Latest news with #Panama
Irish Times
7 hours ago
- Politics
- Irish Times
The immigrant familes fleeing Trump's US: ‘I had to pack up my little things and leave. They have painted us as criminals'
For Yessica Rojas, the choice was clear. After less than two years in Missouri , she and her two children had to leave. The reason, she said, were stories about Venezuelan mothers like her that had gone viral on social media. Rojas heard they had been deported to Venezuela while the US authorities held on to their children. 'It just isn't worth it now,' said Rojas (29), explaining her decision to leave the United States. The stories are not just rumours: This year, a Venezuelan two-year-old called Antonella by her family remained in foster care while her mother was sent back to Venezuela and her father to a prison in El Salvador . (Antonella has since been returned to her family .) READ MORE Rojas left Branson, Missouri, the same week. Yessica Rojas with her children Yessiel, aged three, and Kenyerly in Puerto Obaldía, Panama. Photograph: Federico Rios Escobar/New York Times Episodes like this one have sent shock waves through immigrant communities, accomplishing what the Trump administration's warnings – and even the promise of $1,000 for those willing to 'self-deport' – alone could not do: they have persuaded at least some migrant parents to leave the United States. It is not clear how many people have abandoned their US lives since president Donald Trump began his second term. A recent flight carried about 65 people who opted to leave for Colombia and Honduras, according to the Trump administration, and individual stories of immigrants leaving voluntarily have emerged across the country. Tricia McLaughlin, a spokesperson for the department of homeland security, said in a statement last week: 'It's an easy choice: leave voluntarily and receive a $1,000 check or stay and wait till you are fined $1,000, arrested and deported without the possibility to return.' She added: 'We encourage all parents, who are here illegally, to take control of their departure through the CBP Home app.' Rojas left her home country of Venezuela two years ago and first spent a spell living in Colombia, she said. She packed up her son and daughter in the summer of 2023 and made her way to Missouri, after the three crossed the US-Mexico border and turned themselves over to authorities to request asylum. They ended up in Branson because a friend had settled there. Acclimatising to the small Ozarks city was not easy, Rojas said. But gradually she found her way, discovering second-hand stores for winter clothes and finding the two jobs that allowed her to buy ice cream for her daughter, she said. Then came 2025, and, with it, Trump's new immigration policies, which to her seemed to take particular aim at Venezuelans. The story of Antonella went viral on TikTok and in WhatsApp groups. Rojas said the threat of losing her children – Kenyerly (eight) and Yessiel (three) – ate at her, and she immediately began to fear for them. She asked a lawyer about seeking help from the US government to leave the country, which officials have described as 'the safest option for illegal aliens'. But Rojas said she was ultimately too scared to have any contact with the authorities. Instead, she left quietly, giving short notice at her restaurant and housekeeping jobs, not saying too much to her children's teachers at school. She sold the used grey Chevrolet that she had scrimped and saved to buy for $800 so she would not have to walk to work any more. 'I had to pack up my little things and leave again,' she said. The family set out in late April. A fellow passenger takes a photo of Yessica Rojas and her children as they travel between Panama and Colombia by boat. Photograph: Federico Rios Escobar/New York Times Over the next few weeks, Rojas and her children took buses to Texas and to the US border, where two years before they spent five days in a detention centre, sleeping under crinkly aluminium blankets and eating frozen burritos that made Yessiel, then still a baby, sick. In Texas, 'the bus was full of Venezuelans,' Rojas said. 'They said they'd rather leave than go through something bad there,' she said, adding of US officials: 'They have painted us as criminals.' In Mexico, the family curled up on more long bus rides – from Monterrey to Mexico City to Tuxtla, near the country's southern border, where Rojas's brother and his family joined her. Then they travelled farther south, finally boarding a boat in Panama for an eight-hour trip along the Caribbean Coast to the edge of the fearsome jungle they had once trekked through on their way north: the Darién Gap . Along the way, they met other families like theirs: with single mothers who had left the United States, terrified of being separated from their children. These mothers, too, were Venezuelan; many had fled their crisis-torn country years before and given birth to sons and daughters in other countries. This added to their fear that if they were to be deported from the United States, their children would be held by the immigration authorities or sent elsewhere. In the Panamanian port town of Puerto