One hot topic in Panama these days is remilitarization. After the United States invaded and captured Manuel Noriega in 1989, Panama’s new government at the time reduced the size of its military. Many people are arguing that Panama needs to rebuild its military to be able to defend the Panama Canal and deal drug related terrorism in the future. So for potential investors in real estate in Panama, what should they be concerned about regarding the military in Panama.

Panama is a center for world trade, with a fifty mile passageway between the great oceans of the Atlantic and the Pacific. Forty percent of Latin American container ships and five percent of world shipping passes through the Panama Canal. Therefore, the investment in Panama is ongoing.

From 1969, the time of the military coup, to 1989, Panama had two military dictators. The first was Omar Torrijos Herrera who created land reforms, promoted birth control, and negotiated the turnover of the Panama Canal from the United States back to Panama. After his death, Manuel Noriega ran Panama from 1983 to the US invasion in 1989. The United States invaded and ousted Noriega. After this, Panama’s military was cut back dramatically and no further military coups were attempted in Panama.

The current threat that brings up the topic of rebuilding the military is narco terrorism. The counter argument to that is that a stronger military is a threat to the democracy of Panama, to human rights, and to Panama’s prosperity. The transshipment of narcotics from Columbia through Central America to Mexico is an ongoing problem, and arrests or entire networks are making the news. On the border of Columbia is the Darien, which is a wild area said to be a hiding place for Columbia anti government rebels financing their operation with cocaine.

However, it seems the average Panamanian citizen doesn’t seem terribly concerned with narco terrorism. They have money in their pockets, and they know that real estate in Panama is on the upswing. Chances are the narco terrorism will be cleaned up as the property values of the area start to increase.

Prices for real estate in Panama are low, and are really a great investment right now. Panama is a beautiful place to live and real estate in Panama will continue to get better. Being at the crossroads of world trade, real estate in Panama will always be important, and always valuable. Also, you can’t argue with the incredible landscape and terrains throughout the country, both in the mountains and along the coastline, giving real estate in Panama endless beauty.

For more information on real estate in Panama, check out some more of the articles on this site.