Ambassador tours Casco Viejo while residents ready for a fight

Just hours after the close of the ARTBLOCK program in Casco Viejo, when participants lined up to sign a petition about “danger" to the old city, itwas toured the U.S. Ambassador to Panama.

The danger, as seen by resident’s groups is that the extension of the Cinta Costera would cirlce the old city, leading to its de listing as  a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Accompanied by embassy staff  Ambassador Phyllis Powers met with leaders from various civic and social organizations, and  representatives from the private sector who are behind burgeoning tourism projects in the area.

Powers said that the UNESCO World Heritage site an area that needs to be preserved and protected.

 "There are many opportunities here to preserve the history and heritage of Panama," she said

Hildegard Vásquez, president of the Fundación Calicanto, said: "Restoration has been slow in recent years, but we can improve," she said.

The area needs help, not only to preserve the historical heritage, but also for the residents.

Residents range from wealthy, ready to pay well over $400,000 for a two bedroomed home, to some paying as little as $50 month to stay in crowded poorly serviced run down buildings.

Recently the Trump Organization voiced its interest in a development in Casco Viejo causing  further concerns about the future of the area.