Panama Headline News

Bruce Jones Educational Center

Helping poor street children to get an education in Panama

Education verses crime or prostitution

Director: Maria Teresa Donato

Objective:
Bruce Jones Educational Center is a not for profit school that takes teaching to where the impoverished kids of Panama are, the streets. The priority of the initial phase of Bruce Jones Educational Center recourses is to introduce these hard to reach kids to English as a second language, helping them improve their skill set in order to achieve a higher level of earning potential. In time Bruce Jones Educational Center will set up a computer lab to teach these same kids computer skills that combined with the English skills will help them leave the streets of Panama, and end the cycle of poverty they have been born into. Bruce Jones Educational Center is also involved with getting basic school supplies to kids that are already in school, and have homes, and loving families that are just unable to afford these basic school supplies. Bruce Jones Educational Center is also dedicated to getting orphans not just educated, but supplying them with those things that make being a kid fun, by purchasing Christmas toys for over one thousand boy's, and girls. With next year's goal doubling, and with some luck, and other kind hearted souls Bruce Jones Educational Center hopes to be able to give every child in Panama that needs a toy to play with, a toy to play with. Why Panama? Panama is an emerging Latin country with a fairly small population, but a high rate of poverty. Bruce Jones Educational Center picked Panama because of the size, which it believes enables it to reach its goal, and affect the most amount of Children in a positive way. Bruce Jones Educational Center has no illusions of eradicating the poverty that so many children are being exposed to, but has a firm commitment to do all that it can to give as many children as possible the opportunity to better their lives, and the lives of their inevitable children if they want it with no other motives then to help. Bruce Jones Educational Center has no ties to any Religious organizations, although it does help where it can with full autonomy, and with the soul beneficiaries being the impoverished children of Panama. Bruce Jones Educational Center has no interest in indoctrinating any children into any belief other than with hard work, and a helping hand they can find all that they seek.

Students: 15 total between the ages of 9 - 15 from Calidonia, Panama

Hookers being recruited as intelligence operatives
By the A.M. Costa Rica staff

The statement may seem very obvious, but customers of prostitutes should not provide a lot of personal information.

Some of San José's more expensive call girls report that they have been approached by individuals they think are Mexican with offers to purchase information regarding their customers.

In México, officials have discovered that the Zeta narco military force has made offers of from $400 to $800 to working women and men for information that may be useful in a crime. The narcos are interested in infiltrating public institutions, finding out which potential kidnap victim has ready money and a whole list of personal information on large groups of persons.

Costa Rican prostitutes say that similar efforts to obtain personal information have been made here.

Mostly unknown to the sex tourists who visit some of the local hotels is another tier of prostitutes who are involved with the movers and shakers of Costa Rican society. It is at this level that attempts have been made to obtain information
No one has admitted accepting the offers, and one individual said that $400 to $800 is not enough to destroy her business. She is one of those women who works from noon until 8 p.m. in places where the average expat cannot go. Patrons are mostly top businessmen, diplomats, judges and politicians. Discretion is the rule.

Sought are a whole list of information ranging from locations of bank accounts to the names of minor children. The questioners also are interested in the names of corporations in which the individual may have an interest. In addition to pillow talk, the questioners most certainly have taken advantage of the country's public record system that lists corporate ownership, vehicle titles, deeds and family relationships.

Some of the women who have been approached said that the volume of information that they receive is incredible because frequently their customers either simply want to talk or seek to feed their ego.

One woman said that she believed similar offers are being made to domestic employees who are situated much better to provide floor plans of homes and hourly schedules.

Martinelli meets with presidents of Costa Rica and Mexico
la prensa

President Martinelli, along with 29 other heads of State, are gathered in Cancun for a regional summit.

President of the Republic, Ricardo Martinelli, is scheduled to meet with President of Costa Rica, Oscar Arias, and President of Mexico, Felipe Calderón during his current mission to Cancun to attend the “Latin America and Caribbean Summit of Unity."

One of the objectives of this mission is the signing of an agreement with Mexico to avoid double taxation; an action that forms part of the strategies being developed by the Panamanian government to extricate the country from "the list of uncooperative countries with regards to tax matters.”

During the Summit, which approximately 30 Heads of State are attending, Martinelli, accompanied by Vice-President and Foreign Minister, Juan Carlos Varela, is expected to hold bilateral meetings with his Central American counterparts.

The purpose of these meetings is to join forces to promote the incorporation of Panama into the process of negotiating an Association Agreement between Central American countries and the European Union.

Martinelli is also expected to support efforts being made to rebuild Haiti, as well as to discuss infrastructure investment and regional trade promotion with his counterparts.

Panama vows to defend border area following clash with armd gunmen
PANAMA CITY – The government of Panama says it will defend its territory following the wounding of a police officer during a clash between Panamanian police and armed men along the border with Colombia.

The Foreign Ministry says the government will not allow any part of Panama to be used by groups for drug trafficking or other illicit activities.

Sunday's statement does not identify the group that attacked a government patrol boat Saturday. But the wording suggests they may have been related to Colombian cocaine traffickers or rebels who participate in the trade.

A similar border clash in January resulted in the deaths of three Colombian rebels.

Panama President Ricardo Martinelli Visits Alma Mater

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. --
An international figure paid a visit to Fayetteville Saturday. Panamanian President Riccardo Martinelli studied at the University of Arkansas before embarking on his political journey.

A small crowd watched as Martinelli talked about his love for his alma mater.

"I am very happy to be here and very proud to be an alumnus of the University of Arkansas," Martinelli said.

The university honored Martinelli by establishing a scholarship in his name.

