Prosecutors are investigating the possible participation of the current director of the National Police in the abduction of several civilians during the U.S. invasion of Panama. Panama's Attorney General is trying to dig deeper into news reports published on the subject about two weeks ago. Attorney General Giuseppe Bonissi summoned journalist Alexis Charris Palacios of the La Estrella newspaper in an attempt to uncover additional evidence in the case. Another journalist, Santiago Cumbrera of the Panama America, was also summoned by the prosecutor. However, thus far there has not been any official statement made in the press by National Police Chief Gustavo Perez on the case. However, the case file contains a letter sent to the Attorney General by Rodolfo Moreno, the Secretary General of the Police, in which he assures Attorney General Bonissi that there are no documents in the archives of the National Police related to the matter. Moreno served as the Acting Director of Police during the first week of March while Gustavo Perez was in Israel. As soon as Perez returned from his trip, the government employees who used to work in the archives section of the National Police were transferred to Colon, in a move that has not been explained by the institution. This is not the first administrative step that calls attention to the police. At the same time the "Perez File" became public, police commissioner Jaime Ruiz, the Deputy Director, was sent to Costa Rica for one year. (Source - La Estrella)   

By DON WINNER for Panama-Guide.com - With 40 votes in favor and 15 against, Panama's National Assembly approved a tax reform package this afternoon. This proposal was put forward by the Ministry of Economy and Finance, and it will now go to President Ricardo Martinelli for signature. All this week there has been heated discussion over this tax reform, with the government arguing that the new tax structure will force those with more money to pay more, while reducing the tax burden of those who make less. An increase in the ITBMS sales tax from 5% to 7% was included in this package.

Copyright 2009 by Don Winner for Panama-Guide.com. Go ahead and use whatever you like as long as you credit the source. Salud.   

Located just over an hour from Panama City, the Vista Mar Golf and Beach Resort is an exclusive beach resort development on Panama's Pacific coast. Built around a 6,800 yard par-72 Championship golf course, Vista Mar's spectacular ocean front location provides magnificent ocean views from most areas of the resort. Vista Mar offers a variety of recreational activities making it a unique place to relax and entertain. Beautiful landscaping, gorgeous sunsets and ocean breezes combine with modern home and condominium designs to ensure Vista Mar Resort will be a preferred destination for years to come. (more)   Click Here To Read The Full Article (1,871 words)

"We all hope they would reach concrete results (...) but to say the documents did not appear and settle for that I find extremely sensitive," said Guido Rodríguez - editor of the Panama America newspaper, in a statement made on Channel 13 Telemetro Reporta, in speaking about the investigation into Gustavo Perez, after the Panama America published a report involving the current Director of the National Police with irregular activities. Rodriguez said that in the investigation into Perez's involvement with the alleged kidnapping and persecution of American citizens there are summonses which have not been made. "If there is a document that is posted on the website of Panama America, which has been corroborated by sources belonging to the former defense forces of the former National Police, it is logical that Attorney General Giuseppe Bonissi should conduct a visual inspection of the files of the National Police, and at least call to declare the people who signed the resolution, because it is known who they are," he said. The editor said this opinion is not only held by the newspaper, but it is also shared by people who are experts in criminal law. Yesterday, 11 March, journalist Santiago Cumbrera - who appears as the author of the news article - was summoned by the prosecutor to give evidence about his writing. Guido Rodriguez said that according to similar experiences, they instructed the reporter that during his testimony he should take advantage of the benefits provided by Laws Number 22 and 29 of June 2005, which establish and confirm the reservation of the source, because the questions being asked referred to how he obtained the information. The director of the Panama America reiterated that the evolution of the case "is not being provided in accordance with what should be an investigation as sensitive as this that affects the head of an institution in which all Panamanians have put their hopes in these times when there is a wave of violence that we all regret." (Source - Panama America)   

