Welcome to the Panama Weekly News Roundup! Here’s the latest.

Panama: Population Movement.

Panama is both a commonplace of transit as well as a popular destination for migrants in the Americas. In recent years, the country has become one of the primary receiving nations of Venezuelan migrants, with an estimated population of 94,600 Venezuelans as of February 2020.

In addition to the flow of migrants arriving from Venezuela, Panama experiences a unique migratory situation along its borders with Colombia and Costa Rica – where migrants from a variety of nationalities cross through the country as they travel north. The number of migrants crossing from Colombia into the Darien region in Panama in the last month reached unusually high levels, possibly indicating that migration flows in the region could significantly increase in 2020. According to Panama’s National Migration Service (SNM), 1,547 migrants entered the dangerous, heavily forested and mostly undeveloped border region in January 2020, compared to just 698 in the same month last year.

Source: ReliefWeb

Police in Panama found more than 5 tons of drugs in a homemade semi-submersible vessel.

More than 5 tons of drugs were seized off the coast of Panama after authorities spotted what appeared to be a semi-submersible vessel, the country’s ministry of public security said.

Officers with Panama’s National Aeronaval Service were patrolling the country’s territorial waters Wednesday and found the “homemade” vessel near the province of Bocas del Toro, officials said.

Authorities seized more than 5 tons of drugs inside the vessel and arrested four Colombian citizens, the ministry said.
No more information about the people arrested was immediately available.
The ministry did not specify what type of drugs were seized in the raid, but smugglers have previously been caught using similar vessels to transport cocaine into the United States and Europe.

Source: CNN

Cuba and Panama outline interests in anti-doping struggle.

In search of a cleaner and more honest sports, authorities from Cuba and Panama outlined in Havana interests in the anti-doping fight on the way to the 24th edition of the Central American and Caribbean Games.

During a visit to Cuba, Henry Pozo Medina, president of the Organizing Committee of the regional competition, scheduled for June 9 to 24, 2022, in Panama City, highlighted the benefits of the Anti-Doping Laboratory in Havana and the possibility of entrusting the samples of the athletes who will attend the next sports competition.

We are also going to analyze the Anti-Doping Laboratories in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Montreal, Canada; and Madrid, Spain, but we trust the quality of the Cuban laboratory, which has great worldwide recognition, Pozo told Prensa Latina.

Founded by Fidel Castro in February 2001, the Anti-Doping Laboratory in Havana closed 2019 with around 5,000 tests performed on competitors from Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Honduras, Nicaragua, Mexico, among other nations.

Source: Prensa Latina English

Foodies rejoice! Here are some amazing local Panama treats to try!

Panama is a country full of diversity at every angle, and that is certainly the case when it comes to food. Panamanians have a rich gastronomical tradition that spans centuries of influence from all over the world. They also have a burgeoning restaurant scene in the country that mixes old styles with new ones, and practically everything in between.

If you want real, delicious, home-cooked Panamanian food, there are literally hundreds of options to choose from, whether in the city, countryside, mountains, or beach area. So in the essence of efficiency, and narrowing it down for newcomers (and long-time Panama expats), we’ve pick five of our favorite “must-eat” foods to try in Panama. Buen provecho!

Source: POLS Blog

The post Panama: Population Movement. : Weekly News Roundup, February 21st, 2020 appeared first on POLS Attorneys.

If you’re visiting Panama City for fun, work in Panama City, or here for work, chances are you’ll have some downtime. People all need time off, and when you’re not familiar with a new place, it can sometimes be a challenge to figure out how to spend it. Don’t worry! In Panama City, there’s plenty to do when you’ve got nothing to do at all. With many types of attractions and diversions, you’ll find that your vacation day, day off work, or time visiting friends and family will be full of local fun. Here’s a quick guide to how you can enjoy a full day of leisure in the big city.

Walk/Bike/Run the Cinta Costera

If you’re an early riser, this is the best way to start your adventurous day off. The “Cinta Costera” is Panama’s urban coastal parkway that stretches from the tip of Punta Paitilla all the way to the entrance of Casco Viejo (the old city). Morning temperatures are ideal here, and you’ll have plenty of space (car free!) to run, walk, bike, or board in the tropical ocean breeze. This is a great way to see the city skyline, and get from the more urban core of the city to Casco Viejo.

Check out Casco Viejo by foot:

If you’ve started your day on the Cinta Costera, you can get here by foot too. If not, Casco is an easy taxi or Uber ride from most parts of the city, especially where the main hotel and condo concentration is. Casco is Panama City’s most visited area, with colonial Spanish-era architecture at every turn, boutique shopping, and great foodie favorites with some of the best bars, restaurants, and cafes in the country. If you’re looking for a historic experience, go early in the day and take a walking tour. If you want to party, go after 9pm, but remember that traffic heading in can be thick thanks to the area’s popularity.

Shop ‘til you drop at Multiplaza Mall:

No shopping experience in Panama City is complete without at least browsing the shops at Multiplaza, or even spending an entire day there picking up gifts to spoil yourself with. This mall is on par with some of the best in the world and is well reputed in Panama by anyone who enjoys shopping. There are top brands, discount stores, electronics stores, a movie theatre, and a number of upscale, casual, and fast food restaurants. Multiplaza is very centrally located, so you can get in and out quickly and pack more activities into your day!

Take the ferry to Isla Taboga:

If you’re looking to get away from the urban jungle for the day but don’t want to make a long drive, Isla Taboga is the perfect place for you. You can take a morning ferry from the Balboa area, which takes about 30 minutes, and come back early afternoon. The island is small, but has a cute village and swimmable beaches, plus some of the best views around from the water itself. The island tends to get busy on holidays and weekends, so if you can pull off a mid-week trip, even better.

No matter what you decide to do, remember to not overdue it. Panama is a very fun, yet relaxing place, and you will feel that energy as soon as you arrive. Take your time, enjoy your day off, and have some fun!

The post A Quick 1-Day Guide to Panama City appeared first on POLS Attorneys.