Coup d'état: Is democracy a failed utopia?

I just landed on this video, a documentary that covers the December 19th 1989 attack of the United States on Panama. This invasion of the country, that happened during nightime, was a terrible incident of the American diplomatic and armed forces: After the US stopped working with Panama's head of state, the infamous Noriega, he refused to leave his position to be replaced by a new US-compliant president. Then-president George Bush decided that it could not afford to have an ennemy ruling Panama, hence the blitzkrieg launched against Panama in December 1989.

The Panama Deception (1992), winner of the 1992 Academy Award for Documentary Feature.

While this sounds like an old story, there are still coup d'état happening nowadays, in many countries. Those coup d'état seriously violate the UN's guidelines for a demoncratic world, but they happen, sometime failing, sometime succeding.

Here are a few examples:

• In 2006, in the Fidji Islands, Frank Bainimarama ousted Laisenia Qarase, the 4th coup d'état in 19 years
• In 2009, in Honduras, the Army expelled then-president Manuel Zelaya out of the country.
• In 2009 again, in Madagascar, Andry Rajoelina, with the help from the army, ousted Marc Ravalomanana
• In 2010, in Niger, General-Lieutenant Salou Djibo kicked former president Mamadou Tandja out
• And more recently (March 2012), the Malian army overthrew President Amadou Toumani Touré.

In other words, some countries do not live with a democratic system: Every new leader gains power with violence because all actual leaders violate the principles of democracy out of a fear of losing their power. While this is sad, it reflects the reality of things: Is democracy a failed utopia?

The Panama Canal expansion

After a severe economic crisis that shook the global economy, some regions return to top. Panama is one of them. Indeed, this year, the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) expects a 5% growth rate for the country, the highest growth of the region after the Dominican Republic, which expects 6% growth rate.

While the Dominican Republic bases its economy on tourism, Panama focused its economy on public infrastructure such as mining projects and the expansion of the Canal. The Panama Canal generates $ 5 million a day in revenue for Panama, but it became obsolete.

The expansion of the Canal is a pharaonic site: 7 years of work, five billion dollars to accommodate bigger ships.

Since its opening, the canal was a huge success and continues to be a key conduit for navigation. Each year, it is used by more than 14,000 ships carrying more than 203 million tons of cargo.




Its construction has been one of the most difficult engineering projects ever. Its impact on maritime trade was considerable, since it shortened the route of vessels. Although restored to Panama, the canal is still considered an inland waterway by the United States: it is thus stipulated in the treaty of surrender that ships flying the American flag have a right of way over another.
The Panama Canal is, according to the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) , one of the seven wonders of the modern world.

In Panama -a small country of three million inhabitants in which the U.S. has restored Canal December 31, 1999- everything related to shipping is a state-wide matter. This unprecedented investment - a $ 5.2 billion - has first been the subject of a national referendum. In 2006, nearly 80% of the population voted in favor of the initiation of work. The day it began,September 3, 2007, all employees and students enjoyed from a Panamanian holiday, to better savor this historic moment.

The Canal has already brought four billion dollars to the country's budget hence Panama, wants to make it a business.

On Giving Up One's Citizenship

Samuel Taliaferro published an interesting article on his blog that was written by Llewellyn H. Rockwell, Jr., the Libertarian activist. In this article, Lew Rockwell rants on the implications of giving up one's US citizenship, and argues that it is in the roots of the United States' constitution to have the right to leave to seek greater freedom, since freedom is what the US are all about.

Lew Rockwell writes these words in reaction to the recent findings that show a rise in US citizenship revocation demands from US citizens. If a US citizen wishes to live in another country, he is still expected to declare his revenues in the United States and pay his taxes accordingly. The Government may also request a living-abroad US citizen to do military time for the US Governement, hence the need to give up one's citizenship to un-tether oneself from the US Government:

Even when a person gives up US citizenship, and establishes citizenship with a freer country, the US government can still haunt him with continuing tax obligations and demands for military service.

