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Welcome to the Panama Weekly News Roundup! In this week’s roundup, we take a look at why Panama is the cheapest city in the Western Hemisphere, a Jamaican delegation headed our way to explore logistics, and why it’s “democracy or nothing” for Panama’s foreign policy, when looking at the current situation in Venezuela. Here’s the latest:

Jamaican Delegation Heads to Panama for Logistics Summit

Neighboring Jamaica looks to make an impression next week  as they send a delegation to Panama for an international logistics summit. The island nation, which shares proximity to Panama and other countries in Central America, is looking to make valuable relationships with both government and private interests in Panama during the summit.

The LATAM Ports & Logistics Summit, according to a JAMPRO release, provides a global stage to promote Jamaica as the logistics hub of the Caribbean and to learn about changes taking place in the port and logistics sector while networking with industry leaders. The mission will also involve scheduled meetings with potential investors and other government officials.

Source: JamaicaObserver.com

Panama 100 Years Later: Take a look at what has changed, and what is to come

As the Panama Canal approaches its 100-year anniversary, there is a lot of focus on what the historical impact of the canal has been, and what lies in store for the future. Read more about one journalist’s recent experience, after spending a week reporting on the canal and its movements.

A trip I recently took to Panama entailed becoming a member of the trip sponsor, the , whose namesake began building the Canal pursuant to the   Gran Colombia. The U.S. set up the Canal Zone as a separate entity, governed under Delaware law, with a U.S. governor.

The September 7, 1977 Panama Canal treaty, which came into effect October 1, 1979, provided for transfer of full control to Panama on December 31, 1999. Spurred by pressures arising out of the shooting of demonstrating student-nationalists by U.S. soldiers — at the behest of an addled garrison commander — in 1964, the treaty negotiated between the Carter administration and Panama’s dictator, Omar Torrijos-Herrera, proved a rare foreign policy triumph for Carter.

Source: The American Spectator

Panama Stands Firm: All or Nothing for Democracy in Venezuela

Despite weeks of turmoil in Venezuela, Panama stands firm on its grounds of open dialogue in Venezuela, and the possibility of a democratic solution to the current situation between opposition groups and the government:

Since March 5, when Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro announced the severance of diplomatic and trade relations with Panama for allegedly “conspiring” against his government, President Ricardo Martinelli has taken an active policy in defense of Venezuelan democracy, and against the dictatorial regime of Nicolas Maduro. Initially the head of the Central American nation merely called for a special meeting of the Permanent Council of the Organization of American States to address the current crisis, but now he is not holding himself back to denounce and uncover Maduro’s undemocratic, corrupt, and overbearing behavior.

Source: PanamaPost.com

Panama is the Most Affordable City in the Western Hemisphere

When looking to move overseas, the cost of living/doing business is key. It’s important to know how much you, or your business, will need to spend on a regular basis to get by. More importantly, it’s important to know if these prices will remain stable for the future, and how far your money can get you on your initial investment. Here’s the latest on this issue from our blog:

The cost of living in Panama City can vary, depending on what type of lifestyle you choose to lead, what you want to do with your money, and where you want to live. However, basic goods and services are nominally cheaper than their equivalents in North America, Europe, and many parts of Asia and the Middle East. While there’s no uniform number of what it costs for everyone, the basic “daily basket” of goods can be as little as half of what it is in neighboring countries in the region. Continue reading more about Panama cost of living.