MIAMI (Reuters) – A U.S. judge on Tuesday approved the extradition of former Panamanian strongman Manuel Noriega to face money laundering charges in France when his long Florida prison sentence for drug smuggling ends next month.

The decision by Magistrate William Turnoff followed a separate court ruling last Friday rejecting arguments from Noriega’s lawyers that his status as a “prisoner of war” under the Geneva Conventions meant he had to be immediately returned home when his U.S. sentence ends on September 9.

“This court will issue a certificate of extraditability with respect to Gen. Manuel Antonio Noriega,” Turnoff said at the end of a 30-minute hearing in Miami.

Turnoff said he would issue the extradition order on Wednesday for the Read more

The purchase of real estate in Panama can be confusing and uncertain if you are not well guided, or it can be a very pleasant experience. One of the most prevalent qualms within foreigners is whether or not the asked price is fair for a particular property. Sometimes it is difficult, even for locals, to determine what the asking market price for a particular property is.

1.The easiest way to ensure that you do not pay much more for it, is requesting for an appraisal of the property. Even if none is available, the cost of having one done is minimum and possible out of pocket expenses well worth it, because it is common to see very similar properties, even Read more

A little history will help set the stage:

I have been coming to Panama for almost four years now (before the rapid real estate development, before the Veneto and before it became the hot place to be). My Spanish is limited so I searched out a driver/confidant/helper/translater with whom I could partner to make my experience more pleasant. I was going to be setting up a business, buying a condo and figuring out the lay of the land and I needed someone to help me work the system. You know how we “gringos” are so inpatient.

My first attempts were not good. I tried several drivers with English skills and was severely disappointed. At first, they were all good. Read more

If you are going to Panama, do yourself a big big favor and stop in at La Fortuna on via Espada. You can buy extremely nice suits, jackets, pants and shirts from a group of skilled tailors at sharply discounted prices. It is the norm to buy a $1000 suit for $350 except it has a custom, perfect fit.

Here is how it works:

1. First you call Carlos Aleman – the preferred guide and driver of the Panama Gringo and he will take you right to La Fortuna. Call him at 507-6645-7075. More Info about Carlos here

2. Upon arrival to La Fortuna, take a minute to visit the real Tailor of Panama in the back Read more

Royal Caribbean will operate 17 southern Caribbean itineraries December 2008 through April 2009 from Colon, Panama, the cruise line announced this week, marking the first time the line has established a homeport by the Panama Canal. The seven-night voyages on Enchantment of the Seas will call on such ports as Cartagena and Santa Marta in Colombia, as well as Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao. The decision to homeport in Colon “allows more travelers more convenient opportunities to enjoy a Royal Caribbean cruise,” said Adam Goldstein, president of Royal Caribbean International. Visit [www.royalcaribbean.com].

A visit to Barro Colorado offers the opportunity to discover the splendor of a humid tropical forest.

Barro Colorado, the largest forested island in the Panama Canal waterway, is part of the Barro Colorado Nature Monument (BCNM) and is the site of an internationally recognized biological research station.

The wildlife there is extremely diverse. There are probably thousands of insect species and more than 120 species of mammals, nearly half of which are bats. If you are patient and observant, you will discover amazing things. You will learn about research in progress and about the rich natural history of Barro Colorado. We hope to pique your interest in tropical ecosystems, because you are key to the protection of Read more