The scholarship will provide financial assistance for students, and preference will be given to students from the Republic of Panama.

"The opportunity during the four and a half years that i spent in Fayetteville has done so much in my life," Martinelli said.

Martinelli hopes the scholarship will provide opportunities for students from Panama to follow in his footsteps, and learn valuable lessons that could help strengthen his home country.

He also says he plans to encourage more communication between Panama and the United States in the future.

"I will do everything in my power to continue strengthening our relationship not only with the university and the state of Arkansas, but with the U.S.," Martinelli said.
The pressure was on for the Razorback baseball team since the opening pitch of the game was thrown by the president of a country.

President Ricardo Martinelli graduated from the University of Arkansas and was elected president of Panama last summer. Panama is a small country in between Central and South America.

This was President Martinelli's first trip to the U of A since he became the president of Panama.

Je says its time here that helped him get where he is today.

"It feels like a dream. I never thought it would come true. I am so proud and happy and so excited. A part of me remains in Arkansas. I love Arkansas and its people. In my life, everything I have become, Arkansas had a lot to do with," said President Martinelli.

Congressman John Boozman agrees.

He graduated from the University of Arkansas at the same time as President Martinelli. "He's somebody that the state of Arkansas can be so proud of. The values, and he's very open and honest about this, that he learned here being in real America has taken and really thrived," said Congressman Boozman.

"The President spent the morning tackling tough issues like free trade and crime in his country of Panama. But things lightened up in the afternoon when he threw out the first pitch at the Razorback baseball game.

The president got a little practice pitching when he recently threw the first pitch at a Yankee's baseball game.

It only took him a couple tries to get the ball across the plate. President Martinelli was given an Arkansas Traveler certificate from Governor Beebe, making him an official ambassador of goodwill from Arkansas.

New sewage system in Colón already broken
la prensa

A new sewage system in Colón does not have the capacity to handle waste flowing into it.

Despite numerous warnings from engineers, the government of Martín Torrijos authorized the payment of $12.8 million from the Fund for Social Investment to the firm of Transcaribe Trading for the construction of a new sewage system in Colón in August 2008.

Now, less than two years later, the system has numerous problems.

The work was deemed to be satisfactory by the Torrijos administration when it signed off on the project. But this approval was given despite a number of studies by engineers from water and sewer agency IDANN warning that the work had serious problems.

Francisco Israel Rodriguez, director of the Social Investment Fund at the time the work was presented, said he remembered nothing about the project, then refused to answer any further questions. New IDAAN Director for Colón Mariel Lima Young confirmed that the project lacks the proper capacity and that the pumps are constantly breaking down.

Transcaribe Trading owner David Ochy said that the project was built according to government specifications and that the firm will not replace the pumps because the contract has already been completed.

Arias arrested on alcohol charges at panama carnival

story by La Prensa
The leader of the Panama City Carnival Board, Carlos Arias, was arrested Sunday after police noticed minors being sold alcohol in an area of Vía España.

This comes a day after Arias and the Panama Tourism Authority had a public falling out over a $1 entrance fee to the opening of Carnival festivities in Panama City.

Police came to remove the minors from the area where alcohol was being sold, which caused a disturbance. Arias arrived on the scene and also protested the actions of the officers, which led to his arrest.

Earlier Sunday, Arias had called the dispute over the entrance fee a "misunderstanding."

Arias had hired people to collect a $1 entrance fee, but the Panama Tourism Authority, which oversees Carnival, ordered that practice stopped because all events are supposed to be free.

Arias said that the $1 entrance fee should have been collected only for people heading into a special dance area, and not for general admission. He added that the situation was quickly rectified and that the rest of the activities will be free of charge.

Carnival deals with problems
la prensa
Panama City's Carnival has been suspended due to a number of problems.
Panama City's Carnival continues to be plagued by problems.
These problems include the arrest of the Carnival Board president and ongoing disputes between the board and the Panama Tourism Authority, which is in charge of the event. On Sunday, the Carnival Board announced it would suspend all activities, a decision that was reversed about an hour later.

The day started with Carlos Arias, Carnival board president, being arrested following a confrontation with police. Arias was trying to prevent police from cracking down on alcohol sales to minors. This prompted the board to announce Carnival had been suspended, even though it was unclear if they had the authority to do so.

Arias also clashed with the Tourism Authority over a fee he tried to charge to enter the opening day of Carnival on Saturday.

Also Sunday, food and beverage vendors complained about losing money Saturday night when police forced them to close at midnight.

"We feel cheated," said Zuleika Pérez, one of 175 vendors. "The Carnival Board authorized us to sell after midnight, but the police forced is to close."

Pérez said she lost five bags chorizo and other goods that she had planned to sell.

Despite all the problems, entertainment is expected to continue as scheduled, and vendors have been told they can stay open until 3 a.m.

