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Gmancopecito
  1/15/2017 16:15 EST

http://wantedsa.com/index.php/sections/world/184-usa/2085-north-american-tourists-canceling-travel-to-panama

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SunsetSteve
  1/15/2017 17:25 EST

That has to be the most suspicious site I have seen this week.

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llseldon
  1/15/2017 20:55 EST

I known 2 Americans in the tour business who are in trouble, one says she have to go out of business if she doesn't get $20k soon. The other says business is in the toilet, unhappy in Panama but can't afford to move back to the U.S.

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RICOBREEZE802MARK
  1/15/2017 22:51 EST

I posted on this some time before the canal was done. Panama needing workers, had to allow thousands of men to come in to work, with great pay for everyone. I have heard 30k to 100k outside workers. Then once the canal was done all these men, locals as well were use to having a high paying job, now nothing. some got hired on to work on the rail system, but many are now without work at all, no money, when once they had money to live a better life. now what? men trying to work or steal to provide for their families, because they are now use to having money and a better life, now that is gone, and they don't want to return to a life doing without.

These outside workers have been here long enough, they don't want to go back home, where there is nothing for them, and for many they have taken wives and had children with them. But many have no work visa, or any type of visa to stay in country.

I had my truck washed this week, four men worked on it at once. three of those were not born here, only one was, and that was in a small town outside of the city.

the government needs to start sending these men back out of the country. Immigration officers need to team up with the police force and start rounding people up and sending them out. Then and only then will your crime rate start to go down.
That is the truth of it, for people to lay that blame on expats? that is a joke. just like when the tourist market slowed a few years ago, costa rico shut down many places and fired local workers, then they too blamed expats for it all and their crime rate went up as well. why are we blamed? we make up around 1 or 2 percent of this whole country. most of us here own homes, a company, we hire workers ect. not steal and commit crimes.

I do agree on the new visa laws, if you are a expat and you want to live here, then get legal and get a visa, no more jumping to c.r. for three days and then back in. you are NOT A TOURIST. and soon they might stop that as well, so many months per year and that's it. It's not hard, show you are not wanted for a crime, and show you have the means to support you and your family. pretty simple. but many don't they use the law to go around it. soon that door will shut.

Plus a person in one of the parties is trying to stir the pot about the visa's and linking it to crimes, to promote their run for president. I know who but am to smart to post it here.

now my other point I wanted to make is tourist visitors are not down because of panama's crime rate, it's down because people around the world don't have the extra income to spend on a trip. a report today stated that most american's don't have 500.00 in savings.

It hit costa rico hard about three years ago, because their main income was from tourist. panama's is based on the canal. which is only hurt due to less ships bringing goods in. Look at Venezuela, Revenue from petroleum exports accounts for more than 50% of the country's GDP and roughly 95% of total exports. oil has dropped so their country is in deep trouble. today the president is forcing a 50 percent pay raise to min. wage jobs. Revenue from petroleum exports accounts for more than 50% of the country's GDP and roughly 95% of total exports. wow. their country is going down faster then the olympic did after hitting a ice berg. yes I know you think it was the titanic.

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caratkake
  1/16/2017 01:59 EST

I don't know where this is coming from but the US Dept of State has NO travel warnings for Panama. And the website looks very suspect.

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tony7240
  1/16/2017 03:11 EST

That's strange. We live in the very areas described. We are not experiencing this. Someone has confused Panama City with Caracas.

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tony7240
  1/16/2017 03:11 EST

That's strange. We live in the very areas described. We are not experiencing this. Someone has confused Panama City with Caracas.

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tony7240
  1/16/2017 03:11 EST

That's strange. We live in the very areas described. We are not experiencing this. Someone has confused Panama City with Caracas.

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tony7240
  1/16/2017 03:11 EST

That's strange. We live in the very areas described. We are not experiencing this. Someone has confused Panama City with Caracas.

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lapapuja
  1/16/2017 04:13 EST

Every year, at this time, Panama is full of tourists. This year is no different. I would not doubt there is more theft because there always is more this time of year. How do I know? I live in an area surrounded by hotels and walk around a lot. I have lived in this area for 10 years. One travel agent? I would give this article zero credibility.

