Panama

US signs deal to help Panama remove migrants who may be travelling north

The United States is going to pay for flights and offer other help to Panama to remove migrants under an agreement signed Monday, as the Central American country's new president has vowed to shut down the treacherous Darien Gap used by people travelling north to the United States. The memorandum of understanding was signed during an official visit headed by Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas to Panama for the inauguration Monday of Jos Ral Mulino, the country's new president. The deal is designed to jointly reduce the number of migrants being cruelly smuggled through the Darien, usually en route to the United States," National Security Council spokesperson Adrienne Watson said in a statement Monday. "Specifically, the United States will support Panama's efforts to begin the swift, safe and humane repatriation of migrants who do not have a legal basis to remain in Panama. The efforts to send some migrants back to their homelands will help deter irregular migration in the

Pakistan, Panama, Somalia, Greece elected as UNSC non-permanent members

Pakistan, Somalia, Denmark, Greece and Panama were Thursday elected as non-permanent members of the UN Security Council for a two-year term beginning 2025. The five members were elected by a secret ballot in the UN General Assembly for a 2-year term starting on January 1, 2025, until December 31, 2026. In the two seats for African and Asia-Pacific States, Somalia got 179 votes and Pakistan 182. In the Latin American and Caribbean States, Panama got 183 votes while in the Western European and other States, Denmark got 184 votes and Greece 182. "Proud moment as Pakistan receives a resounding 182 votes and is elected to the United Nations Security Council for the term 2025-26," Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif posted on X. He said Pakistan was looking forward to working with the international community to address pressing global challenges. "We will continue to play our role in promoting peace, stability, and cooperation among nations," he said. Elected for the 8th time as a .

Denmark, Greece, Pakistan, Panama, Somalia set to get seats on UNSC

Denmark, Greece, Pakistan, Panama and Somalia were set to get seats on the UN Security Council in a secret ballot Thursday in the General Assembly. The 193-member world body is scheduled to vote to elect five countries to serve two-year terms on the council. The 10 non-permanent seats on the 15-member council are allotted to regional groups who usually select their candidates but sometimes can't agree on one. There are no such surprises this year. Last year, Slovenia soundly defeated Russia's close ally Belarus for the seat representing the East European regional group, a vote that reflected strong global opposition to Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. This time, the regional groups put forward Somalia for an African seat, Pakistan for an Asia-Pacific seat, Panama for a Latin America and Caribbean seat, and Denmark and Greece for two mainly Western seats. The five council members elected Thursday will start their terms on Jan. 1, replacing those whose two-year terms end on D

Mulino becomes Panama President with support from convicted former leader

Mulino, a pro-business right-wing politician, faces a daunting task of mending social divisions and regaining the faith of an electorate fed up with political graft

Panama Papers: Trial's public portion comes to an unexpectedly speedy end

The public portion of a trial of more than two-dozen associates accused of helping some of the world's richest people hide their wealth came to an unexpectedly speedy conclusion on Friday when a Panamanian judge said she would take the two weeks of trial arguments and testimony under advisement. The trial came eight years after 11 million leaked secret financial documents that became known as the Panama Papers prompted the resignation of the prime minister of Iceland and brought scrutiny to the then-leaders of Argentina and Ukraine, Chinese politicians, and Russian President Vladimir Putin, among others. Judge Baloisa Marquinez noted on Friday that the case included more than 530 volumes of information. The public trial had been expected to run to the end of the month. The judge has 30 working days to issue a verdict. Those on trial include the owners of the Mossack Fonseca law firm that was at the heart of the 2016 massive document leak. Jrgen Mossack attended the trial, while his

'Panama Papers' trial starts; 27 people charged in money laundering case

The trial of 27 people charged in connection with the worldwide Panama Papers money laundering started Monday in a Panamanian criminal court. Those on trial include the owners of the Mossack-Fonseca law firm that was at the heart of the 2016 massive document leak. The Panama Papers include a collection of 11 million secret financial documents that illustrate how some of the world's richest people hide their money. The repercussions of the leaks have been far-ranging, prompting the resignation of the prime minister of Iceland and bringing scrutiny to the leaders of Argentina and Ukraine, Chinese politicians and Russian President Vladimir Putin, among others. The often-delayed trial opened Monday, with lawyers Juergen Mossack, Ramn Fonseca and other ex-employees of the firm facing money laundering charges. Mossack was present in the courtroom; lawyers for Fonseca said he was in a hospital in Panama. The case centers on allegations the firm set up shell companies to acquire properti