The Republic of Panama

Panama Visitors Guide

Welcomes

G.S.L. Real Estate Panama 

G.S.L. Real Estate Panama Web-Site

 Republic of Panama
Welcome to GSL Worldwide, the Real Estate site for properties throughout the whole of Panama. GSL provides a first class service which is based entirely on customer satisfaction for those wishing to rent or purchase Real Estate within Panama. We have connections with all major construction companies and developers in Panama to enable us to locate the property that suits both your budget, and your preference. There is so much to choose from in the cosmopolitan city of Panama, including first class restaurants and bars for those of you who prefer the hustle and bustle of city life. For those who prefer the quieter lifestyle of secluded beaches and mountain locations and prefer to be outside the city, there is also a great deal to choose from. Please select from the menu on the left hand side in order to view the properties on offer and feel free to contact us any time for further advice or just a chat. We have both English and Spanish speaking professionals who are able to assist you in every aspect of moving or retiring to Panama.
•
Our offices are situated at Local #3, Via Espana, close to many of the hotels. Please call in Monday to Friday between 8.30am and 6.00pm or Saturday between 9.00am and 2.00pm, or telephone and arrange for us to meet you at your hotel. We are fully licensed Realtors and will take you through the process of completing all the paperwork for renting a property, or guide you through the laws and regulations of purchasing property. When dealing with GSL you will have peace of mind, knowing that you can relax and enjoy the vibrant atmosphere that Panama has to offer, with the certainty that all legal aspects of your property deal have been completed in an exacting manner.
• Anyone moving to a new country is aware that the assistance of local professionals can be invaluable. It is in our interest to make sure that every aspect of your property purchase or rental is carried out with the utmost professionalism and friendly service that we are renowned for.
• All legal aspects of renting Real Estate in Panama are covered by a lease agreement between yourself and the vendor. All of this paperwork is completed by our own in-house lawyer and registered with the local governing authorities.
• When purchasing Real Estate in Panama it is always advisable to use the services of a fully qualified lawyer, who has the relevant experience. Here at GSL we are able to process all Real Estate transactions, setting up of Corporations and Foundations, and also handle all types of Immigration Visa's.
• Welcome to GSL Worldwide, the Real Estate site for properties throughout the whole of Panama. GSL provides a first class service which is based entirely on customer satisfaction for those wishing to rent or purchase Real Estate within Panama. We have connections with all major construction companies and developers in Panama to enable us to locate the property that suits both your budget, and your preference. There is so much to choose from in the cosmopolitan city of Panama, including first class restaurants and bars for those of you who prefer the hustle and bustle of city life. For those who prefer the quieter lifestyle of secluded beaches and mountain locations and prefer to be outside the city, there is also a great deal to choose from. Please select from the menu on the left hand side in order to view the properties on offer and feel free to contact us any time for further advice or just a chat. We have both English and Spanish speaking professionals who are able to assist you in every aspect of moving or retiring to Panama.
•
Our offices are situated at Local #3, Via Espana, close to many of the hotels. Please call in Monday to Friday between 8.30am and 6.00pm or Saturday between 9.00am and 2.00pm, or telephone and arrange for us to meet you at your hotel. We are fully licensed Realtors and will take you through the process of completing all the paperwork for renting a property, or guide you through the laws and regulations of purchasing property. When dealing with GSL you will have peace of mind, knowing that you can relax and enjoy the vibrant atmosphere that Panama has to offer, with the certainty that all legal aspects of your property deal have been completed in an exacting manner.
• Anyone moving to a new country is aware that the assistance of local professionals can be invaluable. It is in our interest to make sure that every aspect of your property purchase or rental is carried out with the utmost professionalism and friendly service that we are renowned for.
• All legal aspects of renting Real Estate in Panama are covered by a lease agreement between yourself and the vendor. All of this paperwork is completed by our own in-house lawyer and registered with the local governing authorities.
• When purchasing Real Estate in Panama it is always advisable to use the services of a fully qualified lawyer, who has the relevant experience. Here at GSL we are able to process all Real Estate transactions, setting up of Corporations and Foundations, and also handle all types of Immigration Visa's.
• Welcome to GSL Worldwide, the Real Estate site for properties throughout the whole of Panama. GSL provides a first class service which is based entirely on customer satisfaction for those wishing to rent or purchase Real Estate within Panama. We have connections with all major construction companies and developers in Panama to enable us to locate the property that suits both your budget, and your preference. There is so much to choose from in the cosmopolitan city of Panama, including first class restaurants and bars for those of you who prefer the hustle and bustle of city life. For those who prefer the quieter lifestyle of secluded beaches and mountain locations and prefer to be outside the city, there is also a great deal to choose from. Please select from the menu on the left hand side in order to view the properties on offer and feel free to contact us any time for further advice or just a chat. We have both English and Spanish speaking professionals who are able to assist you in every aspect of moving or retiring to Panama.

Gas explosion rocks banking district
la prensa

Flames shoot up from a gas truck that exploded in the banking district Tuesday.

A truck belonging to Tropigás exploded in the banking district Tuesday, seriously injuring one person and damaging a number of cars and buildings.

One of those injured was Abelardo Matos, who was eating at a restaurant when the explosion happened. Matos is being treated at Santo Tomás for burns, according to medical director of the hospital, Elias Phillips Mayorca.

The two Tropigás employees who were with the truck escaped serious injury. José Remice, 30, an assistant dispenser, is stable and out of any danger, the company said. His partner, driver Fabio de León, 38, was not injured. Esteban Valdés, Ruth Quezada and Heidi Archibold, all of whom were near the truck when it exploded, suffered minor injuries.

"Our company greatly regrets the severity of the accident and we reiterate our full readiness to continue to cooperate in the clarification of the causes of this accident before the national community and the authorities of the country," the company said in a statement.

The first two explosions were reported at 1:44 p.m. and 1:54 p.m. Firefighters rushed to the scene, and were at the location when a third explosion was reported at 2 p.m.

The area was evacuated as firefighters battled the blaze, which damaged a number of cars and a nearby building, Edificio América, which suffered havy damage. A number of families were left homeless by the blaze, which also destroyed 22 vehicles.

