Welcome to the Panama Weekly News Roundup! Here’s the latest.
Chile’s police thwarted Nazi plot to destroy Panama Canal in second world war, declassified files show
Nazi agents in Chile plotted to destroy the Panama Canal around the time of the Second World War, declassified files show, an act that would have changed the “history of the whole world”.
One lawmaker suggested the documents, which were made public on Thursday by the Chilean equivalent of the FBI, could also indicate there were business or political figures in the South American country at the time who backed the Nazis.
According to the 1937-1944 files released by Chile’s investigations police, the force’s counterintelligence unit thwarted the plan after it detained the people leading it in the country’s main port of Valparaiso. No other details on the plot were provided.
Source: The Telegraph
Who Built the Panama Canal?
On June 19, 2017, President Trump met with Panamanian president Juan Carlos Varela and commented, “The Panama Canal is doing quite well. I think we did a good job building it, right?” President Varela looked stunned and Twitter lit up with derision and jokes.
For more than one hundred years the Panama Canal has been a flashpoint for how Americans think about themselves and the world. Trump’s comment seemed clueless because Americans’ understanding of sovereignty and US power in the world has changed. Almost twenty years ago, at long last, the United States transferred the Panama Canal to Panama. Panama’s ownership of the canal constructed through the heart of its territory has changed the story — and the history — in complex ways.
Source: Jacobin Magazine
Panama’s Juan Carlos Varela met with US President Donald J. Trump
Donald Trump’s encounters with world leaders have been anything but boring. From his infamous white knuckle handshake with the newly elected French President to reportedly hanging up the phone on the Australian Prime Minister mid-conversation after yelling at him, it would be safe to say he has upended the usual diplomatic order.
In a similar vein, the President has now used a bilateral meeting with Panama’s President on Monday to boast about building the Panama Canal. For the record, the 48-mile waterway in the Central American country is a century-old canal he of course did not build.
Sat side by side while cameras flared, the mogul-turned-politico claimed he and Mr Varela had many important issues to discuss, but nevertheless found time to declare: “The Panama Canal is doing quite well. I think we did a good job building it, right – a very good job.”
Source: The Independent
Island Hopping in Panama: Where to go for a unique, tropical getaway!
Panama is full of islands. Known as one of the most diverse tropical countries on earth, Panama has a unique landscape that includes hundreds of the most beautiful islands on both coasts. Whether you’re moving to Panama, or just visiting Panama, checking out the islands is sure to be high on your agenda. With so many islands to pick, you’ll literally never run out of places to go. You may, however, want to narrow down your search. Here are a few of our suggestions for a beautiful Panama island getaway.
The archipelago of San Blas is a sight to be seen, and really a special kind of treat for more “off-the-grid” travelers. The area consists of over 400 islands Caribbean, with only about 10% of those inhabited by people. The islands are native territory, managed and lived in by the Kuna Yala tribe. We recommend getting a tour of the islands from one of the many groups in the city that offer the services, as it’s pretty hard to navigate out there alone. Keep in mind that there is sparse electricity, and no real luxury amenities (which is a big draw for many), so if you’re used to resort travel, this may not be for you. It’s as close to a trip back in time as you’ll get in all of Panama.
Source: International Relocation Firm Blog
