. 21-3054,
through which the First Superior Court of the First Judicial district did not give course to a previous lawsuit filed against Baloisa Marquínez, judge of the case "New Business".
As for the decree 465, the Plenum of the Supreme Court rejected a challenge of proceedings challenging the position taken by the prosecutor Javier Caraballo, who qualified as unconstitutional the decision of the Tribunal Electoral not to lift the electoral jurisdiction to Martinelli claiming the validity of the principle of specialty. The businessman was extradited in 2018.
The decisions of the Supreme Court of Justice occur at a time when the 2024 political campaign is taking shape and Martinelli, in his role as president of the Realizing Goals party seeks to cling to an electoral jurisdiction to avoid his appearance as a defendant. to the hearings scheduled within the “ New Business ” and “ Odebrecht.
https://www.newsroompanama.com/news/supreme-court-rulings-a-setback-for-martinelli-defense
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Collection of signatures to unseat Panama mayor begins with glitches
Posted 20/04/2022
The process of collecting the signatures that support the request to revoke the mandate of the mayor of Panama, José Luis Fábrega, began on Wednesday, April 20 with some technical hitches for those attempting to register online
The activists who promote the initiative are officially authorized to collect 198,920 signatures, in a period of 120 days.
The collection began at 6:00 am, and although the Electoral Court conducted training for the activists in charge of the process, it was the institution's own system that failed in the first instance reports TVN.
From early hours, people stated that the "Revocation of Mandate" space was not enabled, which was
resolved, but later there were problems with the subject of the photo and the video call to verify the identity of the signer.
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71% of Panamanians reject TE decision on Martinelli
Posted 20/04/2022
Some71% of Panamanians questioned by the Gismo Services, SA in a survey, prepared for La Estrella de Panamá, disagree with the decision of the Electoral Tribunal to revoke an earlier decision to lift the electoral criminal jurisdiction of former President Ricardo Martinelli. The survey took a sample of 1,800 Panamanians in all provinces plus the Ngäbe Buglé region and was conducted between April 6 and 10.
Judges Heriberto Araúz (speaker) and Alfredo Juncá endorsed the ruling arguing the existence of the specialty principle, by which the former president was extradited from the United States, so as not to be investigated for crimes other than the case of the punctures, in which Martinelli was found not guilty.
https://www.newsroompanama.com/news/71-of-panamanians-reject-te-decision-on-martinelli
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Supreme Court upholds New Business ruling
Posted 20/04/2022
The Supreme Court has confirmed a decision of the First Court of Justice that did not grant an Amparo of constitutional guarantees presented by former President Ricardo Martinelli in the New Business case, a process that follows the track of the purchase of Editora Panamá América SA presumably with public funds.
The Court endorsed a decision of the First Court of Justice, which in turn upheld the decision of the third judge, liquidator of criminal cases, Baloisa Marquínez, not to accept a controversial incident against the inquiry order issued against Martinelli in the case.
Martinelli's defense argued that Marquínez's decision violated the principle of specialty that he would enjoy and that it would prevent him from being prosecuted for a cause other than the puncture case, from which he was acquitted.
But the ruling, which bears the signature of María Eugenia López, presiding magistrate of the Court, alleges that the alleged principle was invoked in the appeal filed against the decision of the First Superior Court, which did not admit the Amparo, but not so in the incident of controversy resolved by Marquínez.
In addition, it indicates that the Amparo contains incomplete information on the appeals filed before the court and the First Court.
On January 28, Marquínez was forced to suspend the preliminary hearing in this case, because Martinelli claimed to have criminal electoral jurisdiction due to the internal elections of his Realizing Goals party. Then Marquínez asked the Electoral Court (TE) to lift the jurisdiction of the former president, but the TE, through a resolution dated March 22, maintained that protection on the grounds that the accused would be covered by the principle of specialty. This decision of the TE is the subject of two claims of unconstitutionality before the Court, resources that were accumulated in one and whose rapporteur is López.
In turn, Martinelli's defense denounced López before the National Assembly.
https://www.newsroompanama.com/news/supreme-court-upholds-new-business-ruling
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Panama and US sign Letter of Understanding on migration
Posted 20/04/2022
The governments of Panama and the United States announced the signing of a "Letter of Understanding" on Migration Management and Protection of Migrants", in order to take action against the irregular flow of people through the region.
The US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, highlighted that the letter seeks to improve the management of irregular migration, expand stabilization efforts in favor of receiving communities and displaced populations, as well as increase the protection of migrants and their access to legal alternatives.
The document was signed by the Minister of Security of Panama, Juan Pino, and the charge d'affaires of the United States Embassy in Panama, Stewart Tuttle, on Tuesday, April 19.