Obaldía, on the edge of the Darién Gap, Rojas took out her phone this month and found a photo: It was of her, Kenyerly and Yessiel as they prepared to cross the Darién in July 2023. [ Worn out, ripped off and determined: Migrants hope they are only passing through Panama Opens in new window ] 'Look how little they were,' she said. Now, she tried to prepare them for what might lie ahead. Not a week in the jungle, crossing swift-moving rivers, hiking until nightfall in the mud. Not a scramble across the US border to reach a new country with an unfamiliar language. But bare shelves, a life without the ice cream and the other small luxuries she had finally been able to afford. Rojas admitted she herself wasn't ready for what she might find in Venezuela – the unrest she had fled had turned into a full-scale humanitarian crisis, with sky-high prices alongside regular shortages of basic goods and medicines. [ Maduro sweeps Venezuelan regional vote marked by low turnout Opens in new window ] 'It's going to be a drastic change,' she said. 'We really don't know how it's going to be.' An officer with Panama's National Border Service at a checkpoint for migrant boats on the island of El Porvenir, in the San Blas archipelago of Panama. Photograph: Federico Rios Escobar/New York Times Still, she tried to get the children excited, reminding them how happy their grandparents would be to see them. In Puerto Obaldía, her son ran circles around her, playing with other boys who had just got off the boat in the tiny jungle village. 'Let's go!' he shouted over and over again, in English. 'Let's go!' Last week, Rojas finally arrived in Venezuela. In a phone call, she said she was grateful to have made it safely back to the city of Mérida, even if food prices were high and the journey home had cost her everything she had saved: more than $2,000. She feared she had little to show for all her struggles. But she had her son and her daughter. – This article originally appeared in The New York Times
Forbes
17 hours ago
- Business
- Forbes
Panama's Bitcoin Strategy Takes-Off Through Conferences And Regulation
The skyline of Panama City with its skyscrapers in the financial district at sunset, Panama. Panama's Bitcoin Strategy keeps developing. The Central American country wants to become a new booming crypto hub. Last month, we had an announcement from Panama City's mayor, Mayer Mizrachi that the city will start accepting BTC and some cryptos for taxes. And now closing May, Mizrachi took the Bitcoin Conference scenario in Las Vegas, populating some ideas like paying the Panama Canal transit fee with bitcoin, and showcasing how important the country could become in the industry in the short term. Panama's bitcoin strategy could transform the country into a natural bridge between traditional finances and cryptocurrencies. Panama is known for its strong banking system. But when it comes to bitcoin and crypto, most of the efforts and initiatives have been happening with a low profile. But now, since last month, Panama City anounced the the voluntary use of cryptocurrencies as a method of payment for municipal taxes partnering with the self-described crypto-friendly bank, Towerbank for the project. According to Major Mizrachi, the Panamanian bank was selected because it is the only one offering such services. This agreement was announced in late April during the Panama Blockchain Week conference, as reported by the municipality. The agreement allows the municipality to integrate a new option for online payments. The key element here is that the provider is Towerbank, and it enables BTC, ETH, USDT, and USDC payments. "They receive the payment in crypto, and the municipality receives dollars, so no new law is needed for Panama or the public sector to adopt Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies," Mizrachi explained to me in an interview. "This basically expands the available methods for citizens and businesses to fulfill their tax obligations. Beyond that, it's a strong statement: Bitcoin is here to stay, Panama knows it, and as the financial capital of Central America and the Caribbean, we are adopting it," Mizrachi underscored. The Towerbank announcement, the thematic conference where it was done, the participation of the major in the Bitcoin Conference in Las Vegas, Panama's potential recognized by experts and referents for the Bitcoin community like Stacy Herbert or Max Keiser, and the will of local communities, entrepreneurs, and government all seem to be aligned to clear a path of adoption. But Panama's bitcoin strategy, among the different pieces, also has a regulatory framework in the works. In April 2022, Panama's National Assembly passed Bill No. 697, which aimed to regulate the use of cryptocurrencies and digital assets, but in June 2022, President Laurentino Cortizo partially vetoed it. But in 2025, things are changing. Congressman Andrés Solís Arias proposed a new draft bill in March, and then crypto efforts continued steadily. The bill proposes the voluntary acceptance of cryptocurrencies in commercial transactions, something that contrasts with similar projects like the Bitcoin Law, which at first made