Officers from the Panamanian National Naval Air Service (SENAN) seized at least 1,600 kilos of cocaine from a boat that washed up on shore at the Chiquita beach in the upper coast of Colon. The cocaine was found in a 42 foot long boat with four 200 horsepower outboard engines, according to a Senan press release. During the chase the people who were traveling on the boat threw several bags of cocaine into the water, said the report. (Source - La Prensa)

Editor's Comment: There are all kinds of stories in Panama of people who find bundles of cocaine washed up on the beach. A person who has been dirt poor all of their life suddenly has the money to tear down their old shack, put up a new cement two-story building, buy a nice SUV, etc. When they find these bundles what people typically do is hide them, then they make contact with a local drug trafficker to negotiate for a reward or finder's fee. There will be lots of people walking the beaches tonight, that's for sure. And this bust of 1,600 kilos converts to just over 1.7 tons, and this cocaine would have a US street value of more than $160 million dollars.   

Looking for something to do tomorrow night? "GRAPEVINE, Texas -- They say everything is bigger in Texas, and Top Rank promoter Bob Arum thinks big. So it seemed only natural that Arum, along with his new best buddy, Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, would get together to put on a fight at Jones' spectacular $1.2 billion Cowboys Stadium in Arlington. That is where welterweight titleholder and pound-for-pound king Manny Pacquiao will face former titleholder Joshua Clottey on Saturday night in a fight that Arum considers one of the crowning achievements of his storied 44-year career as a boxing promoter." If you're here in Panama City you should come watch the fight, live and in English at the Superbook VIP Sports Club. There will be drink specials, such as all national (Panamanian) beer 6 for $7, Miller, Miller Chill, Budweiser, and Heineken all 6 for $11 bucks. And new for the Superbook, there are now video slot and poker machines available, and of course only at Superbook you can bet on the fight and get paid on the spot if your guy wins. If you're hungry you can satisfy that growling stomach with something from our ever-expanding menu. Boxing, drink specials, food, zooks of huge-screen TV's, and slots at the Superbook - what more could you ask for? And remember at Superbook - Bet Today Get Paid Today. Hey, I'm bettin' on the guy with the Panama hat...



   

By DON WINNER for Panama-Guide.com - Received today via email: "Alex Humphrey went missing in August 2009 in Boquete in Chiriqui province not far from the Costa Rican border in Panama. Detailed searches were carried out by SINAPROC, the search and rescue team and shortly afterwards, the family made two visits to distribute posters, make TV and radio appeals and arrange for the offer of a reward for information. Alex was active in the Arts scene in Manchester, England where he lived. He was a poet, an aspiring dramatist and sometime stand-up comic. In January, several of his friends organised an Arts Evening which was attended by over 200 people. The entertainment ranged from a classical quartet to burlesque dancers, with poetry, comedy and much else besides. Several local businesses gave prizes for raffles. Many people said that Alex would really have enjoyed the evening and that ‘they did him proud.’ Alex’s family decided to split the proceeds between the school for children with learning difficulties where Alex worked and the Hogar Trisker orphanage on the road between David and Boquete, which Alex must have passed before he went missing. On their recent visit, Gill, Alex’s mother and Martin his elder brother, handed over $250 as a first instalment, to Bob Moyle, from the local Rotary Club who currently manages the orphanage. We have today received an e-mail to say that the money has been spent on black shoes for school for 14 girls, and a contribution towards the fund to re-open a well on the property so that they always have a safe water supply. The family hopes to be able to send more money out shortly. Bob Moyle: aquilaii@juno.com, Andrea Wren organised the event: andrea.wren@gmail.com, Assorted pictures and text at : Desperately seeking Alex on Facebook."

Copyright 2009 by Don Winner for Panama-Guide.com. Go ahead and use whatever you like as long as you credit the source. Salud.    