Panama $24 Million upgrade for David, Chirqui Airport

Several companies interested in developing the expansion of the airstrip at the Enrique Maleky airport, in the city of David, Chiriquí, whose reference cost is over US$24 million, performed there a field study.
A note published in daily La Prensa indicates that the administrator of this airport, Ricardo Brenes, said that extending the airstrip to 2,600 meters of length and enlarging the airport facilities represents a long term solution to attend the needs of the west region of the country.
He highlighted that the investments executed at the public airports in the interior of the country are due to a strategy oriented to support commerce, tourism and economic development in general, which will also benefit the communities where these facilities are located.

Martinelli defends tax hike
la prensa

President of the Republic, Ricardo Martinelli.

President of the Republic, Ricardo Martinelli, speaking on RPC Radio yesterday from a work tour in the city of David, defended the recent tax hike.

Martinelli justified the increase, attributing it to the establishment of a universal scholarship for students across the country.

With the adjustment of taxes, the estimated 800,000 school-aged children currently residing in the country, can receive a grant, regardless of the political affiliation of their parents, detailed Martinelli on RPC Radio.

The official went on to inform that, parallel to this increase, the government is simultaneously lowering the income tax, by approximately half. "Those who are paying for this tax are the banks that did not pay taxes prior," said the president.

Costa Rica, Has A New Women President 

SAN JOSE, Costa Rica – Costa Ricans have elected their first woman president as the ruling party candidate won in a landslide after campaigning to continue free market policies in Central America's most stable nation.

With most of the votes from Sunday's election counted, Laura Chinchilla held a 22-point lead over her closest rival. Her 47 percent share of the vote was well beyond the 40 percent needed to avoid a run-off.

The 50-year-old protege of the current president, Nobel Peace Prize laureate Oscar Arias, promised to pursue the same economic policies that recently brought the country into a trade pact with the U.S. and opened commerce with China.

"Today we are making history," said Chinchilla, who will be the fifth Latin American woman to serve as president when she takes office in May. "The Costa Rican people have given me their confidence, and I will not betray it."

The closest contender, Otton Solis of the Citizens Action Party, got 25 percent of the votes. He and the other main rival, Libertarian Otto Guevara, quickly conceded defeat.

It was unclear, however, whether Chinchilla's National Liberation Party would gain a majority in congress.

Analyst Heather Berkman of the Eurasia Group said coalition building without a majority would likely delay or derail controversial fiscal reforms to shore up government finances and energy deregulation.

The third-place candidate, Guevara, congratulated Chinchilla as "our president," but he also pointed out the new political muscle of his tax-bashing Libertarian Movement Party. He won 21 percent of the vote.

Arias' economic policies helped insulate Costa Rica from the world economic crisis as he kept a high profile on the world stage as a negotiator in Honduras' political crisis after a coup deposed President Manuel Zelaya in June.

Critics of the Arias government, in which Chinchilla served as vice president, contended its policies catered to big developers to boost the economy at the cost of the nation's fragile ecosystems.

But most Costa Ricans were reluctant to shake up the status quo in a country with relatively high salaries, the longest life expectancy in Latin America, a thriving ecotourism industry and near-universal literacy.

Chinchilla, the mother of a teenage son, is a social conservative who opposes abortion and gay marriage. She appealed both to Costa Ricans seeking a fresh face and those reluctant to risk the unknown.

As a female president, she would follow an increasingly common trend in many Latin American countries: Nicaragua, Panama, Chile and Argentina have all elected women as presidents.

Alfredo Fernandez, 77, said he has always voted for the National Liberation Party, but this time his ballot was special.

"It is an honor to be able to have a woman president," he said.

Even Costa Ricans on the margins of society backed Chinchilla.

Heizel Arias, a 24-year-old single mother voted at a prison where she is serving an eight-year drug smuggling sentence.

"I voted for Laura Chinchilla because she has promised to fight for women," Arias said. "She was the only one who visited us and told us her plans and I believe in her."

Chavez Claims He Is the King

CARACAS, Venezuela – Police used tear gas, plastic bullets and water cannons to scatter hundreds of students protesting against the government Thursday, while President Hugo Chavez's supporters celebrated the 18th anniversary of his failed coup as an army officer.

Caracas Police Chief Carlos Meza said authorities broke up the protest because university students had not been granted permission to march. He said the denial was aimed at preventing clashes with thousands of "Chavistas" marching across the capital to mark the botched 1992 military rebellion that Chavez led as a lieutenant colonel.

"They don't have permission to march," Meza said.

Student leaders countered that they have the right to stage peaceful protests, and they said authorities loyal to Chavez frequently deny them permission to demonstrate. Before the protest was dispersed, students chanted: "We're students, not coup plotters!"

"This is one more demonstration of the government's abuse of power," student leader Roderick Navarro said.

Students started leading protests last week after the government pressured cable and satellite TV providers to drop an opposition channel. Students have organized demonstrations in cities across the country, accusing Chavez of forcing Radio Caracas Television International off the airwaves as a means of silencing his critics.

Chavez challenged the students to continue staging demonstrations, saying they won't weaken his socialist government. But he warned them against stirring up violence, suggesting authorities would break up protests that get out of control.

"Don't make a mistake with us. You'll get a firm response," Chavez said during a speech to his supporters at Venezuela's largest military fort.

Thousands of Chavez's backers gathered to listen to Chavez, who hailed the Feb. 4, 1992, military uprising against then-President Carlos Andres Perez as a justified rebellion seeking to topple a corrupt government that ignored the plight of Venezuela's poor.

More than 80 civilians and 17 soldiers were killed before troops loyal to the government quelled the coup attempt, which Chavez commemorates annually

Large cocaine shipment seized in Panama
Police confiscated 177 kilograms of cocaine Tuesday as it was about to be loaded into a container at the Port of Cristóbal in Colón.

