Panama

Get to know vampire bats — the good, the bad, and the ugly — in Skunk Bear's latest video.

VIDEO: Get To Know The Bloodthirsty (But Cuddly) Vampire Bat

6:14pm June 06, 2017

In Latin America, they drink the blood of big animals and can spread rabies. Livestock die. So do people. Ranchers want to wipe the bats out. Does anyone think that's a bad idea?

Queue Listen Now

U.S. troops man a roadblock on Dec. 26, 1989, in Panama City, preventing access to the Vatican Embassy where Panamanian leader Manuel Noriega was holed up. The U.S. forces played loud rock music in an attempt to bring Noriega out. He surrendered on Jan. 3

How The U.S. Military Used Guns N' Roses To Make A Dictator Give Up

2:56pm May 30, 2017

by Greg Myre

Panama's dictator, Manuel Noriega, surrendered to the invading U.S. military in 1989. He holed up at the Vatican Embassy, and gave up after being subjected to days of deafening music.

In this Nov. 8, 1989, photo, Panamanian military leader Gen. Manuel Noriega talks to reporters in Panama City. Panama's ex-dictator died Monday in a hospital in Panama City. He was 83.

Former Panamanian Dictator Manuel Noriega Dies At 83

10:31am May 30, 2017

by Colin Dwyer

General Manuel Antonio Noriega, who went from being a CIA informant to leading a nation and becoming a target of the U.S., has died. Noriega was ousted from power in 1989.

The Caribbean Tradition, an appetizer made with pickled pig's feet, chiriqui beans, and puffed pork skin, at Donde Jose. Chef Carles calls it his version of a ceviche.

Don't Know Panamanian Food? These Chefs Aim To Change That

7:00am December 27, 2016

by Kait Bolongaro

Compared to its neighbors, Panama's cuisine is mostly unknown, even to locals. A new generation of Panamanian chefs is forging a national food identity using indigenous ingredients and techniques.

A woman builds a fire at a migrant camp on the Costa Rica-Panama border. The area has seen a recent surge of migrants coming from Africa, hoping to make it to the U.S.

World News

Via Cargo Ships and Jungle Treks, Africans Dream Of Reaching The U.S.

10:39pm June 22, 2016

by Carrie Kahn

One of the lesser known tales of the world migrant crisis is taking place in Central America, where hundreds of Africans are landing with dreams of making it to the U.S.

Queue Listen Now

The head of the Panama Canal Authority, Jorge Quijano, center, opens the main valve to allow water into the flood chambers on the new set of locks on the Atlantic side of the Panama Canal in June 2015. The expansion of the canal, making it wider and deepe

A Wider, Deeper Panama Canal Prepares To Open Its Locks

7:03am May 11, 2016

by Carrie Kahn

The expansion of the Panama Canal, a $5 billion project, opens next month and aims to triple the canal's capacity with bigger ships. A Chinese freighter will be the first one through the new locks.

Queue Listen Now

Panama's economy, expected to grow by 6 percent this year, is a bright spot in Latin America. Many Panamanians believe their country has been unfairly tarnished by the Panama Papers revelations.

Panama Papers Fallout Hurts A Reputation Panama Thought It Had Fixed

6:03pm May 04, 2016

by Carrie Kahn

Panama has improved transparency in its banking and legal sectors, and its economy is a bright spot in Latin America. But the Panama Papers have hurt the country's reputation.

Queue Listen Now

Panamanian salsa singer Ruben Blades waves to the crowd before performing during the final round of Tango Salon competition at the 8th Tango Dance World Championship in Buenos Aires on August 30, 2010. MABROMATA/AFP/Getty Images)

Who's The Happiest Of Them All? And What's Their Music Like?

8:32am March 19, 2016

by Jasmine Garsd

Okay, so maybe it's Denmark.That's what a new survey says. Then again, another survey said it's ... Panama! To celebrate, we're sharing a Panamanian playlist.

Cuban President Raul Castro and President Obama shake hands as they meet on the sidelines of the Summit of the Americas in Panama City, Panama, on Saturday. It was the first substantive talk between leaders of the two countries in more than five decades.

Obama, Castro Sit For Historic Meeting At Americas Summit

6:07pm April 11, 2015

by Scott Neuman

The two leaders met on the sidelines of the gathering in Panama City. It was the first substantive meeting between leaders of the U.S. and Cuba in more than five decades.

Residents shout slogans during a protest march against the construction of the planned interoceanic canal, in San Jorge, Nicaragua, in October.

World News

Nicaragua's New Canal Could Be Environmental Disaster, Report Says

2:05pm February 12, 2015

by Scott Neuman

Scientists believe the project, which is reportedly underway already, could destroy a million acres of rainforest and contaminate Central America's largest source of drinking water.