http://laestrella.com.pa/panama/nacional/elias-castillo-propondra-regular-visa-turistas/23978582
Deputy Elias Castillo is working on a legislature to modify the tourist visa time limits to a maximum of 30 days as a tourist with the option to extend it another 60 days.
This comes amidst discontent for the large number of Colombians and Venezuelans who overstay their visas, commit criminal acts while in Panama or pretty much abuse of their status and have problems with nationals.
Although the new law is aimed at everyone entering the country as a tourist, being allowed a maximum of 30 days and having proof of paid hotel stay and income, the article mentions that some nationalities will still be allowed to stay 6 months.
Replies
The check points have never bothered me. If someones papers are not up to date they shouldn't be driving.
That's not the point. It's the feeling of living in a police state where you are assumed guilty and have to prove your innocence all the time. Many left the States because they felt the USA was becoming a police state but comparing the two I feel much freer and safer living in the States.
Gordon, it's not just that. On my block of 10 houses, two have been burglarized, another neighbor with several dogs and a gate put bars on his window after living there for a few decades, and two shootings with one being a home invasion occurred up the hill from me.
All after the Caldera checkpoint was put in.
So in addition to paying taxes to steal your time at the checkpoints (I counted 20 cars stacked up waiting to clear). I really would feel safer if the police resources were transferred from the checkpoint to Boquete proper, seeing that the criminals probably lived north of the checkpoint.
Completely agree. Checkpoints are more about generating revenue than to prevent crimes. When I arrived in Panama a decade ago there were very few checkpoints but over the years it has gotten way too intrusive for my tastes. One of the many reasons I left.
Glen,
Since you won't (or can't, because of laws here) say what it is you think you know about someone, shut up. All you'll do is cause rumors, rumors which harm you more than anyone else.
Glen this is not the USA and I think you overate the technical abilities of the police. I know of a car that was stolen 2 months ago. They have a copy of the thief's drivers license and his cell phone number and have talked to him, yet after 2 months they still can't locate him or the car.
Sorry Steve I have to disagree, some elements of the National Police specialize in intelligence gathering and are well equipped to do so thanks to the former president and the importation of equipment and training from the USA and Europe including interagency cooperation across international lines. Perhaps not all cops are Intel analysts but Panama does have them.
As far as the stolen car, having an understanding of the mechanics of law enforcement I know that not all solvable crimes get solved all the time partly because senior leadership are the ones who set the agenda for the street cops and its likely they have other priorities of a more serious nature and probably focus their resources accordingly.
Prisons and police force are two different entities.