Panama Political News

Panama braces for Noriega release

The 1989 U.S. invasion that ousted dictator Manuel Noriega opened this small nation's road to greater democracy and prosperity. Now Panama is bracing for his possible return, and the likelihood that he will spend little time behind bars.

Panamanians hope to keep Noriega away

The 1989 U.S. invasion that ousted dictator Manuel Noriega opened this small nation's road to greater democracy and prosperity. Now Panama is bracing for his possible return, and the likelihood that he will spend little time behind bars.

Colombian indigenous culture flourishes again in Panama

A year after they fled Colombia, 11 families of the Wounaan indigenous group are beginning to feel safe again in Panama. After months of wandering, the 47 individuals last December became the first indigenous group to be granted refugee status in Panama. They have found a home in the small Vista Allegre river settlement in the Darien Gap – a large swath of undeveloped swampland and jungle separating Panama and Colombia.

Panama to be UN regional head quarters

Panama will become the United Nations' regional headquarters for Latin America and the Caribbean, Nils Kastberg, the regional director of the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF) told reporters on Monday.The regional headquarters will be located in the new City of Knowledge, being build in the former Howard Military Base, on which the Panama government has spent two million U.S. dollars for the first stage of re-development.

Jayakumar to visit Panama

SINGAPORE: Deputy Prime Minister Professor S Jayakumar is making a six-day official visit to Panama and Cuba from 7 to 12 May. He will be leading a team of businesses to explore opportunities in the emerging markets of Latin America. Panama is currently Singapore's largest trading partner in Latin America with bilateral trade amounting to S$4.3 billion last year.