Lane James Lloit, a 55 year old US citizen, was found dead in the International Hotel in Colon. The authorities are investigating to determine if there was a criminal hand in his death. The hearse was located at the rear of the hotel so as to not attract the attention of those who were passing by the street where the hotel is located. A source involved in the investigation said a syringe with heroin was found in room 102, and that the deceased had a head injury. Presumably he could have died from a drug overdose. (Source - La Critica)

Editor's Comment: The Panamanian newspapers very often get the name wrong in these initial reports. The person's name might be "Lane James Lloit" however I suspect the last name might be "Elliot" or "Elliott" or something like that. In addition they also frequently get first-middle-last name wrong. For example, there's a guy named Elliot J. Lane who's a lawyer in Hartford, Ct (and, I hope he's just fine.) Anyway, I'll follow up to either confirm or correct the identification of this person. If anyone knows this person, please contact me via email - don@panama-guide.com - thanks.   

The Superbook VIP Sports Club - Panama's premier sportsbook - announces our new super lunch specials available every Monday through Friday from 12:00 noon until 2:00 pm. Come by and enjoy all your favorites from Spaghetti Tuesdays to Fish Friday's for only $3.95 including soda! Superbook has recently completed all remodeling with new couches and chairs to go along with the new tv's. All additions have been made with the customers comfort in mind, so hurry by the Superbook to enjoy our daily lunch specials, and remember "Play Today - Get Paid Today!"    

You do not want to miss the March 24 Expat's West Mixer at El Rincon de Chef! Please click on this link to RSVP. Once again we will be dancing the night away after a wonderful meal from Chef Fernando. Only this month it's not salsa, no it's not line dancing...... IT'S DISCO!!! And you thought Disco was dead!! Well not at Expat West! We will be joined by such favorites as Donna Summer, The Bee Gees, Michael Jackson, KC and the Sunshine Band and many more. You've got two weeks to practice your John Travolta moves. (Yes, we expect to see them!!) Come and join us as we shake our booties and dance the night away to all those tunes you still know the words to! We are very pleased to announce that Chef Fernando is presenting an ITALIAN styled menu this month. You can view the full menu on our events calendar. Once again if you will be eating at Rincon del Chef please complete the RSVP form on our website so that Chef can be prepared accordingly. A big thank you again to all those that did utilize the RSVP form last month. Prize sponsors this month are: - $25 gift certificate from Panama Roadrunner Security Transport - Dinner for 2 at La Carreta by the Restaurant - A lovely surprise by VIP Insurance - And you just never know what is in Playacommunity’s hat. Please join us this month for a fun evening, the opportunity to meet new people and to catch up with old friends. Remember to come and meet me at the Playacommunity table in order to obtain your door prize tickets. Get down!!!! Linda van Dyk http://www.playacommunity.com   

About 21 families were affected by a fire yesterday morning in an old wooden house, number 3026, located on 12th Street and Domingo Diaz in Colon. At 11:00 am residents saw smoke coming out of a room and raised the alarm, yelling "Fire! Fire! The house is on fire!" Luisa Torres, a witness, said luckily they were able to remove some of their belongings and the speedy arrival of the firefighters prevented even more families from becoming homeless, despite the lack of water. The Commander of the Fire Department of Colon, Leonardo Roman, said they used six trucks to put out the fire, and they were forced to use sea water, preventing serious consequences. Representatives from the Ministry of Housing and Land Management (Miviot) will make an assessment of the property through their Department of Social Services to undertake repairs. The Representative from the Southern District, Alex Lee, and the Deputy Mayor of the District, Rosa Vasquez, also arrived on the scene to provide support and assistance to the ten families who were left homeless by the fire, and the eleven families whose houses were damaged by water. The National Police guarded the scene to prevent the intrusion those who were not owners. (Source: Mi Diario)   

Panama's President Ricardo Martinelli said today the recent murders in the country can not continue. He told local media his government is going to stop these killers, be they adults or minors. Martinelli said the murderers will "go to jail" and the full weight of the law will be applied to them. "We've had enough of this, that they are killing people and it goes unpunished," he added. (Source: La Prensa)

Editor's Comment: The government is going to take several actions to allow for longer jail sentences. For example, they would allow multiple sentences to be applied to run consecutively instead of concurrently, and therefore people convicted of multiple crimes in different cases could be sent to prison for as long as 50 years. Last night Martinelli also floated some trial balloons, saying that issues such as life imprisonment or the possibility of a death sentence could be issues put forward for a popular vote by means of a plebiscite. The public is calling for a crackdown, and at this point they appear more than willing to give up some personal freedoms in exchange for greater internal security.    