Blinken, and the US Secretary of Security, Alejandro Mayorkas, participated in the Ministerial Conference on Migration and Protection in Panama.
"This agreement on migration management and protection of migrants is part of the general framework of migration management agreements that the United States is currently developing with its counterparts on the continent," said Blinken.
In mid-March, it was reported that 30% of the 8,456 migrants who crossed the Darién jungle between January and February of this year came from Venezuela.
Last year 62% of migrants were Haitians, however, but in 2022 they represent 13%.
In 2022, Venezuelans displaced Haitians as the irregular migrants who enter the most through the province of Darién on their way to the United States.
https://www.newsroompanama.com/news/panama-and-us-sign-letter-of-understanding-on-migration
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Martinelli uses TE to dodge twin criminal cases
Posted 20/04/2022
Five days after Realizing Goals (RM) will hold its elections to choose the directors of the Secretariats for Women and Youth, the president of that group, Ricardo Martinelli, notified the Electoral Court (TE) of the holding of an extraordinary national congress.
In this way, the criminal electoral jurisdiction that Martinelli currently enjoys, investigated for alleged money laundering in the New Business and Odebrecht cases, could be extended reports La Prensa.
Just one day after a bulletin from the National Directorate of Electoral Organization (DNOE) published the list of voting centers for the election in the two secretariats, next Sunday, April 24, this same entity received a note this Tuesday, signed by Martinelli himself, in which he communicates that the "vacancy" has occurred due to the resignation of several members of the RM board of directors. Therefore, he is convoking an extraordinary congress, whose calendar and regulations have not yet been decided.
Martinelli warns in his note that he is simply notifying about the celebration of these events because, as he states, the DNOE does not have the power to reject or approve the call.
Martinelli avoided the hearing of the New Business process alleging that he had criminal electoral jurisdiction due to his position as president of RM, a party that had scheduled internal elections for next May 24.
The third liquidator judge of criminal cases Baloisa Marquínez asked the TE to withdraw this legal armor, but in a resolution dated March 22, the TE magistrates Heriberto Araúz and Alfredo Juncá decided to maintain the jurisdiction, alleging that Martinelli is protected by the principle of specialty and, consequently, he avoids prosecution in the New Business and Odebrecht cases.
https://www.newsroompanama.com/news/martinelli-uses-te-to-dodge-twin-criminal-cases
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Korean companies play major role in multi-billion metro expansion
Posted 19/04/2022
The Korean consortium HPH Joint Venture, which is building line 3 of the metro, will also design the tunnel that will allow the monorail to cross under the Panama Canal after the earlier choice of an American-led consortium failed to meet the requirements demanded by the Government.
The selection of the group in which Louis Berger LAC participated generated a wave of criticism due to corruption cases in which the firm was mentioned.
In March, the Minister of Public Works, Rafael Sabonge, reported that HPH Joint Venture would be in charge of the construction of the underground section of line 3, which will have an extension of 5 kilometers, and would be in charge of the design and execution of the civil works.
Meanwhile, the civil works of the extension of line 2 to the Tocumen International Airport, are 93% complete and the installation of the railway system 79% advanced.
The 2-kilometer connection with the new passenger terminal cost $150 million and will have a station at the Panama Specialized Higher Technical Institute (ITSE).
The second project executed by the Metro in the capital city is the extension of line 1, from the San Isidro station, to the Villa Zaita sector. The work is the responsibility of the OHL-Mota Engil companies, at a cost of $202.6 million, and is 20% complete.
In the 2.2 kilometers that the project comprises, 85 piles will be built for the viaduct and another 10 for the Villa Zaita Station. The terminal station in Villa Zaita will be connected to a bus and taxi interchange that will have 16 parking docks (and the capacity to serve 8,000 passengers during peak hours.
A total of 2,800 jobs are currently generated by the three projects. Of the three, the largest is line 3, which will connect the Albrook station on line 1 with the City of the Future in Arraiján.
The work has a cost of 2.844 billion and was awarded to the Korean consortium HPH Joint Venture, made up of the companies Hyundai Engineering & Construction Co., Ltd, and Posco Engineering Construction.
The projection of the Metro is that the 'heavy' works related to the tunnel will be carried out within the 54-month period that the Korean group has to build the elevated section. This period would not be enough to install the auxiliary and operating systems, as well as to carry out the tests of the complete line, so the construction time contemplated in the original contract would have to be extended.
Canal tunnel will cost $528.6 million and take 5 years
in Public Infrastructure (Roadways, Signage, Lighting, Parking, Pipelines, High Tension Transmission Lines, Hydroelectric Dams, etc.)
Posted
https://www.newsroompanama.com/news/tunnel-boring-machine-arrives-in-panama