BTC compulsory legal tender. The bill also mandates licensing and registration requirements for Virtual Asset Service Providers, which aligns with other regional regulations, like Argentina. Solis' proposal promotes the integration of blockchain technology within public administration without specifying the use case and proposes the formal recognition of smart contracts as legally enforceable instruments. The key objective is to strengthen Panama's Bitcoin Strategy as a leading fintech jurisdiction in Latin America. The bill has yet to be approved, and with the 2022 precedents, the community and bitcoin advocates' excitement around it should be moderated. But the efforts are there. "Let's make history. Approving this regulatory framework means giving Panama a strategic edge in the global digital economy. It's time to act, regulate, and move forward. The future is now," Solis posted on X, sharing an article about the bill published by the Spanish-speaking crypto outlet CriptoNoticias. The development of Panama's bitcoin strategy could foster Central America's influence in the region's adoption of digital assets. El Salvador is pioneering this with regulation around bitcoin, digital assets, and real-world assets, and if Panama finally enacts its own law and plan, other neighboring countries could feel compelled to do so.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Science
- Yahoo
Blue Origin launches 6 passengers on sub-orbital trip to edge of space
An international crew of four men and two women blasted off and rocketed to the edge of space Saturday, enjoying a few minutes of weightlessness and an out-of-this-world view before plunging back to Earth to wrap up Blue Origin's twelfth New Shepard passenger flight. "It was such an incredible ride, very moving, very spiritual," Panamanian attorney Jaime Alemán, a former ambassador to the United States, said after landing. "Even better than I ever imagined. I've been traveling, thanks to the gods, all my life, this was like the cherry on top of a cake. I mean, to go up in space and see how huge it is, you can only begin to imagine how much more there is still to discover." Blue Origin's hydrogen-fueled single-stage booster roared to life at 9:39 a.m. EDT and quickly climbed away from the company's West Texas launch site, accelerating to just over 2,000 mph before releasing the New Shepard spacecraft. The crew capsule, equipped with the largest windows of any operational spaceship, continued coasting up to an altitude of nearly 65 miles, just above the internationally recognized boundary between the discernible atmosphere and space, before beginning the descent to landing. At the moment the capsule was released, its three American passengers — Aymette Medina Jorge, Gretchen Green and Paul Jeris — along with Alemán, Canadian Jesse Williams and New Zealand's Mark Rocket, began enjoying about three minutes of weightlessness as they coasted upwards. The reusable New Shepard booster, meanwhile, also continued upward before slowing and beginning its on tail-first descent. Seven minutes after liftoff, the rocket's BE-3 engine re-ignited, four landing legs deployed and the booster settled to a picture-perfect touchdown on a landing pad near the launch site. The gumdrop-shaped New Shepard capsule took a more leisurely flight home, descending under three large parachutes to touchdown in the West Texas desert 10 minutes after liftoff. "You guys, we did it!" one of the passengers exclaimed. Blue Origin has now launched 12 passenger flights since the sub-orbital spacecraft carried Amazon- and Blue Origin-founder Jeff Bezos and three others aloft in July 2021. The company has now launched 68 passengers, including four who have flown twice. Blue Origin and its passengers do not reveal how much it costs to fly aboard a New Shepard, but it's estimated to cost upwards of $500,000 per seat. Jorge's seat was sponsored by Farmacias Similares, a Mexican company focused on accessible healthcare across Latin America. Her crewmates presumably paid for their own tickets. Blue Origin has had the sub-orbital passenger market to itself since June 2024 when competitor Virgin Galactic, founded by entrepreneur Richard Branson, retired its original rocketplane to focus on building two upgraded Delta-class spacecraft. Virgin is expected to resume flights next year. Trump says Musk is "not really leaving" as DOGE savings lag behind projections How a toddler's brave walk into the darkness to get help inspired his family California track and field final begins with new rules for transgender athletes
CBS News
a day ago
- Business
- CBS News
Blue Origin launches 6 passengers on sub-orbital trip to the edge of space