The entire staff of the Archives Department of the National Police was transferred on Tuesday to work in Colon. It is suspected this action was taken as retaliation for the leaking to the press of a copy of the file of the current Chief of the National Police, Gustavo Perez, in which a disciplinary board recommended a dishonorable discharge in March of 1990. (Source - La Estrella)

Editor's Comment: And thus it begins. In my estimation this move was a huge strategic error on the part of Gustavo Perez. As I have predicted in the past, Gustavo Perez is currently in the process of changing or morphing from an asset for Panamanian president Ricardo Martinelli, into a political albatross. Obviously this action to transfer administrative workers of the National Police - the entire staff of the archives section where the notorious memo from 1990 was stored - to work in Colon was a punitive action on his part. Punitive, as in punishment. No trial, no hearing, just make an arbitrary decision and issue the order. Sending someone who lives in Panama City to work in Colon is kinda like being ordered to the Western Front. When you screw up, you're sent to Siberia, like that. And, since Gustavo Perez doesn't know who leaked the memo he's apparently assuming it had to have been someone who worked in that office, so transfer them all. In other words, shoot them all and let God sort them out. In my humble opinion this appears to be an action taken by a man desperate to hide the truth and facts of the case, and to run from his own past. If he has nothing to hide and if he wants to cooperate fully with any investigation, then why does he have to make the lives of these people more difficult? Again, I don't see how Gustavo Perez can survive this scandal politically speaking. And after the news today, I think the fuse is burning and that sooner or later Ricardo Martinelli will be forced to cut him loose, "like a bad 'chute." It's only a matter of time. The only remaining question - how long will it take? This headline today didn't help Gustavo Perez, at all.   

A gang of robbers suspected of targeting tourists in Panama was dismantled in the area of Concepción. The two men were aboard a Nissan XTrail pickup truck that had special license plates to provide luxury service to tourists, said Captain Rios of the Juan Diaz police station. He said the "individuals were arrested with a gun and six rounds of live ammunition." According to the information, the men who were arrested passed themselves off as taxi drivers at the Tocumen International Airport, where they identified their intended victims in order to rob them of their belongings on the Southern Corridor. (Source - Panama America)    

By DON WINNER for Panama-Guide.com - Jerry Ray Hall has established a gonzo website in an attempt to continue his slanderous lies and attacks against myself and the others in Panama who have unmasked him for the fruitcake that the is. However, it takes a special kind of lunatic to fabricate horrendous lies about someone, such as trying to say my friend Clyde Jenkins is a pedophile. On his website Jerry Ray Hall has placed the words "Clyde Jenkins Conviction For crime with a child" above this photo:

But You Can't Read That, Right? Of course not, you're not supposed to be able to read it. I downloaded the image and zoomed in, and you can see it came from the Sex Offender's Registry in the state of West Virginia. When you go to that registry and do a search, you find a record for a 46 year old, 210 pound white male named CLYDE FREDERICK JENKINS JR. You can see that record for yourself, and I've included a screenshot below:

That's Not Our Clyde: In case you had any lingering doubts, I've posted a photo of "our" Clyde Jenkins that I took during a walkabout in Casco Viejo below.

