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About this blog

Current events and items of interest in Chiriqui and Panama

Entries in this blog

Mission Statements

These testimonial statements were made several years ago by a couple who volunteered at the Mission in Volcancito. In my opinion, they are worth reviewing. I personally knew several well intentioned people who journeyed each year from the U.S. to volunteer their vacation time helping out, but they became disillusioned and quit coming. Our testimony of what we know of the “Mission”-  Part 1- Events of 2014 A.  Our names are Gary and Debbie Pearcy.  We are composing and presenting t

Keith Woolford

Keith Woolford

Do Portugal Circus at the Feria

Do Portugal Circus at the Feria in the lot across from the Feria Admin building Monday - Friday 7:30p.m. Saturday - 5:00 and 8:00 p.m. Sunday - 2:00, 5:00, and 8:00 p.m. Ticket Price $10.00 - with Coupon $6.00  

Keith Woolford

Keith Woolford

The Seller of Panama

President Varela is returning from opening the new Panamanian Embassy in China with at least a dozen and a half economic agreements beneficial to business and agriculture. Today he proposed that Panama become China's platform in Central America. Young adults from Panama are being hosted in China on cultural missions to prepare them for ? Varela proposes Panama as a China’s platform in Latin America   EFE Mon, 11/20/2017 - 11:16  

Keith Woolford

Keith Woolford

When Good News Goes Bad

Yesterday, when full of Christmas Eve shoppers, there was a big upset in Multiplaza, Panama's most upscale mall. Word got passed around on social media that the President was going to be giving away free Nike shoes there. All a body had to do was show up and ask for the shoes to be charged to the account of Juan Carlos Varela, so hundreds of people arrived for the supposed giveaway, which of course didn't happen. https://www.prensa.com/sociedad/Piden-Juan-Carlos-Varela-Presidencia

Keith Woolford

Keith Woolford

36th Anniversary of the Death of Omar Torrijos

General Omar Torrijos was a friendly dictator who governed Panama from 1968 to 1981 and is regarded as a national hero. Today marks 36 years since the death of General Omar Torrijos Herrera This Monday, 31 July 2017 commemorates 36 years since the physical disappearance of General Omar Torrijos Herrera. His plane, a De Havilland Twin Otter (DHC-6) of the Panamanian Air Force, crashed close to the Cordillera Central, between the provinces of Cocle and Colon, in the Republic of

Keith Woolford

Keith Woolford

Natural Disasters

Some thoughts on the recent spate of natural disasters affecting Mexico, many Caribbean islands, and parts of the southern U.S. We complain here about power outages that last longer than a few hours. Many people in the Caribbean will be living without electricity for 4 to 6 months. People who live on islands are trapped and have nowhere to run to. Continuing to allow construction in flood plains and coastal areas is simply stupid. There are people around who knock others here

Keith Woolford

Keith Woolford

Cobre Panama Mine in Panama

This week President Varela visited the Cobre Panama mine site. This is a mega-project with $5.5 billion worth of investment, as much or more as the Canal expansion. Many mining ventures around the world are run out of Canada and this one is no different. For a time there was a struggle for control of the property and the adjacent Molejon Gold site now belonging to the infamous Petaquilla Minerals. First Quantum Minerals eventually separated from Petaquilla and succeeded in acquiri

Keith Woolford

Keith Woolford

Nothing to Report ?

It seems like it's been a long time since we've seen any public updates from either of the entities handling emergency incident reports, specifically Alto Al Crimen and Rodny Direct. Any statistics on the number and nature of calls received and the type of response that was required? Is the incidence of local criminal activity up or down, etc.?

Keith Woolford

Keith Woolford

José "Pepe" Mujica Visits Panama

This week marked the visit to Panama of the wonderful former President of Uruguay, José "Pepe" Mujica, when he received an honorary Doctorate from UP and gave a number of excellent speeches. “Pepe” Mujica: The preacher of transparency Oscar Sulbarán Fri, 11/24/2017 - 23:04     "It's better to pay the price of irresponsibility than to muzzle society"

Keith Woolford

Keith Woolford

Scorpion

Up close and personal with the critter we try to avoid. Courtesy of Panama Birds & Wildlife Photos

Keith Woolford

Keith Woolford

"In Panama" by Vincent Urban

"In Panama" is a very fast moving video with some beautiful camera and editing work, imo. About the Director Vincent Urban is a director / dp / editor who has been to almost every corner on Earth. He and his friends ship their Land Rover to some place on this planet every year to make visually arresting, fast paced films about the beauty of the world’s cultures. Over the past 6 years he has pumped out 9 vimeo staff picks chronicling his travels in Asia, Africa, as well as the Amer

Keith Woolford

Keith Woolford

Why are anti-corruption success stories still the exception?

