Welcome to the Panama Weekly News Roundup! Here’s the latest.
Welcome to the Panama Weekly News Roundup! Here’s the latest.
The Panama Canal is thirsty. That’s a problem for ocean carriers.
It is likely not a surprise the Panama Canal needs water to operate. It might be more surprising though that the canal, which connects the Pacific Ocean to the Caribbean Sea, is thirsty.
The Panama Canal, and Central America more broadly, is experiencing one of the worst droughts in its recorded history. With less water, the canal is forced to place restrictions on the amount of cargo ships can carry, meaning carriers have to limit the shippers they can serve on routes that rely on this waterway.
Carlos Vargas, the Panama Canal Authority’s vice president of water and environment, said earlier this year January was the driest month the country experienced in the last 106 years. Precipitation in the Panama Canal watershed was about 90% below the historical average this year, a spokesperson for the Panama Canal Authority told Supply Chain Dive.
Source: Supply Chain Dive
Spotlight: Panama’s push for infra PPPs.
As part of Panama’s commitment to economic recovery, transparency and progress, recently sworn-in President Laurentino Cortizo is determined to push for the implementation of a regulatory framework for public-private partnerships (PPPs).
As stated in a plan containing his campaign proposals and reaffirmed in his inaugural address, one of the first measures Cortizo will try to achieve is the creation of a PPP law for infrastructure development.
The first draft of the bill was presented by public works minister Rafael Sabonge last week at the new administration’s first public cabinet meeting.
Based on the proposal, PPP models would be implemented for all kinds of infrastructure projects, except for those related to the Panama Canal or the ministries of health, education and public security.
Source: BN Americas
Victims of the 1989 US invasion of Panama are calling for compliance with a ruling of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR).
In November 2018, the IACHR determined that the United States had violated the human rights of civilians during its invasion of Panama between December 1989 and January 1990.
The US Armed Forces conducted the military operation in order to overthrow governing General Manuel Antonio Noriega, who was accused by Washington of drug trafficking. According to the ruling, the United States should provide physical and psychological assistance to the victims, as well as provide them with material compensation.
According to Panamanian NGOs, about 5,000 people were killed. There have also been reports of disappearances and people buried in mass graves, in addition to the damage to property and forced displacement of families.
Source: Sputnik News
Art and Culture in Panama: A short guide for expats and visitors
People who are planning on relocating to Panama, or even just visiting there, have lots of different tastes when it comes to what to do and how to spend their time. Of course, Panama is largely known for its economy, nature and wildlife areas, beaches (and beach resorts), and banking, but those who live here also know it for its magnificent art and culture.
Yes, the term “art” is as ambiguous as the term “culture”, but in this case, the reference is referring to visual art (paintings, cinema, sculptures, etc.), architecture, music, and dance, done by locals in a way that represents Panamanian culture now and throughout history. In this sense, Panama’s artistic riches can be found throughout the country, from the city to the hills of Chiriqui and everywhere in between. Panama’s most cherished art, when it comes to preservation and popularity, tends to be indigenous art, as it is truly unique to the country, and honors Panama’s indigenous roots. Colonial art is more prevalent in Panama City, but still an important historic reminder of the Spanish influence in the founding of modern Panama, and the country’s early roots to independence.