The Truth Bothers Jerry Ray Hall: Yes, there happens to be a man named Clyde Jenkins in West Virginia who is a sex offender, and the "Doctor of Fake" Jerry Ray Hall knows full well that this is not the same man as Clyde Jenkins who lived in Panama, however in true "scumbag" form he's trying to twist reality in order to do as much damage as possible to his cyber-enemy. This kind of trick is the worst stunt anyone can pull in my opinion. When faced with the truth and facts, the nut-job Jerry Ray Hall creates vicious lies and slander about his enemies, with no regard whatsoever for the potential consequences. As a man who (falsely) claims to be a conservative Christian, this is truly despicable conduct. I have no idea how anyone could stand to be in the same room as this man. I hope that by now the entire community of English speaking expatriates in Panama knows exactly who and what he is. Anyone who supports his actions in anyway should be ashamed of themselves. He's crazy and dangerous.

Copyright 2009 by Don Winner for Panama-Guide.com. Go ahead and use whatever you like as long as you credit the source. Salud.   

By Inti Landauro - PANAMA CITY (Dow Jones)--After weathering the financial and economic crisis that crippled global trade, the Panama Canal expects to see a modest rise in revenue this year as the recovery takes time to filter through to the shipping industry. "This year will be flat, it will be very similar in terms of volume," Alberto Aleman, the chief executive of the Panama Canal Authority said in an interview. "We are seeing the same tonnage." The Canal's revenues fell to $1.96 billion in the fiscal year 2009--which ran from October 2008 to September 2009--down from $2.01 billion in 2008. The forecast for this year is $2.02 billion, Aleman said. The canal's net profit will probably fall to around $960 million from $1.01 billion in 2009 and $1.03 billion in 2008. Despite the world economy's recovery, the canal's business will take time to pick up, Aleman said. The shipping industry always lags the rest of the economy as orders take several weeks to reach ports, and it takes companies time to get enough confidence to increase inventories, Aleman said. The canal's fiscal year also includes the fourth quarter of 2009, when a recovery wasn't obvious in countries trading through the canal.   Click Here To Read The Full Article (350 words)

The Democratic Revolutionary Party (PRD) presented this afternoon before the Supreme Court a complaint of unconstitutionality against the appointment of the replacement Attorney General, Giuseppe Bonissi. The demand of the opposition party establishes that Bonissi's appointment violated the precepts established in the Constitution of Panama. The President of the PRD party, Francisco Sanchez Cardenas, said this action was filed over the way Bonissi was appointed which violated the Constitution, because the figure of "Deputy Prosecutor" does not exist. "However, they used this action in violation of the Constitution and appointed a deputy," said Sanchez Cardenas according to a press release. (Source: La Prensa)

Editor's Comment: Considering the Supreme Court removed Ana Matilde Gomez from her position, I doubt this PRD complaint will get far.   

Another victim falls to the criminals. Daniel Alberto Carrizo, 19, was washing his car in the parking lot in front of his house when he as jumped by four young men bearing firearms. The criminals took Daniel through the door of the laundry and subsequently entered the house, where there were five more members of the family. All had their hands tied and they were thrown to the floor. This assault occurred at 8:30 pm on Monday evening in Hato Pintado, when all of the members of this family had returned from their jobs and college. Two of the criminals went upstairs and started filling bags with the property they intended to steal. The other two were guarding the hostages, to whom they said they would not do anything. Within minutes, officers of the National Police arrived at the house. Upon arriving and seeing the water running from the hose and the doors hanging open they decided to enter. That was when one of the robbers saw the policemen and there was an exchange of fire, in which Daniel was shot in the head. Two of the criminals were shot in the legs. One is Gil Ernesto Gonzalez, 19, and the other is a 16 year old minor. Both had 9mm handguns. The other two are fugitives. Max Lopez, a close family friend, asks that justice be done and they do not want what happened in this household to happen to another family, it is a very painful loss. Alejandro, David's brother, who still had the marks on his wrists from where he was tied up, described Daniel as an obedient young man who was studying marketing at the USMA, attended church and helped his father at work. The young man's funeral will be tomorrow at 11:00 am Christian House of Prayer in Santa Elena. (Source: Dia a Dia)   

