http://www.bananamarepublic.com/2010/03/10/martinelli-kicks-people-out-of-their-homes-to-please-speculators/ Panama in all its Glory Sun, 05 Feb 2012 14:04:19 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v= http://www.bananamarepublic.com/2010/03/10/martinelli-kicks-people-out-of-their-homes-to-please-speculators/comment-page-1/#comment-203 Susan Guberman-Garcia Wed, 17 Mar 2010 13:35:00 +0000 http://www.bananamarepublic.com/?p=268#comment-203 Okke, I f have commented about this on panama laws for expats. What is missing from this story is the identity of the developer for whose benefit this apparently illegal action was taken. (Or more likely, the names of the shareholders, since the developer is most certainly a corporation). Is there any possibility that someone in government might be involved? As I pointed out in my discussion, this incident is giving a lot of concern to the people of Bocas del Toro who are eagerly awaiting implementation of the island-coastal titling bill. We are worried that ROP holders who clearly meet the requirements of that law will be pushed aside in favor of "connected" strangers to the land. This is a big worry in light of the comment by the president's spokeswoman that occupying untitled land is a "crime." The titling bill explicitly recognizes the validity of possessory rights and specifically states that persons who have occupied such land peaceably and openly with intent to exercise ownership for at least 5 years are entitled to title it. Yet now, the president's authorized spokeswoman is stating that doing this is a "crime." Will ROP holders who come forward to claim their titles be awarded with a criminal prosecution instead of a title? Or will that only happen if someone "connected" wants that same piece of land? Please stay on top of this story and tell us who is involved. Okke, I f have commented about this on panama laws for expats. What is missing from this story is the identity of the developer for whose benefit this apparently illegal action was taken. (Or more likely, the names of the shareholders, since the developer is most certainly a corporation). Is there any possibility that someone in government might be involved?
As I pointed out in my discussion, this incident is giving a lot of concern to the people of Bocas del Toro who are eagerly awaiting implementation of the island-coastal titling bill. We are worried that ROP holders who clearly meet the requirements of that law will be pushed aside in favor of “connected” strangers to the land. This is a big worry in light of the comment by the president’s spokeswoman that occupying untitled land is a “crime.” The titling bill explicitly recognizes the validity of possessory rights and specifically states that persons who have occupied such land peaceably and openly with intent to exercise ownership for at least 5 years are entitled to title it. Yet now, the president’s authorized spokeswoman is stating that doing this is a “crime.”
Will ROP holders who come forward to claim their titles be awarded with a criminal prosecution instead of a title? Or will that only happen if someone “connected” wants that same piece of land?
Please stay on top of this story and tell us who is involved.

]]> http://www.bananamarepublic.com/2010/03/10/martinelli-kicks-people-out-of-their-homes-to-please-speculators/comment-page-1/#comment-200 Ramona Rhoades Wed, 17 Mar 2010 03:28:39 +0000 http://www.bananamarepublic.com/?p=268#comment-200 Well, several people have written about this with NO follow up. You are the first one to say they will find out who the "speculators" are. I hope you stick with it, maybe even find out who actually destroyed the homes and oversaw the destruction. Well, several people have written about this with NO follow up. You are the first one to say they will find out who the “speculators” are. I hope you stick with it, maybe even find out who actually destroyed the homes and oversaw the destruction.

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