An international crew of four men and two women blasted off and rocketed to the edge of space Saturday, enjoying a few minutes of weightlessness and an out-of-this-world view before plunging back to Earth to wrap up Blue Origin's twelfth New Shepard passenger flight. "It was such an incredible ride, very moving, very spiritual," Panamanian attorney Jaime Alemán, a former ambassador to the United States, said after landing. "Even better than I ever imagined. I've been traveling, thanks to the gods, all my life, this was like the cherry on top of a cake. I mean, to go up in space and see how huge it is, you can only begin to imagine how much more there is still to discover." he New Shepard rocket and crew capsule climb away from Blue Origin's West Texas launch site on the company's 12th crewed sub-orbital space flight. Blue Origin webcast Blue Origin's hydrogen-fueled single-stage booster roared to life at 9:39 a.m. EDT and quickly climbed away from the company's West Texas launch site, accelerating to just over 2,000 mph before releasing the New Shepard spacecraft. The crew capsule, equipped with the largest windows of any operational spaceship, continued coasting up to an altitude of nearly 65 miles, just above the internationally recognized boundary between the discernible atmosphere and space, before beginning the descent to landing. At the moment the capsule was released, its three American passengers — Aymette Medina Jorge, Gretchen Green and Paul Jeris — along with Alemán, Canadian Jesse Williams and New Zealand's Mark Rocket, began enjoying about three minutes of weightlessness as they coasted upwards. The New Shepard single-stage rocket flew itself back to landing near its launch pad for refurbishment and work to ready the vehicle for its next flight. Blue Origin webcast The reusable New Shepard booster, meanwhile, also continued upward before slowing and beginning its on tail-first descent. Seven minutes after liftoff, the rocket's BE-3 engine re-ignited, four landing legs deployed and the booster settled to a picture-perfect touchdown on a landing pad near the launch site. The gumdrop-shaped New Shepard capsule took a more leisurely flight home, descending under three large parachutes to touchdown in the West Texas desert 10 minutes after liftoff. "You guys, we did it!" one of the passengers exclaimed. Passenger Gretchen Green celebrates her trip to space after touchdown in the West Texas desert. Blue Origin webcast Blue Origin has now launched 12 passenger flights since the sub-orbital spacecraft carried Amazon- and Blue Origin-founder Jeff Bezos and three others aloft in July 2021. The company has now launched 68 passengers, including four who have flown twice. Blue Origin and its passengers do not reveal how much it costs to fly aboard a New Shepard, but it's estimated to cost upwards of $500,000 per seat. Jorge's seat was sponsored by Farmacias Similares, a Mexican company focused on accessible healthcare across Latin America. Her crewmates presumably paid for their own tickets. Blue Origin has had the sub-orbital passenger market to itself since June 2024 when competitor Virgin Galactic, founded by entrepreneur Richard Branson, retired its original rocketplane to focus on building two upgraded Delta-class spacecraft. Virgin is expected to resume flights next year.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Health
- Yahoo
U.S. Naval Hospital Ship Comfort deploys for Continuing Promise 2025 mission
NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) — The USNS Comfort set sail from Naval Station Norfolk Friday morning on a three-month deployment as part of the Continuing Promise 2025 mission. The naval hospital ship is equipped with an initial 100 bed capacity that is scalable to 1000 beds if needed. It includes advanced medical facilities from x-ray and CAT scan units to dental and optometry suites and a blood bank. 'We have a full complement of medical services, both medical and surgical, as well as support services to cool to include laboratory, radiology, pharmacy and physical therapy,' said Capt. Stephan Arles, commanding officer of the USNS Comfort medical treatment facility. 'We have a tailored mission, with two operating rooms capable of completing 12 to 18 surgeries per day. we also have an expeditionary medical site off ship, capable of treating between 300 and 500 patients a day.' Continuing Promise 2025 includes mission stops in Grenada, Panama, Columbia, Ecuador, Costa Rica, and the Dominican Republic. 'Really excited to go down to the Caribbean and Central and South America in order to help some people down there,' said Capt. Ryan Kendall. 'We are working towards expanding our cooperation and integration with, with our regional partners in order to provide assistance in times of humanitarian crisis, disaster or regional conflict,' Arles said. As the ship departed from Naval Station Norfolk, family members of sailors gathered along the pier, giving their loved ones a proper send off as they deployed. 'So, it's his first big, long deployment, since having kids,' said Lindsay Moore, the wife of a sailor on the USNS Comfort. 'We met while I was getting out of the military, so I'm used to the deployment part, but it's definitely been interesting with them two [the kids].' 'It's bittersweet, but I feel inspired because I know he's out there doing good things and helping people that need that need attention,' said Lincoln Sama, the son of a sailor on the USNS Comfort. The Comfort is now headed to Miami, where it will later depart for Grenada, the first stop on the three-month mission. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