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Debra730
  1/16/2017 06:01 EST

Live in Coronado and have not felt unsafe. Not sure where this original post has come from

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lapapuja
  1/16/2017 07:49 EST

Looks like someone got angry that they could not come to Panama and stay as long as they did previously on a tourist visa.

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StanleySankey
  1/16/2017 08:51 EST

I would characterize that article as a load of crap...

I haven't noticed any difference in the levels of crime or the attitudes of the Panamanians over the past several years.

There is a drop in tourists but that is due more to ecnomic conditions in the world than to a non-existant spike in crime in Panama.

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Gmancopecito
  1/16/2017 11:11 EST

There is an old saying in PTY. " En Guerra Avisada no Muere Soldado". Your choice!

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Gmancopecito
  1/16/2017 11:27 EST

I guess this is also crap:
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&cd=4&ved=0ahUKEwiols2cicfRAhUFLyYKHfc2BjAQFggSMAM&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbestplacesintheworldtoretire.com%2Fquestions-and-answers%2F1112-what-s-the-crime-rate-against-americans-in-panama&usg=AFQjCNGDS92t-Iyc58SDdnMUxnj5n4pyUQ&sig2=xHdVk_KC8luwdxv5relNJg

Nothing against Panama - I live here!!! But I read local and foreign news!!!

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Gmancopecito
  1/16/2017 14:49 EST

Another load of crap? Keep down playing the issue and good luck!

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&cd=4&ved=0ahUKEwjXzqnTo8fRAhUF5CYKHW1hAS4QFggSMAM&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbestplacesintheworldtoretire.com%2Fquestions-and-answers%2F1112-what-s-the-crime-rate-against-americans-in-panama&usg=AFQjCNGDS92t-Iyc58SDdnMUxnj5n4pyUQ&sig2=rVUDFnNIOasmXZZydViFJQ

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Panama2017
  1/16/2017 16:51 EST

Gman, that post you sent doesn't backup your fears. The latest post was from a year ago. Plus, most of the posts in the thread are positive, saying how safe Panama is. Maybe you attached the wrong link?

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StanleySankey
  1/16/2017 17:36 EST

I would agree Panama2017,

Not to say there is no crime in Panama, it however is certainly not rampant. Most is gang related and can usually be avoided by smart choices and maintaining situational awareness.. There are areas of Panama City I avoid going to same as I did in Vancouver, Toronto and Washington plus a whole laundry list of other cities that all have their bad spots. Certainly avoid Colon you are virtually gauranteed to become a statistic going there. Otherwise I find it relatively safe. I have more concern about the psychotic, wholly inept drivers here than violent crime.

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PanamaLou
  1/17/2017 06:17 EST

From email:
52-year-old Javier Tomás Rodríguez Quintero, a computer guy at the American Embassy, was slain late on Friday night, allegedly by a 22-year-old man who is in custody. As in found dead with 21 stab and cut wounds over much of his body after neighbors called police about the screams. It seems that the victim lived in the city but had a weekend place in Lidice, in Capira district north of the town of Capira. The suspect was identified by one or more witnesses as having left the scene with blood on him and was quickly arrested.

There are folks in the gay community saying that the victim was one of them and expressing concern that this may have been a hate crime.

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Panama2017
  1/17/2017 09:45 EST

Lou, why so many handles and login ids? llseldon, llactivities and now PanamaLou. You do realize that it is frowned on by moderators to carry more than n one online identity here.

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Christian86
  1/17/2017 11:35 EST

Gman, the link that you provide is to a private site of a financial crime consultant. I just skimmed through there web site and the article posted is not worthy of forwarding or referring to on this website. What you are doing is unnecessarily scaring potential visitors or expats interested to come to Panama by providing them with false information.

People who live here such as yourself know that the situation in Pananama is nothing like you or the article describes. If this was reality you would have already packed up and left the country.