Authorities arrested two employees of Panama Ports Company who were allegedly traing to load the cocaine. Preliminary reports indicate that the two employees brought the drugs with them into the shipping area.

They were taken into custody while the investigation continues.

Coment by Panama Jack

Cocaine is sold in Panama for $800.00 to $1,000 a Kilo and by the time it reaches Canada the price is $40,000.00 a Kilo

  Visit by Pope Benedict to Panama confirmed for 2013
Pope Benedict XVI will make an official visit to Panama to coincide with the celebration of the 500th anniversary of the discovery of the Pacific Ocean by Europeans in September 2013.

Confirmation was made on Wednesday by the Minister of the Presidency, Demetrius Papadimitriu, in a meeting with representatives of foreign and local press.

The pope received President Ricardo Martinelli at the papal summer residence of Castelgandolfo in September 2009. On that occasion, the Holy Father was invited by Martinelli to Panama for the celebration of the 500th anniversary of the sighting of the Pacific by Balboa.

The visit will coincide with Panama's planned hosting of the Central American Games.

  Panama's Civil Aviation Authority -

 By DON WINNER for Panama-Guide.com - Panama's Civil Aviation Authority (AAC) has issued a "Notice To Airmen" (NOTAM) severely restricting the flight of private aircraft in Eastern Panama near the border with Colombia. According to the note - "All private, commercial (charter), instruction and helicopter flights are prohibited in the area of the Darién, except those going to Miraflores and Meteti, and those flights flown by regular airlines."

Source: TVN Noticias -  

Panama Guide 

 A delegation of twenty Panamanian search and rescue experts will be departing the country in the coming hours, to provide assistance to Haiti which was struck by a devastating earthquake yesterday. Copa airlines will make an aircraft available to the government, which will be used to transport the rescue team as well as 10,000 bags of food donated by the office of the First Lady, Marta de Martinelli. Panama's Foreign Ministry said that despite their best efforts, they still have not been able to locate the charge d'affaires of Panama in Haiti, Eugenio Taylor.

Source: Kathyria Caicedo for Telemetro Reporta -

Panama Guide

About 250,000 workers in Panama will see an increase in their paychecks today, as a result of the new increases to the minimum wage announced by the government at the end of last year, which takes effect as of today, 15 January 2010. However, there are many complaints and doubts. Every company is obliged to pay their employees at the new rates as per Executive Order Number 263, which regulates the minimum wage and specifies what has to be paid according to the type of commercial activity and region of the country.

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Tropic Star's Black Marlin 
Jon Schwartz finds monster black marlin in Panama 
By Jon Schwartz   Web-Site 
A Week at Tropic Star

In the winter of 2008, I had the great fortune of photographing some of the world's greatest fishing spots running at full steam. Swarms of surface-breaking striped marlin provided Cabo anglers with nonstop action. The pristine paradise of Costa Rica's Osa Peninsula served up a tropical mix of billfish, roosters and bull dolphin. To top it all, the annual run of sailfish in Guatemala, where anglers released an average of 20 per day's charter, eclipsed even my wildest fishing fantasies. I returned to the States in January, flush with a wealth of images and adventure that would surely quench my traveling jones for a good while.

Just when I'd started to acclimate to my normal stateside routine, I got an e-mail from Raleigh Werking, manager of the Tropic Star Lodge. Turns out that they'd just experienced their best month ever of marlin fishing: 97 released in a single week! Had this report been from any other place in the world, I would have been able to brush off this incredible news, satisfied that I'd recently seen enough similar action. The problem was that this wasn't any old spot.

Panama's Tropic Star Lodge (TSL) is home to a great many species and boasts one of the most productive inshore fisheries in the world. Huge cubera snapper, grouper and roosterfish are landed on a regular basis within yards of the coastline. TSL's all-tackle record roosterfish tipped the scales at 96 pounds, and many are caught in the 50- to 70-pound range. Incredibly, this top-notch nearshore bite rates a distant second to the international contingent of anglers who flock to TSL for one reason alone: close and personal encounters with Makaira indica, the majestic black marlin.

We've all seen Guy Harvey's pictures of brutish blacks rocketing skyward within feet of TSL's fleet of 31-foot Bertrams, deckhands' arms fearlessly reaching for the leader while the angler sits with mouth agape. Always the skeptic, I'd assumed that these incredible scenarios were fairly rare. If they weren't, one thing was for sure - I was missing out on some of the most dramatic displays of man versus beast to be found on the planet.

A confluence of events: Raleigh's report, a whole week off from my day job and payday succeeded in rendering me utterly incapable of resisting the temptation to see for myself. In addition, black marlin were one of the few species that I'd been unable to get on film (compact flash card, really). The potential to plop myself into the middle of some big-game madness and score some epic photos of my own sealed the deal.

TSL usually books out a year in advance, so it was only with some great luck that I was able to book a room during the peak season for black marlin. Bonnie Karp at the lodge's office in Orlando, Florida, helped me find a flight from LAX to Panama City's Tocumen Airport. Arriving guests usually spend the night in one of the deluxe hotels near the airport and take a transfer plane to the remote airport near the lodge the next morning.

To my delight, a well-dressed representative from TSL was waiting for me as I exited the plane. She whisked me through customs and brought me to the VIP lounge, where I sipped espresso and caught up on e-mails via wireless until Jimmy Owens, the larger-than-life valet, showed up and brought me to a deluxe hotel, smack-dab in the middle of Panama City.