FATF removes offshore tax haven Cayman Islands from its 'grey list'

In its review published on October 27, FATF has added Bulgaria to the grey list

After Mexico, Brazil, India signs MoU on electoral cooperation with Panama

The Election Commission and the Electoral Tribunal (ET) of Panama on Friday signed a memorandum of understanding in Panama City to establish institutional framework for their ongoing cooperation in the field of election management and administration. With this, the Election Commission (EC) has expanded its electoral collaboration with more nations. Earlier, it had signed similar MoUs with Brazil, Chile and Mexico. A three-member EC delegation led by Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Rajiv Kumar held interactions with Presiding Magistrate, Electoral Tribunal of Panama, Alfredo Junc Wendehake, on strengthening collaboration and knowledge exchange between the two election management bodies. Eduardo Valdes Escoffery, the first vice presidential magistrate, and Luis A Guerra Morales, the second vice presidential magistrate, of the ET of Panama were also present, the poll panel said. Speaking on the occasion, CEC Kumar said that the MoU reflects the EC's ongoing commitment to engage with

Panama turtles get legal right to live, free passage in healthy environment

On a Panamanian beach long after dark, a group of undergraduate students dug into the sand to excavate a sea turtle nest, their lamps casting a soft red glow as they studied eggs, inventoried the success of the hatch and checked for any surviving hatchlings stuck at the bottom of the nest. Nearby, armed members of the National Border Service stood watch for protection in an area known for drug trafficking. The students worked under the guidance of Callie Veelenturf, who founded a group that works to protect leatherback turtles and pushed for a new law in Panama that guarantees sea turtles the legal right to live and have free passage in a healthy environment. The new law will allow any Panamanian citizen to be the voice of sea turtles and defend them legally, Veelenturf said in a text message as she boarded a plane to Panama City after her group's work near Armila. We will be able to hold governments, corporations, and public citizens legally accountable for violations of the right

Well-positioned to serve as India's hub to LatAm: Panama foreign minister

'Panama may be a small country, but it has long punched above its weight'

Panama approaches 'Pharmacy of the World' India for affordable medicines

The EAM mentioned that Indian project execution has grown across geographies with 'Made in India' and 'Delivered by India' becoming realities globally.

India plans to open logistic hub for Indian companies in Panama: Jaishankar

India is exploring the possibility of opening a logistics hub for Indian companies in Panama, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has said, asserting that the country's trade with Latin America is growing and nearing USD 50 billion. The minister arrived in Panama on Monday from Guyana. He called on President Nito Cortizo and conveyed the personal greetings of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to him. His strong resonance with PM Modi's Panch Prann reflects the strength of our Global South bonds and shared outlook for the world. Valued his guidance for advancing our bilateral and multilateral partnership, Jaishankar tweeted. Cortizo said, during their meeting, they talked about the will to make an alliance with the Indian pharmaceutical industry to achieve quality, effective and cheaper medicines for Panamanians. "We address the commercial exchange between Panama and India and the advantages that our country offers for the establishment of more companies; also about the opportunities

Trade between India-Panama heading towards $50 billion: S Jaishankar

S Jaishankar and Panama Foreign Minister Janaina Tewaney held a joint press conference on Monday after holding discussions on several bilateral issues related to health and trade

Son of Panama ex-president pleads guilty to money laundering

A son of Panama's former president, Ricardo Martinelli, pleaded guilty Tuesday in New York to laundering $28 million in connection with a massive bribery scheme

Govt detects undisclosed income of Rs 20,078 crore in Panama Leak

Besides the Panama Leak, the government also detected undisclosed credits of about Rs 246 crore in Paradise Papers Leaks and Rs 11,010 crore in ICIJ cases

Covid-19: Panama imposes temporary ban on travellers from South America

Panama's Health Ministry announced a temporary ban on the entry of people from all South American countries starting from Wednesday after a COVID-19 case of the Brazilian variant was confirmed

Panama govt approves emergency use of Pfizer-BioNTech coronavirus vaccine

Panama's government has approved the emergency use of the vaccine produced by US company Pfizer and German company BioNTech. The delivery of the first batch is expected in the first quarter of 2021

Panama leaks: ED seizes Delhi jeweller's foreign assets worth Rs 7 cr

The business entity was identified by the ED as Mehrasons Jewellers

Panama asks for Interpol alert on ex-president's sons

On allegations that they accepted bribes from disgraced Brazilian construction giant Odebrecht

Panama detains Mossack Fonseca founders on corruption charges

Firm founders were detained because of the risk they might try to flee the country