We know of the problems that exist here but it is not up to us to resolve the issues as expats. This is a young democracy and we should take it as such as we also benefit handsomely of the advantages it provides. I have gotten to know the people as kind and not nearly as aggressive as in my native country and feel very safe and welcome here.

I agree with Stanley that the wreckless driving especially of buses and trucks is far more dangerous than any other potential threats at the moment. There is another statistic that should be addressed and publicized. It probably will not be addressed until a family member of a high ranking official gets affected.

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Gmancopecito
  1/17/2017 15:42 EST

Many will continue to down play the crime issue Remember " Silence is consent". If no one complains, others will come and authorities will think we are satisfied with their performance. I still say we have serious crime problem here.

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Panama2017
  1/17/2017 16:01 EST

Silence is assent, but I have not been a victim of any crime, nor do I know anyone who has been a victim of crime. That's the reality for me so this post doesn't jive with my experiences. Sounds like the same of true for others.

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SunsetSteve
  1/17/2017 16:18 EST

It sometimes seems to me that there is a large segment of society that allows their lives to be guided by fear - whether that fear is real or remote. Fear of terrorists, fear of immigrants, fear of failure . . . In my opinion, (having lost a wife and a son, each at 35 yrs) once you hit 60 or 65 you should be satisfied you made it that far, so get on with life without fear. Once your kids are out on their own you are free to live or die on your own terms. If you haven't done what needs doing by now, git 'er done for goodness sakes! You;re going to kick off in a few years anyhow! LOL

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Panama2017
  1/17/2017 16:26 EST

Amen SS

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Gmancopecito
  1/17/2017 17:01 EST

Christian 85. Have you ever been a victim of a crime here in PTY? If not, then you don't know. You can not speak for those of us who have. So continue to down play the issue. It's your call

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Lamastus
  1/17/2017 17:08 EST

I think crime is everywhere. As there are crooks everywhere.
I had my businesses and homes both burglarized in San Diego, Ca.
So far in Panama, No.
But I would say if you feel very uncomfortable where you are, Move.

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Gmancopecito
  1/17/2017 17:53 EST

Thank you Lamascus. That is a good advice. I should have thought of that. Do you have any areas in mind?

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Lamastus
  1/17/2017 18:07 EST

Your spelling is really bad. If you know of a place where there is no crime, please go.

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Gmancopecito
  1/17/2017 19:45 EST

Sounds as if your area is crime proof. Where is that? As for my spelling, don't worry about it. I don't. Worry about more important issues like how to protect yourself against an assailant. Your spelling quote is a distraction and don't insinuate that PTY is a Crimeless paradise. It's not. Hasta la vista!

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Panama2017
  1/17/2017 19:55 EST

Gman, we are saying exactly the opposite. Crime happens everywhere in the world. If we take reasonable precautions then we should otherwise live without fear.

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lapapuja
  1/17/2017 20:00 EST

Gman I agree there is too much crime in Panama I disagree with the original posted article that it has risen and has been more directed at Americans. That website has never been credible. I know its history. There is definitely crime in Panama. I've had my home robbed three times, been swindled once and was attacked by a taxi driver once. That is in the 23 years I have lived in Panama. In the U.S. in near the same amount of time I had my home robbed once, and one attempted robbery. The big difference was that in the U.S. came. investigated, and caught the robbers. In the Panama cases police did not even respond.

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Gmancopecito
  1/17/2017 20:08 EST

Gracias y buenas noches.

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Gmancopecito
  1/17/2017 20:09 EST

Okiedokie!!! Good night.

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Christian86
  1/18/2017 00:05 EST

Gman. You are correct in your analysis and observations. It was just the link that you provided from this private website that I did not find appropriate because it gives the wrong impression to people that are considering to visit or relocate here.

In the eleven years in Panama City that I have been living here with my wife and now teenage daughters I cannot report of any incident of violence. As I wrote earlier I find the majority of local fellow citizens here to be very kind, courteous and mellow characters.

My home has been attempted and broken into, but only when we were not home. We learnt from every incident and improved our security.