One of the things I enjoy most about fishing travel is exploring the host countries. Although I'd soon be on a plane bound for one of the most remote fishing lodges on earth, I had a full day to tour Panama City, a thriving modern metropolis. Jimmy hooked me up with a classic old Panamanian gentleman named Luis Singh who took me on one of the most enjoyable half-day tours I've ever experienced. Winding through the districts in Luis' prized Crown Vic, I got the lowdown on the country's history: the building of the Panama Canal, the international flavor the city enjoyed as a result of the constant influx of trade and tourism, and the structural and political stability that grew from the decades-long partnership with the United States.

After witnessing a massive cruise ship squeak through the Miraflores locks of the canal, we passed by the nearly finished phalanx of skyscraping luxury condos that line the city's waterfront. This area of the city is as sophisticated and metropolitan as any that I've see in the States. In visiting a modern mall to get some last-minute electronic goodies for my cameras, I noticed that the quality of goods was high, but the prices were reasonable. The U.S. dollar is the country's official currency, which makes transactions effortless. International Living magazine ranked Panama City as one of the world's top five places to retire, and it's no wonder. Between the low cost of living, the surge in development and its central location, Panama City is clearly blossoming.

From January to March, TSL only offers weeklong bookings; that amounts to six days of fishing and seven nights. Half-week packages are available in December and from April to September. The stay is all-inclusive, except for extras like massages, drinks and tips. 

Fishing for Marlin in Panama

I am having a grand time here at Tropic Star Lodge in Panama. The setting here is incredible, and the fishing is fantastic. It's a fishing resort deep in the heart of the Darien Jungle in Panama, 100 miles from the nearest paved road- or maybe any road for that matter.

I wrote an article about this place for Sport Fishing Magazine after my first visit here, which you can read here Fishing and Travel Articles by Jon Schwartz

I came here to witness 'His Majesty the Black Marlin' jump within meters of the boat. They get huge here, and they hit big trolled baits about 10 minutes offshore, depending on the season. When I say big baits, I mean BIG. Here's a mate holding a live bonito bait just before he bridles it to a huge circle hook and tosses it overboard to entice a bite from a monster:

The marlin are pretty thick here right now- good numbers of them. The bite usually happens first thing. First baits in the water get bit. As soon as the reel starts screaming they back the boat down at warp speed and the fish launch themselves all over the place. The fights are full-on adrenalin rushes. It's hard to get good photos because the boat is backing down so hard to catch up with the fish and there is water coming over the transom.

Although the fish get huge, the Humboldt current here, according to several staff, make for an oxygen-poor environment at deeper depths. Instead of heading for the deep like they do in many other locations, the fish tend to stay near the surface. For that reason, they are able to use much lighter tackle- 50 pound rods and reels versus 80 and 130 pound gear that is used in many other big marlin locations- so the interaction with the fish is much more intimate. Smaller boats lower to the water with lighter tackle like they have here make for front row seats to big fish mayhem!

Last year, the first day on my first visit to Tropic Star Lodge, I lucked out with a photo that made it onto the cover of Marlin Magazine.

I kind of had a feeling that after having such luck on my last trip, I would have to do some dues-paying this trip, and my feelings were right. Although the fishing here turned out to be much hotter than last year, I did a lot of zigging when I should have been zagging. I accompanied one couple who caught 8 marlin here in six days ( I think 5 blacks averaging 400 pounds and 3 blues averaging 300), but their best luck occurred on days when I was on other boats.
This all started to mess with my head; I started to think I was bad luck, and went looking for all sorts of things that may have resulted in the hex. Could it be my white socks? I tried wearing the same shirt for 4 days, stuff like that.
Catching fish is hard, but catching a photo of a jumping fish is many times harder. Not only do I have to be on the right boat that is experiencing the action, but the fish has to jump, the lighting has to be right, I have to maintain my balance in the midst of a lot of action, my camera settings have to be spot on, and my gear has to be functioning perfectly. The below shot is one of me posing. In the heat of the battle it's all I can do to stand up straight, and you'd never find me sitting down.

Anyway, as soon as we got here, they had some children from the small village across the bay come and do some folk dancing. It was awesome! It made me realize I should have brought my kids ( I have three girls). My kids are bilingual, and my wife is from a similar-sized town in Mexico; they would have become best buddies with these kids right off the bat.

I took some neat pictures of them, with them, and then made a CD for their parents so they can get them printed the next time they travel to Panama City. For most, if not all, of the parents and children, these are the first photos that have ever been taken of them! You should have seen the look on their faces when I downloaded the shots and showed them to them on my laptop. They are such dolls. Que bonita!

I was super stoked to hang out with them too, but don't show my wife these pics of my new Panamanian beauties!

I talked with their teacher, and it turns out that that her husband is the head of the school at the village. I want to go visit the village tomorrow and hang out with the kids and their parents. Many of them work here at the resort. It's a special feeling, you meet the kids, and then go out on boats manned by their fathers. The personal aspect of it makes it just that much more exciting to me, because I am also a 3rd grade school teacher.

I am already thinking that the coolest thing to do would be to maintain contact with these kids and the teachers and their parents, and have them be pen pals with my own students in San Diego. They are all about the same age. I'll be able to speak with them as I can get by in Spanish, and my wife and daughters can help out with anything I can't handle. It would be terrific if I was able to combine teaching with my sportfishing photography and travel writing and involve my students as well as my own family!!!

I was fishing with Richard and Edie Kearley for several days as well. They were very fun to hang out with. Here is a photo I took of Edie on the way out to the fishing grounds.

And here's a photo of Richard 'going great guns' on a 60 pound tuna:

Below is a shot of Richard with a tasty dorado.There's so many dorado here, they are like pests. Pretty funny considering that these same fish would make for trophy fish on many other fishing excursions.

