Panama

A Legacy of Corruption Marches on: New Insight into Panama’s Infamous Lucom Case

This analysis was prepared by COHA Research Associate Natalie Simpson
August 17, 2011
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One year after COHA’s first publication, Richard Lehman continues to fight for the rights of the poor children of Panama The Supreme Court’s corrupt ruling triggers a District Court prosecutor to take a stand, resulting in a judicial stalemate Panama’s underhanded politics exponentially increase value of Hacienda Santa Monica, the most precious asset in the Lucom estate   Lucom and Lehman Saga Carries On Just five years after his death, Wilson Charles Lucom, a...

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The Panama Canal at 97: A Tradition of Innovation and Opposition Continues

This analysis was prepared by COHA Research Associate Sandra Zuniga Guzman
August 17, 2011
The Panama Canal at 97: A Tradition of Innovation and Opposition Continues

On August 15th, 2011, the Panama Canal welcomed its 97th anniversary with an on-going project to expand its operating capacity and increase the value of its role in global trade. Although the Panama Canal expansion project has been cited as key to the country’s recent economic growth, concerns over high spending costs, environmental degradation, and labor disputes are unquestionably marring the project’s success story up to now. Legitimacy over the Canal expansion project’s ability...

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Panamanian Corruption Concealed Amidst Free Trade Negotiations

This analysis was prepared by Eric Jackson, Panama News, COHA Senior Research Fellow
April 28, 2011

• Obama welcomes Panamanian President Ricardo Martinelli in the midst of major scandal and corruption in Panama. • Once again, Obama falls short of his commitments to Latin America as he collaborates with Martinelli to negotiate a flawed trade agreement.   From April 27 to April 29, Martinelli and 11 other Panamanian officials are meeting in Washington D.C. to discuss free trade, regional security, and bilateral cooperation with various U.S. departments and organizations. Today...

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Strauss-Kahn’s Visit to Latin America: A New Economic Policy?

This analysis was prepared by COHA Research Fellow Eloy Fisher
March 21, 2011

President Obama is not the only world figure who has headed south recently. During the first week of March, director-general of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Dominique Strauss-Kahn, visited Latin America. During his fast-moving tour across Panama, Uruguay and Brazil, he sought to highlight some of the policies being implemented in the region in the wake of the recent global financial crisis. For the most part, Latin America has managed to fend off the...

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Martinelli’s “Chorizo Law” Gets Sliced, but Concerns Remain Over His Past and Potential Future Machinations

This analysis was prepared by COHA Research Associates Robin Burnette and Sonja Salzburger
December 9, 2010

• A leader without a program holds back his nation • Press freedoms continue to be limited • Looming U.S. free trade agreement with Panama has not been earned by Martinelli administration Since Panamanian President Ricardo Martinelli began to face a wave of repercussions from a recent string of controversial political maneuvers, he has tightened his grip on the nation and turned his back on democratic behavior, silencing the press along the way. In...

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