well, it’s looking like all the kicking and screaming just might pay off. both prima panama, and noriegaville, are reporting the government has promised to restore the tourist visa to 90 days.
from prima panama -
Our sources in the Assembly have informed us that legislation is being introduced to return the length of stay for the tourist visa to 90-days (without requiring an extension) and issuing a temporary extension of the 20-year tax exemption on new property until December 31st, 2007. We have assurances that it has the full support of the President along with his cabinet.
so can we score one for democracy, activism, and free speech? can cojito finally get back to writing about beaches, rum, and whores? god, i hope so, ’cause i really need a drink.
but it all seems a bit too easy. oh, i want to believe. i really do. i pray to god this is the last immigration article i ever write. but what’s changed? the natives are still scared and angry. the prd still needs to appear tough on crime.
no doubt some of panama’s leadership still think a 30 day visa will stop colombian drug traffickers from entering the country. fair enough, we’re all entitled to our delusions. i still believe i win more at poker when i’m not wearing pants. at least i have the statistics to back it up.
i think what’s particularly galling about all this are the gringos who leap to their defense. for example, the panama guide has been a cheerleader for the 30 day visa. it’s rumored the guide’s owner soiled himself when the changes were first announced.
finally, here was a chance to purge the country of his harshest critics. now a smart man might ask himself - are my enemies less dangerous, or more dangerous, once they’re out of the country?
i’m no expert on thuggery, but i imagine it’s difficult to harass your enemies with deportation, bogus lawsuits, and stun guns when they’re safely banging llamas, and drinking pisco sours in peru.
but then it’s doubtful anyone in the expat community has ever accused this man of being smart; a content thief, bully, liar, sleaze, perhaps - but never smart.
i don’t want to sound overly dramatic, but anyone who speaks out in panama risks legal entanglement. that’s just the way it is. you know where we stand on this matter. and noriegaville, the panama news, prima panama, the many fine contributers to the panama forum, and panama cew.
the Spanish press in panama has been largely silent. Ruben blades claimed angry gringos were bad for panama. members of my own cult readership turned on me like rabid bats.
fine. but fair warning; at some point gringos will get tired of being fucked with. they’ll weary of being lied to. they’ll demand change, or they’ll move on. believe it.
and the suggestion, tossed out by the 30 day visa apologists, that there’s an unending supply of rich idiots who’ll replace those that are lost, is absurd. at some point word gets out, and even the stupid will stay home.
i’m not quite home yet. call me stupid, or naive. i don’t care. i still love panama. i still love its people.
so i kick and scream.
I’m happy for the possibility that the 30 visa may go away and u can do what you do best. I’m concerned that Sam & Paul enlisted the aid of an opposition candidate who grabbed on to this issue like flies on shit and is trying to slam the PRD with the issue. This makes it hard for the PRD to make the changes we need without looking real bad! I realise that the “Guide” mgmnt has rubbed some of u folks the wrong way but I’m a guy who calls um as he sees um and I have had nothing but VERY positive Interface with the “Guide” I totally disagree with your contentions in this regard!! Viva La Panama!
John
Comment by todbals — July 2, 2007 @ 2:53 pm
M-m-m-m-m-m-m-m-m-m, crow.
Comment by fastfreddie — July 2, 2007 @ 4:24 pm
Having just barely escaped Costa Rica with my skin, it would suck if Panama fell into the same habit of fucking with gringos for fun and profit. A good percentage of us here in Boquete have less than warm remembrances of our former host culture.
I’m still grooving on the locals here.
Comment by Pete — July 2, 2007 @ 9:20 pm
todbals - that’s cool. oddly, we encourage dissent at the cult of cojito. and you already know i’m full of shit.
i think as long as you don’t have any ethical objections to the stolen content, and you can stomach the bad, self-serving writing, or you’re careful to never cross the owner, you’ll be fine.
i’d rather not write about him. i don’t want to give him any more attention. but i consider it a public service to call it as i, and many other expats, see it - cheers.
pete - we’ll just have to wait and see how this plays out. but yeah, the natives are a lot friendlier than ticos.
Comment by cojito — July 3, 2007 @ 11:12 am
Hey, nice place you have here.
Comment by Don Winner — July 3, 2007 @ 3:43 pm
“the natives are a lot friendlier than ticos.”
Cojito, are you drunk again??
I’m with Pete.
Comment by Raul — July 3, 2007 @ 5:25 pm
Careful cojito…
it looks like donnie is casing out the joint. You likely will find some of your written content lifted for P(i)G usage. You know, the not for non profit panama related website.
But then panama has its roots deep in pillage, plunder, and piracy…
Comment by panamareg — July 3, 2007 @ 8:10 pm
…i’m no school boy and i know what i like…you shouldda heard her just around midnight…brown sugar! how come you taste so good?
Comment by marcopolo — July 4, 2007 @ 3:38 pm
Cojito, the Americans have been in Panama since 1903. They will never leave, get used to it. Anyway hope to see you get back to your funny and informative insights. I remember not to long ago reading and writing about Panama’s unique ways. Hurry the fuck back like us fast paced city dwellers would say. no offense.
later
Comment by rrroyo — July 4, 2007 @ 6:09 pm
” i win more at poker when i’m not wearing pants ”
Is this something that work for anyone or just you? Usually if I was playing poker and had no pants on it meant I was losing….
Comment by vieja — July 4, 2007 @ 7:26 pm
I for one will be very happy if the 90 day tourist visa is restored, mostly because cojito might have the time to start writing debauched sex and drinking stories again instead of worrying about when he’s going to get thrown out.
Comment by adam — July 5, 2007 @ 4:19 am
Adam - i’m not worried. they can’t kick me out. i just flew back to the u.s.
rrroyo - i take your point. i need to get back to wrting about panama. honestly, i’d rather not be covering immigration laws. boring, exspecially if you’ve come here looking for tips on panama’s best brothels.
but these changes do effect visitors to panama, and gringos living in panama. so i have to be honest about what’s going on.
Comment by cojito — July 6, 2007 @ 3:37 pm
you are doing a fine job, and looking forward to more insights. I already know all the brothels, as kids we loved “la Gruta Azul” I would say 90% of my buddies lost their virginity there. There was the Ancon Inn, where we would drink rum and cokes at Chinos liquor store next door. But before our rum & coke’s we would feast on clams and red sauce, peperoni pizza and a few cold Panama’s at Napoli’s. We where 13 to 15 year olds. We would travel to the “Inn” from Balboa Club House on these great buses called Chivas. “La Gloria” was also popular. And of course the original push buttom on the way to the airport “Campo Amor”. Many “I love you” there. Cojito now that’s knowledge.
Comment by rrroyo — July 6, 2007 @ 4:45 pm
I’m really looking forward to seeing how this all plays out. I’m coming to Panama next week for a short visit, then will be moving to Panama in September. I’m opening an office there so I won’t have to worry too much about the tourist visa, but things like this always make me wonder what’s coming around the next bend.
Thanks for this blog - it really taught me a lot (the comments as well as the main posts) and it’s already making me much more comfortable about my move. Salud!
Comment by jeff — July 10, 2007 @ 1:18 pm
i’m new to this site,looks like alot of fun.also thinking about a vacation in panama after my divorce,maybe even buying a place.
Comment by kevin — July 14, 2007 @ 6:54 pm