Panama

Expanded Panama Canal Officially Opens

Copa Begins Daily Panama City-San Francisco Flights

A new gateway to the region By the Caribbean Journal staff Panama-based carrier Copa Airlines has officially launched daily nonstop flights between Panama City and San Francisco, Calif. The flights provide a new gateway to Central America and to the …

Copa Airlines Officially Launches Panama-New Orleans Flights

Above: a Copa plane By Dana Niland CJ Contributor Copa Airlines has officially launched nonstop service between Panama City’s Tocumen International Airport and Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport. With the new service, New Orleans becomes the airline’s 11th US …

Copa to Launch New Orleans-Panama Flights

Above: a Copa plane By the Caribbean Journal staff There will soon be a new source market for one of the Caribbean Basin’s largest hubs, Panama. Copa Airlines announced Thursday that it would be launching nonstop service four times a week …

Hilton Worldwide Expands in Panama

Above: the new Hampton by Hilton Panama By the Caribbean Journal staff The Caribbean Basin’s hotel boom is surging. Hilton Worldwide announced the opening of its latest hotel in the region this week, the new Hampton by Hilton Panama in …

First Hyatt Hotel Opens in Panama

Above: the new Hyatt Place hotel in Panama By the Caribbean Journal staff The first Hyatt Place hotel has opened in Panama. The Hyatt Place Panama City/Downtown is the first Hyatt-branded hotel to enter the Panamanian market, and the latest …

Panama President Visits Europe

Above: Panama President Juan Carlos Varela in Rome (Photo: OP Panama) By the Caribbean Journal staff Panama President Juan Carlos Varela is on an official visit to Europe this week, with Italy the first stop. On Thursday, Varela headed to …

John Kerry, Panama Vice President Meet

Above: Panama Vice President Isabel de Saint Malo de Alvarado By the Caribbean Journal staff United States Secretary of State John Kerry met Tuesday in Washington with Panama’s Vice President, Isabel de Saint Malo de Alvarado. The talks were a …

Hilton Debuts in Panama

Above: the new Hilton Panama By the Caribbean Journal staff Hilton has opened the brand’s first-ever property in Panama. The new Hilton Panama has officially debuted in Panama City, part of a 70-story mixed-use complex. The 347-room hotel, which was …

Remembering the West Indians Who Built the Panama Canal

Above: the new plaque memorializing West Indian workers at the canal By the Caribbean Journal staff The Panama Canal turns 100 on Saturday, and Panama is being joined by countries around the world in celebrating its centennial. But the dream …

New Board For Panama Airport

Above: Tocumen International Airport in Panama By the Caribbean Journal staff Panama City’s Tocumen International Airport has a new board of directors. Panama President Juan Carlos Varela signed a decree this week designating the new directors and officers of the …

Air Canada Launching Nonstop Service to Panama City

Above: an Air Canada flight By the Caribbean Journal staff Air Canada is launching service to Panama City, Panama, the carrier announced. The new thrice-weekly service will launch Dec. 17, 2014. Air Canada will become the only Canadian carrier operating …

Juan Carlos Varela Sworn in As New President of Panama

Above: New Panama President Juan Carlos Varela By the Caribbean Journal staff Juan Carlos Varela was officially sworn in as Panama’s new President on Tuesday. Varela succeeds outgoing President Ricardo Martinelli, who had served in the post since 2009. Varela …

Panama President Visits Kosovo

Above: Panama President Ricardo Martinelli in Kosovo (Photo: OP Panama) By the Caribbean Journal staff Panama President Ricardo Martinelli continued his European tour this weekend with a visit to Kosovo. The trip included a meeting with Atifete Jahjaga, the president …

Panama’s Martinelli Visits Israel

Above: Panama President Ricardo Martinelli with Israeli President Shimon Peres By the Caribbean Journal staff Panama President Ricardo Martinelli continued his tour abroad on Thursday with a visit to Israel. Martinelli, who will leave office in July, held a bilateral …

Panama President Concludes Spain Trip

Above: Panama President Ricardo Martinelli in Madrid (Photo: OP Panama) By the Caribbean Journal staff Panama President Ricardo Martinelli concluded his trip to Spain this week with a meeting with the country’s leadership. Martinelli is closing up his term in …

5.1-Magnitude Earthquake Causes Shaking in Panama, Costa Rica

Above: a map of the quake (graphic: United States Geological Survey) By the Caribbean Journal staff A 5.1-magnitude earthquake struck early Wednesday morning off the coast of Panama, according to the United States Geological Survey. The quake, which occurred around …

Panama Chooses New President

Above: President-Elect Juan Carlos Varela By the Caribbean Journal staff Panama has picked its next president, Juan Carlos Varela, who defeated challenger Varela, who is currently the country’s vice president, received just over 39 percent of the vote, topping Navarro, …

Panama: IDB Approves $20 Million Loan For Rural Electrification

Above: Panama By the Caribbean Journal staff The Inter-American Development Bank has approved a $20 million loan to Panama to help finance a rural electrification programme in the country. The project aims to provide electricity for 10,000 rural households, many …