All articles tagged with #panama
A monument honoring Panama's Chinese community was toppled by local authorities amid escalating geopolitical tensions involving the US and China over influence in Panama and the Panama Canal, sparking controversy and calls for investigation.
The demolition of a monument honoring the Chinese community in Panama has sparked outrage, with China condemning the act and Panama's president promising to rebuild it, amid political tensions and accusations of safety concerns.
Panama is experiencing a severe dengue fever outbreak in 2025, with 25 deaths and over 15,000 cases reported, primarily affecting the metropolitan area and San Miguelito, raising concerns about the health system due to the circulation of multiple dengue serotypes and a significant increase in cases compared to previous years.
For the first time in over two decades, US Marines and soldiers are back in Panama to conduct jungle warfare training, focusing on survival, navigation, and combat tactics in dense tropical environments, in collaboration with Panamanian forces, as part of a renewed focus on Latin America.
The Pentagon has resumed sending ground forces to Panama for jungle training, marking a shift in US military focus in Latin America, primarily aimed at regional security and signaling a strategic message regarding Venezuela, with plans to expand the program over the next year.
Since late 2024, Panama has reported 613 confirmed cases of Oropouche virus across seven regions, with the disease spreading from Colombia and transmitted mainly through insect bites. Symptoms include high fever, headache, and muscle pain, with risks during pregnancy and potential neurological complications. The health authorities recommend preventive measures, and the CDC has issued travel advisories, but no vaccines are currently available.
Patty Blue Hayes, a 60-year-old retiree, moved from California to Panama to reduce living costs but is struggling to find remote work after losing her main income source. Despite side hustles like Airbnb and YouTube, she has accumulated $13,000 in debt and plans to start Social Security at 62. Hayes faces challenges in her job search due to high demand for remote roles, lack of Spanish fluency, and limited networking. She remains optimistic about improving her financial situation through growing her YouTube channel and self-publishing.
Indigenous islanders evacuated due to climate change react to new housing provided by the Panamanian government, expressing mixed feelings about their relocation and the new living conditions.
The Guna community on Gardi Sugdub, a small island off Panama's Caribbean coast, is preparing to relocate to the mainland due to rising sea levels exacerbated by climate change. This move marks the first of 63 coastal communities in Panama expected to be displaced in the coming decades. The relocation involves significant cultural and lifestyle adjustments as the Gunas leave their sea-based way of life for new homes built on solid ground. The Panamanian government has invested $12 million in developing the new site, but the transition underscores the broader global impact of climate change on coastal regions.
The Guna community of Gardi Sugdub in Panama is preparing to relocate to the mainland due to rising sea levels caused by climate change. This move marks the first of 63 coastal communities expected to be displaced in the coming decades. The transition, driven by increasingly severe flooding and stronger storms, will significantly alter the Guna's traditional sea-based lifestyle. The Panamanian government has invested $12 million in developing a new site for the community, highlighting the broader global impact of climate change on coastal regions.
The Guna community of Gardi Sugdub in Panama is preparing to relocate to the mainland due to rising sea levels caused by climate change. This move marks the first of 63 coastal communities expected to be displaced in the coming decades. The transition, driven by increasingly severe flooding and stronger storms, will significantly alter the Guna's traditional sea-based lifestyle. The Panamanian government has invested $12 million in developing new housing on the mainland to accommodate the displaced families.
The Guna Indigenous community on Gardi Sugdub island in Panama is preparing to relocate to the mainland due to rising sea levels caused by climate change. This move marks the beginning of a larger effort to relocate 63 coastal communities in Panama. The transition, driven by increasingly severe flooding and storms, will significantly alter the Guna's traditional sea-based lifestyle. The government has invested $12 million in developing a new site for the community, but the cultural and economic impacts of the move remain uncertain.
The Darién Gap, a treacherous jungle region between Colombia and Panama, has seen a significant increase in sexual assaults on migrants, with aid groups documenting a spike in attacks over the past six months. The New York Times interviewed over 70 people, including 14 women who reported suffering sexual violence, highlighting the grim risks faced by migrants on their journey. The assaults, including aggressive touching and rape, have affected migrants from various countries, including Venezuela, Ecuador, Haiti, and Colombia.
Panamanian archaeologists uncovered a 1,200-year-old tomb in the Coclé Province filled with golden treasures and victims of human sacrifice, including circular gold plates, gold belts, and various jewelry items. The tomb, dedicated to a chief who died in his 30s, also contained the bodies of other individuals believed to have accompanied him to the afterlife. This discovery is significant due to its unique multiple and simultaneous burials, shedding light on ancient Panamanian burial practices.
Archaeologists in Panama have discovered an ancient lord's tomb at El Caño Archaeological Park, estimated to be about 1,200 years old, filled with gold treasures and sacrificial victims. The tomb, believed to belong to a high-status chief from the local Coclé culture, contained an array of gold artifacts and possibly dozens of sacrificial victims buried to accompany him to the afterlife. The excavation at the site is ongoing, and the discoveries are said to hold both economic and incalculable historical and cultural value.