October 14, 2012

Barro Blanco

The Dutch semi-government bank FMO invests in a hydroelectric dam in Panama that is highly controversial because of environmental damage and the violations of human rights of the indigenous Ngobe people.
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September 5, 2012

Streets of Calidonia

Calidonia is probably the liveliest area of Panama City, and a rewarding place for street photography. I shoot there regularly, with the aim to produce a book where my photos are accompanied by short stories by author Lili Mendoza.
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August 20, 2012

Orphanage charity project

The proceeds of a small photobook will go to an orphanage near Panama City that looks more like an African refugee camp.
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October 31, 2011

Drugs Canal

Rivaling gangs and drug trafficking cause increasing murder rates in Panama. Okke Ornstein explored gang land, and went to the Darien gap at the border with Colombia, spoke with drug traffickers, the border police, and the indigenous population in the area.
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January 12, 2011

Okke Ornstein in Wikileaks cablegate

Back in 2004, the presidential election campaign in Panama was running at full steam when lawyer and legislator Jose Blandon distributed a legal file among reporters. It contained documents about the case of Raul Mata Zuñiga, a friend of candidate Martin Torrijos, and a narco-related…
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