Newsroom Panama

Panama's Minister of Economy and Finance, Alberto Vallarino, has reacted to criticism of reductions in requested budgets for fiscal year 2011.

 The Deputy Police Commissioner of Colón has been removed from his post after "traces" of drugs were found in two vehicles assigned to police in the area under his command.

Politicians love to talk about the importance of education but when push comes to shove, and it’s time to open the purse strings, there is never enough money. Panama’s Ministry of Finance has instructed the Ministry of Education to slash $247 million from its 2011 budget request..

Three members of one family, were killed Sunday night in the community of Santa Isabel, in the province of Colón, on a bloody weekend that also saw the murder of two men in a Panama disco.
The family was at its residence when masked bandits entered the home and began firing.
Two girls managed to escape, according to preliminary reports. With these three killings, the death toll due to violence in the Atlantic province has increased to 88 so far this year.
 

 A 40 percent drop in prices for products powered by solar or electrical energy, has opened a window for Panama residents and businesses to install solar panels says Energy Secretary Juan Urriola

Jose Blandon, the new eminence gris in the administration of Panama’s mayor, Bosco Vallarino has accused the municipal treasurer, Emerardo Martinez. of negligence.

While Panama's Security czar Raul Mulino was planning a trip to Colombia to discus security, two young men were gunned down inside a disco on Calle Uruguay, Marbella,  an area that is promoted as a prime tourist attraction. One report said they were revenge killings. 

During the weekend, the largely gang related carnage continued in Chorrillo , San Miguelito and Colon. Mulino will be discussing organized crime and rug related gang activities.
A lone gun man entered People nightclub, opposite the Londoner Pub soon after 2 a.m. on Saturday (September 4)  and opened fire on a group of people.
Preliminary investigations indicate that the killer entered the nightclub and, without a word, fired on a group of people. 

Edwin Thomas Griffin, 25, was hit 13 times and died instantly. Juan Manuel Navarro,18 who was shot in the back, died in Santo Tomás hospital. While killer walked out and took off in a black pick up truck the rest of the disco goers fled in terror.
But in the rest of Calle Uruguay the partying was unabated.
Police are reviewing security camera videos cameras from inside and outside of the establishment to try to identify the killer, while criminology experts analyze 20 shell casings found inside and outside the club
 

The firing of   Panama government employees, described by some as a political clean out, continues.

Over 40 years ago in London, England they started painting major intersections with a yellow trellis pattern. It was a major step in stopping drivers from moving into an intersection even if the lights were in their favor, when their exit lane was not free. Now Panama is following suit,

After harshly criticizing Panama's government, amid signs that the ruling alliance may be fracturing, Representative. Jose Blandon Figueroa turned up on Friday at a ceremony in Los Santos, with the president, Ricardo Martinelli.
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“I was called by the President to accompany him on his tour. I am a member of Government and I came because I am not an enemy of the President or the Government. I saw it as an opportunity to talk directly” said Blandon, according to La Prensa.
His remarks came a day after his father and political analyst Jose Isabel Blandon, said that the government has a campaign against those who criticize the president. One of the critics is Blandon now acting as an advisor to Panama’s unpopular mayor, Bosco Vallarino.
In the meantime a large election poster showing Blandon and then presidential candidate Ricardo Martinelli, still adorns the corner of Calle 42 and Justo Arosemena, a well chosen site as traffic has to stop at the lights, giving drivers and bus passengers time to look at the signs of amity.
However, by law, campaign posters are supposed to be removed within days of the election, and the removal comes under the supervision of the city, Mayor Bosco and his advisors.