Corruption is a very noticeable issue here because most of it happens secretly but becomes a big deal when exposed.  In other countries it's more routine because it's thinly disguised as lobbying, consulting, and unlimited campaign contributions. This is a good article as to why efforts are failing to eliminate corruption. Why are anti-corruption success stories still the exception? After decades of fighting corruption, measured by hundreds of new (or renewed) commitments, in

Keith Woolford

Keith Woolford

2018 - What Will it Bring Us ?

What kind of changes can we expect to be seeing around here in 2018?  These would seem to be likely candidates. Completion of the Boquete Water and Sewer Project Re-Paving of Local Streets in Bajo Boquete Completion of the Panamonte Bridge Installation of a new Palo Alto Bridge Opening of the Centro Comercial in front of Todo a Dolar Opening of El Faro Kids Park Start on the Green Convention Centre at El Frances Continued Development of Alto

Keith Woolford

Keith Woolford

The Darien Gap: A Desperate Journey to America

This terrific 30 minute CBS film documents the journey of migrants through the Darien Gap.  As well as intimidating jungle footage, the film demonstrates the desperation and determination of global migrants who risk their lives making this trek. ? ?    

Keith Woolford

Keith Woolford

Rescues from Volcan Baru

About twenty 'excursionists' had to be plucked off Volcan Baru last night around midnight, with the first group arriving to Boquete about 5:00 a.m. What's up with these folks? One guy there appears to be only wearing a t-shirt. Does anyone else feel that these tpes should be heavily fined or sentenced to community service.? These rescues cost money, and a lot of lost sleep, for personnel and volunteers who are putting their own selves at risk. No word as to whether the partiers ar

Keith Woolford

Keith Woolford

Hallelujah

This is a recent performance of Leonard Cohen's beautiful composition Hallelujah by friends Yella and Tom Werder, Yella's niece Samantha, and her boyfriend Seth Green    

Keith Woolford

Keith Woolford

Why Bother with Current Events

It's my personal opinion that immigrants to a foreign country should, without losing their identity, make an effort to assimilate. That includes keeping up to date with current events. The value derived is, in part, a better understanding of local people, their culture and governance.  

Keith Woolford

Keith Woolford

Dr. Arnulfo Arias and his Controversial Legacy

This article was published in La Estrella as we approach the 29th anniversary of the death of Arnulfo Arias. Arnulfo Arias and his Controversial Legacy Considered as one of the key figures in the history of political, social and economic life of the country, much about the ideas and personality of the leader and founder of the Panamenista political party remain unknown. If there is a character whose political roots were populist, but who was not able to use that advantage to

Keith Woolford

Keith Woolford

Prosecutors Appeal Light Sentences to Gang Members

Recently I have noticed that prosecutors from the Ministerio Publico in Chiriqui have been appealing the length of prison sentences bestowed upon gang members, as in this case. At the request of the Anti-gang Superior Court Prosecutor, Third Judicial District Overturns Sentencing Ruling The Superior Court of the Judicial District of the province of Chiriqui, reformed a sentence for the crime of gang activity that had not been applied to several people in the gang "Niño Divino", then th

Keith Woolford

Keith Woolford

Report Concludes Panama Needs More Skilled Labour

Report Concludes Panama Requires More Skilled Labour 12 Jul 2017 Catherine Perea 03.38pm A progress report on the 'Evolution, Situation and Prospects of Employment in Panama' concluded that the Panamanian economy generated 104,156 jobs between August 2014 and March 2017 and will continue to generate jobs, requiring more trained Panamanian human resource personnel. The Ministry of Labor and Social Development, MITRADEL, said that 39,230 people entered the labor market between March

Keith Woolford

Keith Woolford

Takin' Care of Business

During the last week, four expat fellows passed on in the community whom I didn't know personally. Bruce, Scott,  Bill, Allan. RIP A good personal reminder to be making sure I leave things in good order.  

Keith Woolford

Keith Woolford

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