There are several areas in the city that I would not go to especially after dark. And there exist weird people that you want to stay away from, but so far I am not particularly concerned.

If you are talking about the future, I share your concern. My now 11 year old car was new when we got here and is now one of the oldest on the street and probably one the few that does not belong to the bank. I am concerned about the financial illiteracy of our fellow first generation drivers and home owners and how they will cope when they experience their first real economic downturn being as leveraged in credit as they are.

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llseldon
  1/18/2017 00:43 EST

So how do you feel about Casco Viejo CV?

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Lamastus
  1/18/2017 07:01 EST

Spelling may not matter to you, however that's
My name and I'm quite proud of it.

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Gmancopecito
  1/18/2017 09:57 EST

Have a great and safe 2017 Christian86. You are indeed blessed. Stay safe.

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golric
  1/18/2017 10:07 EST

President Varela said crime is not a problem. It is peoples "perception" that there is more now than years back.

Perception became the word in the news and the Memes about the subject were hilarious.

Panama is a very small country compared to others like US, Canada, UK, Mexico, Colombia, etc.

Organized crime and gangs related crime were not really a problem many years ago.
It is now a reality and we have to accept it. At the moment they are concentrated in certain areas of the country. As in any other cities in the world you need to be aware of your surroundings and do all you can do to protect yourself and family.

If you do that you should be ok. Every time I take a NY subway I follow up same precautions as in Panama and I feel safe.

When we visited Buenos Aires the hotel reception gave us a memo so that we were aware of what was going on. One example, kids jumping on you 3 or 4 to rob you and of course it was difficult for you to fight back. But I felt safe all the time I walked through the city which by the way it is one of the most beautiful cities in SA.

As someone mentioned here life is too short and we need to enjoy but always be safe.

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Gmancopecito
  1/18/2017 12:55 EST

Amen "golric". Unfortunately many folks downplay the issue. I was born and raised here. Back then there were no barred windows and you could sleep with windows open. Now we live like Parakeets. International Gangs I.e; MS 13 and others are here and you have to be alert like riding the subway in NY. If not, you may pay the price. Varela is crazy. He's surrounded by a militia 24/7.

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Gmancopecito
  1/18/2017 13:07 EST

Lamastus then you are living in the wrong country. Better start getting used to Latinos muspelling Lamastus since I don't believe it's a local name. And please dont insult my people here with your spelling correctness if you take it so seriously. I'm retired and have plenty time to play your game. By the way Happy New Year

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golric
  1/18/2017 14:31 EST

@ Gmancopecito:

You made me laugh. "We live like Parakeets" I am sharing with my friends.

it is true that Panamanians have bars all around their homes windows and doors. Very sad.

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PanamaLou
  1/18/2017 15:42 EST

"have bars all around their homes windows and doors. Very sad" And as you like to chat about other cities in other countries, so do the houses in the Miami area, not that it matters here. LOL
Back in the '90s before all the high rises in Paitilla my sister & I were visiting the brother of a woman our mother had worked with on the old Canal Zone (he was a doctor not that that mattered either) & he told us although he had a nigh fence around his back property he couldn't leave anything out because "they" would come over the fences & steal anything left out.
Today in Panama you do need bars on windows & door up to the 3rd or 4th floor in high rise building/condos.
Stay safe where ever in the world that you are.
Saludos amigos de Chagres, sonrisas
PL

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Gmancopecito
  1/18/2017 17:58 EST

I have steel bars and concrete ornamental blocks behind the bars. Both my doors are steel and rebar mesh between my ceiling and my roof. Motion sensing alarm, cyclone wire mesh with barbed wire on top. Around the property. And they still tried to get in. Go figure. No great looks but so far they haven't gotten in.

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Lamastus
  1/18/2017 17:59 EST

Lamastus have been quite a few years.
I have been here for four years, been coming to
Central America since I bought island in Belize
In the 80's.
Thank you for the correct spelling.
Have a good life

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Panama2017
  1/18/2017 18:23 EST

We live above the 40th floor and still have a reinforced door, security locks with double-throw, camera, and alarm. Everyone should take reasonable precautions.

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