They ended up landing 8 marlin in 6 days of fishing, but almost all of them were landed on days that I wasn't with them. One day they had 4 black marlin! Of course I wasn't with them that day. Arrgh!!

I also accompanied famous fly fishing angler and multiple world record holder Margo Vincent and her grandson Kyle Vincent.

Kyle set a (pending) new world record for mullet snapper at 24 lbs! You can bet his grandma was super proud of him! Everyone kept telling him, "You realize you have the coolest grandma in the world, don't you?"

He also landed a 375 pound blue marlin earlier in the same day. Here's him fighting the big blue as Margo looks on from the bridge:

Pretty amazing for a 12 year old, no?!

Both Richard and Kyle kept Dockmaster Albert Battoo busy recording their various achievements. With his first black marlin in day one, Richard his Royal Grand Slam: catching one of every type of billfish in the world!

The funny thing is that the most elusive billfish, the spearfish, was actually the first one that he landed like 30 years ago. I took particular interest in this because I wrote a 2500 word feature article about spearfish that will be featured in the February issue of Marlin Magazine, which should be on newsstands in about 3 weeks.

Here's Richard having his Royal Grand Slam recorded by Albert Battoo.

And here is Albert, one day later, making the sign for Kyle Vincent's pending world record 24 pound mullet snapper.

In addition to taking fishing related photos, I enjoy portrait, scenic, and architectural photography. I took a photo of the spa area and got this neat shot of Marisol the masseuse working with a client:

In addition to taking fishing related photos, I enjoy portrait, scenic, and architectural photography. I took a photo of the spa area and got this neat shot of Marisol the masseuse working with a client:

Finally I ended my week's stay with a visit to the nearby village of Pinas.

I wanted to check out the computer lab that is being set up and meet up with some of the folks I met last year there.

Jose ( pictured on the right) works with Tropic Star and also lives in the village. He introduced me to the teacher of the school (on the left) and they showed me the lab. It'll be cool when it's up and running in the next couple of months so I can communicate with my friends down there!

On the way out of Pinas I met up with one of the mates of the boats that I had been on over my week's stay. His name is Alexi. He is Margo Vincent's favorite mate and is probably going to end up as a captain at some point.

He also happens to be super friendly and he introduced me to his children when I walked by the house. It's funny to see these guys chase around monster fish all day, every day, and then see them relaxing at home. What seems like extreme angling to many is for them another day on the water. They've undoubtedly wired and released thousands of huge marlin, perhaps as much or more than anyone in the world. (FYI "wired" means grabbed onto the leader, brought the fish to the boat, and removed the hook). Thrill seeking anglers from all over the world travel to Pinas Bay to take part in a ritual that these fellows perform as a matter of course. Here's marlin whisperer Alexi with children:

Last year, I took a lot of scenic and architectural shots when I was at the lodge. It turns out that some of my photographs will be included in the soon to be released book by Guy Harvey called Panama Paradise: A Tribute to Tropic Star Lodge.

The book has 334 pages, and in it, Guy Chronicles the beginnings of the lodge in 1961 to the present day. Needless to say I am thrilled and flattered to have my work featured in Guy Harvey's book!

I am writing an article about Panama for the World Billfish Series Magazine. The editor of the publication Sam White suggested that I might like to get some scenic shots of Panama City, so I hired Panama's best guide, Luis Singh, to take me on a tour of the city. I went with him last year but needed to get more material. I desperately wanted to get good night shots taken from on high that showed the city's skyline, but after touring the city with Luis, I began to think I might strike out.
Most of the skyscrapers in the city- and there are a lot of them-are closed to the public. They are the homes of the ultra wealthy. Not sure if you know but Panama has a lot of new development and new buildings.

Trump Towers type of stuff, but even richer, and a new John's Hopkins Hospital branch, a bustling modern business sector, and tons of high-cotton shopping malls that feature stores like Rolex, Gucci, and all the rest.

After a series of unsuccessful attempts at getting a good vantage point for a shot, I decided to get crafty. Luis let me off in front of a popular tourist spot, and suggested I try to find the best spot I could on foot. I talked my way into the lobby of a posh 51 floor condo high rise, and the bellman let me onto the exercise room on the deck of the 15th floor. I was so excited! He left me there alone, though, and the room was so hot, I ventured out into the hallway to cool off.
A couple walked by and we started talking. The next thing I knew they were asking me if I wanted to go up and take pictures from the penthouse on the 51st floor!!! The bellman came back to keep an eye on me and sees me with my new friends, so I say, "These kind folks are gonna take me up to the penthouse!" All he could do was smile.

I had with me my Nikon D700's and several of my favorite lenses, and I got some AWESOME shots that I will post and include in that article for the Would Billfish Series magazine. I was so happy to be up there by myself, I was simply ecstatic! I completely lost track of time, and when I returned to Luis's car two hours later he said in a panic, "What happened to you??"

I proudly pointed to the tallest building in the sky and said, "You see that one? I was on the penthouse taking pics of the city!!!!" We had a laugh about that and his eyes bugged out when I showed him the shots. Yahoo!!!

