From the Inter American Press Association (IAPA):
http://en.sipiapa.org/notas/1211574-iapa-concerned-at-us-decision-regarding-panama-newspapers
MIAMI, Florida (July 12, 2017)—The Inter American Press Association (IAPA) today expressed concern at the decision of the United States government to prohibit American companies and citizens from maintaining commercial and contractual relations with Panama's Grupo Editorial GESE editorial group, which publishes the newspapers El Siglo and La Estrella de Panamá.
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"We are surprised that while the U.S. ambassador in Panama, John Feeley, said publicly that the newspapers are not involved in unlawful activities on the other hand the government does in fact apply these sanctions against those media," Rock said.
Replies
How many of these papers are sold in the USA? You can access them online FREE and not a problem. This is all hype on Waked's part.
By U.S. Embassy Panama City | 13 May, 2016 | Topics: Ambassador, Speeches
Mateo, some don't seem to understand that this action is about more than the sale of newspapers, it can also affect the supply of materials and use of the U.S. banking system.
The entities being affected have not conducted any criminal activity. There are 240 employees whose jobs are at risk.
Just about everyone in Panama, besides John Feeley and Hil Jenkins, thinks that the U.S. is out of line and should not be shutting down the press in a sovereign nation.