The director of the Penitentiary System, Diomedes Kaa, said the National Sports Institute (Pandeportes) will give the opportunity for inmates to participate in the repair of sports grounds, in a program similar to the one managed by the Ministry of Education. Kaa said inmates must meet certain requirements, including having served two-thirds of their sentence. When asked about the new perimeter fence at the La Joya prison, he said in the coming days it should be 100% operational, upon completion of training. He also confirmed approval has been granted for the construction of a new prison and that soon they would be accepting bids so that hopefully by August they would have a firm plan for the construction of this new facility, which will house about 5,500 inmates. (Source: La Critica)

Editor's Comment: The inmates love these kinds of programs. It gives them the opportunity to get out of the prison for awhile, and only inmates on good behavior with no record of problems while incarcerated are selected to participate. The biggest enemy in a Panamanian prison is boredom, at least for those inmates who are locked up with other non-violent offenders. Anyone who criticizes this program has probably never set foot inside of La Joya. The inmates there would do anything to be able to get out for a day for a change of scenery and some fresh air - even if that includes having to do things like cutting the grass, painting a backboard, or what have you. And besides, you get to see chicks on the street from the bus...    

Public consultations could represent a cost to the state of $8 million dollars, confirmed yesterday Raul Mulino, the Minister of Government and Justice. His remarks came after a meeting between the Minister of the Presidency Jimmy Papadimitriu, the Minister of Government and Justice Jose Raul Mulino, Rómulo Roux of Canal Affairs, the Vice Minister of the Presidency María Fábrega, and the justices of the Electoral Tribunal to learn what is needed in order to hold this kind of public consultation. Although Mulino said he still does not have a specific plan, they are evaluating the costs associated with the last referendum on the Panama Canal, which was about $8 million dollars. It was learned that after the meeting, they intended to present a report to president Ricardo Martinelli to explain the results of the meeting with the judges of the Electoral Tribunal, and to create a proposal for a bill that will be presented to the National Assembly to begin shaping the popular consultations. The meeting came after an announcement made by Martinelli on Sunday, 7 March, regarding the participation of Panamanians in a plebiscite or referendum in forums, surveys and momentous issues. Martinelli launched the proposal as a means of obtaining the views of the people who will decide what action should be taken to seek the best solutions to major issues in the country. Through public consultations, regional or national issues could be addressed, and then it would fall to the Executive branch to call for the election and to the Electoral Tribunal to regulate and oversee the voting, said the Ministry of the Presidency. According Papadimitriu, they still have not defined what issues will be included as part of the plebiscite to be discussed between the people and the executive, nor has an exact date been fixed to hold the first vote, but he said the opinion of the people is the most important thing. (Source: El Siglo)   

The first "Red Devil" bus repaired by students from the National Institute of Vocational Training for Human Development (INADEH) was delivered Wednesday to the Ministry of Education (MEDUCA). The elementary school in 24 de Diciembre is the beneficiary of the donation, where they will now use this bus to transport students. Edilma Coronado, the Director of the school, thanked the authorities for this assistance which will save money and time for parents and students. Meanwhile, the Minister of the Presidency, Jimmy Papadimitriu, was satisfied with the "exorcism performed on this red devil," and at the same time he thanked INADEH thanked for this bus and the work they will do in the future. Papadimitriu said they have yet to deliver two more buses that are ready, but the Minister of Education, Lucy Molinar, must choose the schools where the buses will be delivered. For his part, the Director of INADEH, Themistocles Rosas, said the repairs for each bus cost less than $2,000 dollars. (Source: TVN Noticias)

