Latest in Panama: a strange alien-like animal discovered in Cerro Azul, Noriega as to be pardoned
|
|
 —Advertisement—————————–
Written by one of the leading experts on real estate and relocation issues in Panama, the Panama 101 – E-Book Guide To Living and Investing in Panama, 2009 Edition gives you the critical information you need to make educated lifestyle and investment decisions. Over 140 pages packed with detailed, insider knowledge that took years to acquire… can be yours in a matter of minutes. Preview the E-book, click here! |
Dear Panama E-Letter Subscribers:
Latest in Panama: a strange alien-like animal discovered in Cerro Azul, Noriega as to be pardonedBy Matt Atlee
It was reported this week in Panama that there were more deaths from poisoned cough medicine in 2006 than previously thought. It was in 2006 that a Chinese company sold to a Spanish company who sold to a Panamanian company who sold to a Panamanian government laboratory, diethylene glycol, a poisonous substance normally found in antifreeze and break fluid. The Panamanian government thought they were buying pure 99.5% glycerin which is used as a thickener and sweetener in many medicines. The government reported that a 116 people died because they were poisoned by the tainted medicine, but it now looks as if the official number might be more like 1,000. Many officials in the Panamanian government would like to set a curfew on how late bars and nightclubs can stay open. Officials would like to see nightclubs and bars close at 2:00am in Panama. The argument for the curfew is that it will help reduce crime and stop drunk driving. Of course, business owners don’t want the curfew as they fear this will cut down on business as most of their customers are tourists who often come to Panama to enjoy the nightlife. Panama is a very nocturnal society and everyone would be very surprised to see the very lucrative nightlife turn in early. Panama’s gang violence has increased in the Chorillo sector of Panama City. Chorillo has traditionally been one of the poorest and most dangerous sections of Panama City. Two of the big gangs in Chorillo are “Baghdad” and “La Tostada”. One of the leaders of “Baghdad” was executed on the streets of Chorillo. During the execution a five year old girl was shot three times; she is slowly recovering. The police in Chorillo are on high alert and fear that a strong wave of gang violence might sweep across Chorillo this week. This past week in Washington the White house released its report on countries that participate in the production and trafficking of illicit drugs. Panama was on the list of twenty countries where drug shipments pass on their way to the U.S. In 2008, 51 metric tons of cocaine was seized in Panama. The White House report states that as pressure has been applied to Colombia and Mexico to stop drug shipments, Central America has become a major center for drug traffickers, especially Honduras and Guatemala. There has also been an increase of drugs in Nicaragua and Costa Rica. The U.S. does not plan to stop aid to countries on the list. General Manuel Noriega was back in the news this week. Noriega is petitioning French President Nicolas Sarkozy for a pardon in his quest to overturn the money laundering conviction that he was sentenced to in France in 1999. Noriega is hoping to be pardoned by Sarkozy so he doesn’t have to face a new trial and prison term in France. Noriega is now 75 years old and does not want to face a possible 10 year prison sentence in France. The consensus in Panama is that Noriega will never return to Panama while he’s alive. Members of the Panamanian National Assembly have been slow to cut back on many of their privileges, but Panamanian President Martinelli wants to cut back on many of the privileges that Assembly members now enjoy. For example, National Assembly members are issued diplomatic passports for themselves and immediate family members; Assembly members also receive tax exemptions, and pay no import taxes. But the most important reform Assembly members are resisting is the reform which would put quotas on the number of vehicles they can import into Panama tax free. They are putting up strong resistance because this would decrease their ability to import old U.S. school buses into Panama. And old U.S. school buses have traditionally been used as a way of getting votes in Panamanian elections: providing buses to transport companies is a great way to buy bloc votes in Panama. Little On Real Estate The beginnings of Ocean Reef Islands, the artificial islands in the Bay of Panama, are beginning to appear just off the shore from the Punta Pacifica section of Panama City. The man-made islands are being developed by Grupo Los Pueblos, one the largest developers in Panama. The islands will be dotted with South Florida-style mansions; the islands will be reached by a private access road from the mainland. The mansions will have waterfront views and each island will have a low rise condo building located in the center of the island. Another very popular real estate development right now is Vista Mar Beach and Golf Resort located on Panama’s Pacific Coast. Of all the developments on Panama’s Pacific Coast, Vista Mar offers the best location at the best price. Vista Mar has an 18 hole championship golf course and beach club. Most homes are located right on the Pacific Ocean and are not far from supermarkets and other services. By far the biggest project in Panama right now is Panama Pacifico which is being developed by London & Regional Properties. Panama Pacifico will be located on the former Howard Air Force Base and will have one million square meters of commercial development, 20,000 new homes and over 1,000 hotel rooms. The idea of the development is to extend Panama City across the Panama Canal to an area that is safe and with a well-developed infrastructure. Written By Matt Atlee Panama 101 – E-Book – $69
|
A strange alien-like animal was discovered by a group of Panamanian teenagers in the mountain town of Cerro Azul which lies to the north of Panama City. According to the teenagers, the animal suddenly appeared and started to move towards them. They began to throw rocks and sticks at the animal which killed the animal. The photos of the animal are unusual and some are speculating that it’s an alien from outer space. It looks as though it might be a sloth, but zoologist in Panama have not yet disclosed what kind of animal the teenagers encountered in Cerro Azul. The story and photos of the animal have made international news.