Welcome to the Panama Weekly News Roundup! Here’s the latest.
Panama hosts 4-team World Baseball Classic qualifier
This week, Panama is hosting the World Baseball Classic during one of its qualifier rounds in the tournament. There will be two games played at Panama’s Rod Carew Stadium, between Colombia and Spain, followed by Panama and France.
The Panama City WBC qualifier is one of four being held around the globe in 2016 to finalize the field for next year. While Australia defended its home turf in Sydney and secured its spot in the 2017 WBC, another qualifier will be held simultaneously this weekend in Mexicali, Mexico, before the final one will be held in Brooklyn, N.Y., in September.
Panama enters the qualifier looking to reach its third WBC tournament, after going a combined 0-5 during the 2006 and ’09 tournaments. Spain looks to return after making the 16-team bracket as a surprise entrant in 2013 before going 0-3 on the world stage. Colombia and France, meanwhile, have never reached the WBC tournament.
Source: MLB.com
A new Panama fights an old enemy: Corruption
Since President Juan Carlos Varela took control of Panama in 2014, one of the biggest campaign promises he made was to tackle corruption head on. So far, he’s been good on his word.
Panama, one of the United State’s most reliable Latin American partners, recently issued a warrant for the arrest of a former president, Ricardo Martinelli, claiming that he committed numerous high crimes during his 2009-2014 tenure, including using a domestic surveillance system to spy on his political opponents. That the U.S. is a bit player in this unfolding national drama is not surprising: bilateral commercial, security, and political relations with Panama run long and deep.
As a matter of fact, the U.S.’ refusal to play ball with Martinelli’s paranoid demands to wiretap his opponents is a testament to the enduring strength of America’s special relationship with Panama, which goes back more than a century.
Source: The Hill
Lufthansa is now operating non-stop service between Panama City and Frankfurt
While Emirates has made news by delaying their new Panama non-stop route, one carrier is now making headlines for completing theirs. Earlier this month, the first non-stop flight between Frankfurt and Panama City was completed. And so far, it looks like a success.
The German airline has a new bilateral codeshare agreement with Copa Airlines, one of Central America’s leading air carriers, which is based in Panama City, and offers a wide range of onward travel options.
Travelers can fly-on with Star Alliance partner Copa Airlines from Panama City to any of 73 further destinations in Ecuador, Venezuela, Peru and Costa Rica.
Lufthansa Airlines is a German airline considered since 2009 as the largest airline in Europe. Its base airport is Frankfurt International Airport Menoy Munich is becoming a second nerve center of the company. Hangars for repairs are in Hamburg.
Source: The Visitor Panama
5 Jet-Setter Island Escapes In Panama
Panama has a lot of coastline, and it’s well known. But did you know that Panama has literally hundreds of beautiful pristine islands as well? In fact, many of these islands are now being frequented by the luxury travel set; and that’s great for business and tourism in the country.
How Panama Is Becoming The Next Luxury Hot Spot
While the city is a nice place to be, there are several islands located off Panama’s coast that are still a bit of a secret. Here are some of the most exclusive, secluded, and unique getaways available in Panama for today’s jet-setters…
Source: PTY Life