Editor's Comment: Right now private bus owners are required by law to transport school children at 10 cents per head. In fact when the bus drivers see a bus stop packed full of school students they will just drive right by and not stop because they don't want their buses filled with kids who don't pay as much, and who have a tendency to tear up seats, mark things up with graffiti, etc. The government plans to eventually remove all of the old "Diablo Rojo" buses from the streets and to replace them with the new "Metro Bus" system. These buses will be government owned and operated by a contractor. The old school buses are being repaired by the INADEH students as practical training and experience in the field of mechanics, and the buses are being donated free of charge to the schools. So, sooner or later all of the "Diablo Rojo" buses will turn into "Diablo Amarrillo" - once they are painted yellow and pressed back into service as school buses once again. It's a good plan, as long as the school buses are operated in an responsible manner. It's ironic that these buses started life as school buses, came to Panama for general public transportation, and now they are being pressed back into service once again for schools.    

Italy plans to formalize a donation that will allow for the construction of a new children's Hospital in Santiago, Veraguas. In view of this action, an Italian commission headed by Vice Minister of Economic Development and International Trade, Adolfo Urso, met with health authorities in Panama. This hospital will be a pediatric specialty center. Italy's decision to donate this medical surgical center came as a result of Ricardo Martinelli's visit to the European country. The Foreign Ministry said the grant will be formalized by the Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini, who will visit Panama in May of this year. (Source: Telemetro Reporta)   

For all of those people who have never tried sushi because they don’t like the taste of raw fish, you’re in luck. Veneto’s Sushi Lounge, known as one of Panama City’s top sushi bars has a new special, with a local taste, no seafood included! The Sushi Lounge is proud to announce 3 new Panamanian style sushi rolls, with a twist of local flavors! Imagine having chicken and plantain, skirt steak, or chorizo and chopped pork all with local herbs and spices, mixed and rolled for your delight.

Panamanian Roll – Shredded Chicken & Plantain

Parillero Roll – Skirt Steak & Onion topped with Chimichurri Sauce

De Interior Roll – Chopped Pork & Chorizo Sausage

These three new rolls can be found exclusively at Veneto’s Sushi Lounge Open from 10:00 AM – 1:00 AM, so don’t to pass on this opportunity to sample these creative and delicious sushi rolls. Below is a video of these sushi rolls being presented on the Travel Panama television program on Channel 45.

   

Panama's Minister of Government and Justice, Jose Raul Mulino, predicted additional clashes with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) due to the drug trafficking activities related to this group, and said the country will need more resources to combat crime. In an interview with Acan-Efe, the minister warned also of the "tentacles" of Mexican drug cartels in the region and acknowledged the infiltration of Panamanian institutions by elements of organized crime related to drug trafficking, which according to unofficial estimates move about 250 tons of cocaine through Panama every year. "I predict this year we could see more confrontations. It's important to point out that these conflicts are occurring within our national territory ... they do not mean we are interfering in the internal armed struggle in Colombia, these things do not happen within the borders of Colombia," said Mulino. Panamanian border guards engaged in a confrontation in January 2010 with FARC guerrillas, resulting in the deaths of three insurgents and the arrest of two more. Last week four more FARC guerrillas were arrested. The minister said security and vigilance has been increased in the Darien province, which borders Colombia, and he pointed to the creation of four new aero-naval bases by the end of this year - and that two of them are already working - to impede the transit of drugs. "Before, there were no clashes within our territory (...) simply because (the Panamanian forces) were not patrolling," he said, in highlighting the border area between Panama and Colombia "is the commercial and financial front of the FARC. From this side, the Panama side of the border, towards the Pacific ocean," he added. (more)   Click Here To Read The Full Article (412 words)

