Panama turned down Colombia’s request for extradition of former spy chief Maria del Pilar Hurtado. Hurtado faces charges of criminal conspiracy, illegal wiretapping, diversion of public funds and falsifying documents in Bogota and was granted asylum in Panama in November 2010. Also living in asylum in Panama are former Guatemalan President, Jorge Serrano Elias, former Ecuadoran...
Members of the Ngöbe Bugle indigenous tribe have shut down the Inter American highway in protest since last Tuesday. Protesters say that they will continue until the government restores a mining and hydroelectric project moratorium within their territory. Vice President Juan Carlos Varela has called on the archbishop of David, Jose Luis Lacunza, to step in...
The Government of Panama approved a salary increase for canal workers in response to last week’s Panama Canal expansion labor strike. Executive Decree No. 6 of January 23, 2012 raises minimum salary from $2.90 a hour to $3.34 an hour for general laborers and increases skilled labor pay by 12.5 percent. Raises only apply...
Police say 150 indigenous people attacked the Changuinola station in Bocas del Toro early Sunday morning. The incident reportedly occurred after a tumultuous brawl closed down a local bar. According to the police report, the indigenous people then proceeded to throw rocks, stones and blunt objects at the police station, causing thousands in damages....
Raymond Mabus, Secretary of the U.S. Navy, arrives in Panama today for a three-day visit. Secretary Mabus is in town to discuss issues of maritime security and U.S. Navy port visits and Panama Canal passage. He also plans to meet with the crew of the USS Ingraham, which pulled into Panama on January 6...