Take a tour of one the most vibrant cities in Central America. Discover the old Panama ruins of Casco Viejo, the original location of the city before pirates and disease destroyed the town. Also experience a progressive city of the future, boasting the banking capital of Central America, beautiful plazas, and breath-taking skyline views. Bring your camera, and open your mind to the culturally profound Panama City --  Panama City Tour

On this tour you'll get an up close and personal look at the historically significant changes being made to the famous Panama Canal. Share the canal with towering container ships, cruises, and other unique vessels as you see the canal's history and it's transition into the future. This is also a nature tour because you'll have the chance to see tropical flora and rain forest animals along the way, and you'll take a canoe trip through lake Gatun. Enjoy some swimming, fishing, and kayaking during the afternoon --  Panama Canal Eco Tour

This is a place you may only think exists in the movies, with it's luscious green vegetation, towering cliffs and mountains, and cascading waterfalls, but you can experience it first hand on this Anton Valley Day Tour. Enjoy a scenic drive along the Pan-American Highway, walk through elaborate gardens, and even visit a zoo. Bathe in the hot springs and waterfalls, and don't forget to browse the native Indian crafts at the local artisan market -- Anton Valley Day Tour

Ride the train for a unique and beautiful vantage point alongside the Panama City Canal, where you'll wind through historical spot after historical spot from Panama City to Colon. Visit the Gatun Locks, the Old School of the Americas, the First Sherman and San Lorenzo National Parks, and enjoy a buffet style lunch at the Sol Melia Resort & Hotel in Colon --  Panama Canal Train and the Caribbean Forts

If you want to really experience the Panama Canal, what's better than traveling down the canal on a ship!? Go through the locks just like any vessel as you experience first hand how the trip goes for an average ship making it's pass through the historic canal. Lunch is included, and the ship's accommodations are comfortable to make for a great trip down the canal --  Panama Canal Partial Transit

On this trip you get to fish in some of the best spots in all of Panama. Wake up early and enjoy the beautiful morning as you make your way along the lake searching and hunting down that perfect catch. After a full morning of fishing, return to the floating house to enjoy your delicious fresh catch and tell stories of your epic battles on the lake -- Panama Canal Fishing Tour

Underage Prostitutes Walk the streets of Central America

Story by Panama Visitor’s Guide

All through Central America, Panama, Costa Rica, Nicaragua and Mexico you can teen age prostitutes on the streets.

You drive through downtown Managua, Nicaragua after 10 P.M. and you see the streets lined with 13, 14, 15 year old prostitutes. They are there to provide income for the families. They are growing number of economic prostitutes, young girls forced to sell their bodies to make sure their families can pay the rent and have food on their tables. The police seem to look the other way, possibly some of them are paying them to do so. These young girls are looking to make $20.00 to $30.00 for the night.

In Tijuana Mexico, just across the border from California, the United States in Zona Rojo Section of town, that is the red light district. The streets are lined from one end to the other with Teenage Girls to young to gain entrance to bars where American Men have sex with girls over the age of 18. There is a police station in the Zona Rojo Section and on both sides of the doorway leading into the police station there are standing underage prostitutes. Girls from all over Mexico go to the border towns to send money to their families. Sex with a underage street girl is about $20.00 in the bars it is $60.00 for an hour.

In Costa Rica you find underage prostitutes along the streets of the capital of San Jose and at all the tourist beach towns. You also find them in the nightclubs and bars using forged identification cards or one of a friends or an older sister. This is all about the economics. Their families need this money to live on. Mother encourage their daughters and sons to go out and bring home money for the family. The average wage in Central America for a grown man is $12.00 a day if you can speak English it could be as much as $20.00. Maximum is about $700.00 but that would take a degree from the university. Girls on the street can Make up to $20.00 an hour while girls that work the bars can make $30.00 and $100.00 depending what kind of bar they are working in and if there are any North American’s Around, they pay the most for sex on the entire planet.

In Panama there underage prostitutes working the street in front of the hotel’s in the tourist areas, in the hotel’s and casino’s there are prostitutes working in bars looking for gringo’s and men from all over the world with greenback in their pockets. Most of these girls are Columbians who come from their home country to enjoy the riches of Panama. Panama City has a great number of wealthy families and these beautiful Columbian girls are much better looking than the local girls and can sometimes marry into a rich family or get someone from outside Panama to buy them a condo and a car, which makes it easy for them to fend for themselves. Older men are the normal pray to this system. They live all their lives making money and these women work all their lives taking it from them. Local girls are $30.00 to $50.00 and the beautiful Columbian’s are asking for $100.00.

Here is a little advice. Do not get caught with an underage prostitute in Central America that is a girl under the age of 18. You will do many years in Prison.

Some these countries have now included on their underage arrest law’s Uncles, Cousins, Brothers, Stepfathers and Fathers , it is now illegal for these people to sex with children. ment to spend $400 million in Chiriquí

Columbian Prostitutes being kicked out of Panama by Government of Panama mat decrese sex trade tourist's and the number of visitors to Panama

Panama Jack

San Blas Vacations

Story By Panama Jack

I had been searching for a great TourGuide for Panama and I had looked at hundreds of Tourguide websites and they all seemed to lacking, they eather had bad discriptions or bad pictures and then I stumbled on the website San Blas Tours and I knew I had found what I was looking for, a website that could provide information on tours in the San Blas islands. I spoke to the owner on phone and told him that I would like to link to his site to provide to the 18,000 visitors to my site every month the information on how to get to San Blas and how to get place to stay in San Blas and what  San Blas had to offer. I was amazed how much the owner of San Blas Vacations knew about Panama and how provide tours to people who would like to see Panama and of course San Blas. It is like a little secret in Panama only the locals know how to get there and where to stay in one of the most beautiful places on the planet. Here is the name of the company it is San Blas Vacations and here is their website

Enjoy your vacation in San Blas Ower is Leonardo Goffi and he speaks perfect ienglish.

call form the United States 1-954-678-9990 and do not forget to tell Leo Panama Jack sent you.