Former President Ernesto Pérez Balladares declared a net worth of $10 million dollars when he took office in 1994. In 2000, a year after leaving office, his personal net worth increased to at least $20 million dollars, in money held in at least eleven bank accounts and real estate. Of that amount, $9,558,000 was not declared by Perez Balladares when he left the office of President in 1999. This is indicated by a preliminary audit ordered by the then-Comptroller, Alvin Weeden, on 20 November 2003, to which this newspaper (La Prensa) had access. The audit found this money held by Perez Balladares in less than three months of investigation by auditors and accounting technicians. The audit found at least $20,828,000 in US dollars of money and assets making up the net worth of Ernesto Perez Balladares as of 31 August 2000, just over double the $10 million dollar figure he declared when he assumed office as President in September 1994. Part of that money was not included in the statement the former president signed on 16 September 1999, after having left office. The estimated net worth of the former head of state becomes relevant, considering Perez Balladares described the $5 million dollar bail established by the Second Tribunal in the money laundering investigation being carried out against him as "unfair." (more)   Click Here To Read The Full Article (941 words)

(EFE) Colombian, U.S., Panamanian and Honduran authorities seized more than two tons of cocaine off Panama and Honduras, and arrested eight suspects, a high-level Colombian drug enforcement official said Tuesday. The seizure was made during joint interdiction operations conducted by the United States, Panama and Colombia, acting drug enforcement agency director Col. Jose Angel Mendoza said. The 2.3 tons of cocaine were found Monday afternoon aboard two speedboats on the high seas. The simultaneous operations, which were carried out in the Atlantic and Pacific, resulted in the arrests of eight Hondurans and Colombians. The first operation was undertaken in international waters off Honduras, ending with the seizure of a speedboat carrying 1.53 tons of cocaine. Four Hondurans were arrested in a joint interdiction operation by the U.S. Coast Guard and the Honduran navy. The second phase of the operation was executed simultaneously in the Pacific off Panama, where the U.S. Coast Guard intercepted a speedboat. The speedboat was carrying 760 kilos of cocaine, and the four Colombians aboard were arrested.   

BY KATIE DEROSA, CANWEST NEWS SERVICE - A Victoria man and a foreign national have been arrested and charged in relation to a sophisticated cocaine smuggling operation uncovered in Port Hardy this weekend. The two men were arrested at Port Hardy dock early Saturday morning after they raised police suspicions by providing false information about their vessel. Officers with the RCMP Federal Drug Enforcement Branch said they seized "a significant amount" of cocaine, but the branch spokesman Staff Sgt. Dave Goddard could not say how much. The men are each charged with one count of possession for the purpose of trafficking. A large contingent of heavily armed officers with the drug enforcement branch, an RCMP tactical team and a police dog unit swarmed the boat and arrested the two men aboard. The 39-year-old Victoria man is known to police, Goddard said, adding that this was a sophisticated operation, with cocaine being imported from another country. Goddard could not say where the 38-year-old foreign national is from. Mark Proulx, maritime co-ordinator at the Victoria Joint Rescue Co-ordination Centre, said it appeared the boat was from Panama but Goddard could not confirm that. The men will remain in custody until their appearance in Victoria provincial court Friday. Police are not releasing their names until the court date.   

A small group of construction workers of the Sole Union of Construction Workers and Allies closed Ave Frangipani this afternoon. The protest began at noon. In responding to the situation, the Land Transit and Transportation Authority advised drivers to use alternate routes. (Source - La Prensa)

SUNTRACS Lunchtime Mini Protests: The construction workers who are members of the SUNTRACS labor union like to pull these little "mini" lunchtime demonstrations from time to time. They get a short break in the middle of the day for lunch, so they will all come down out of the building they are working on, waving red flags, and block traffic for about ten to fifteen minutes. By the time the police respond the demonstration is over. They made their point, so they just go back to work. Traffic gets screwed up a little bit but it dissipates quickly once the mini-strike is over. They do these just to remind the government that they have workers spread out all over the city and if they wanted to they could cause real havoc. Striking, protesting, and blocking roads are their primary weapons.   

The director of the Direction of Judicial Investigation, Javier Carrillo, said about 900 firearms were reported as lost or stolen in 2009. Carrillo was concerned, because these weapons are being used by criminals to commit crime. He called on judicial authorities to be more forceful with cases in which the use of a stolen firearm is detected. (Source - La Critica)