In Lew Rockwell's instance, US citizens attempt to lose their US citizenship because they have found more satisfying freedom models elsewhere. However, on a broader scale, giving up one's land and permanently migrating to a new more fulfilling one is a topic that appeals to my most inner senses.

I too have decided to cut the cord with France, the country where I was raised and spent a good part of my adulthood. However, when I found Panama, France lost all of its significance. Panama is a paradise land, with breath-taking landscapes and the most heart-warming population. Moreover, I am an entrepreneur, and Panama is a country filled with all sorts of business opportunities.

Unfortunately, breaking up with my former homeland was not a piece of cake. Any unresolved business with the French administration keeps haunting you even though your mind is already on the other side of the globe. Despite the little trouble I went through, I am glad I was French and not American, because I don't think I would have appreciate having a foreign Government following me wherever I go and pretend that my soul (and earnings) belongs to them.

On that level, Lew Rockwell is absolutely right, the US governement went way over the line, and what started as the land of the free became the land of the muzzled! Lord have mercy on the soul of the unscrupulous individuals who benefit from these shameless laws!

Read Lew Rockwell on the Panama Investor Blog.

Bienvenidos a Panama

Bienvenidos a Panama - travel and culture
envoyé par AndreBeladina. - Découvrez de nouvelles destinations en vidéo.

I love travelling, especially in Panama. The country of Reggaeton, Seco Herrerano and its Mejorana, Panama is the idealistic place to get away thanks to its beaches, palmtrees, its Capital city, its Panameans and its unrivaled sundowns.


Bocas del Toro, Colón, Chiriquí, Darién, Herrera, Los Santos, Panamá, Veraguas are the composers of Panama. I have seen many things there. It is very surprising to notice the cultural differences which you can discover in an only country. Courses, dances, or even Panamean musics are all different from one land to another. This is due to the number of cultures living there. Indeed, Panama is composed by seven native populations, Kunas, Emberas, Wounans, Nasos ,Bri-Bris and the Guaymi or Ngobe Bugles.

My passion for Panama comes from thoses beaches full of plamtrees, which are perfect for a nap contemplating the landscape. You also have to rely on its hot white sand, its azure-blue seas, like the ones you see on post cards and travel catalogues. It is possible to jump on a small boat to go diving between fishes and cowries. But the excursion has no limit but the magical islands. Magical because once you've set foot on them, it very hard to leave. Inland, it's another world we find. Panama has a very luxurious jungle, vegetation, waterfallsand all its exotic animals. The capital, Panama city, is incredible. Indeed, we can find, multicolor buses, and the Panama carnival is a festival of music, dance and confettis.

To be in the best confort available, Panam hotels are an ideal, with a panoramic view of the town from the swimming pools. Don't forget the Panama Canal, one of the most important historical monuments of the country. The must see is definitely the town by night. Everything is illuminated, it seems like no one is asleep.

André Beladina

Andre Beladina: My passion for aviation

I have developed over the years a genuine passion for aviation. You might find funny for a Lawyer...

Well actually, it all started when I worked for the Chalons Vatry Airport, where I found out more about planes and helicopters.

I decided to study hard in order to get my private pilot’s license which gave me the ability to fly jet planes in the United States. There I earned my ATT professional pilot’s license and a helicopter license as well.

I still maintain a strong interest in this field now that I live in Panama as you will see in my upcoming posts.

Andre Beladina

My first post by Andre Beladina

Hi Everyone,

My name is Andre Beladina, I am a Frenchman living in Panama.

Over the years I have developed a passion for aviation and especially for jet planes which I learned how to pilot in the US.

I also have a my helicopter license and I pilot as often as I can.

This is the starting of this blog: sharing with you fellow aviation fans information and tips about our passion.

Please do not hesitate to share ideas, links and anything you wish with me in the future. I see this blog as an opportunity to discover new things and make new friends.

Best regards,

Andre Beladina