As someone who’s now spent several years in this country, let me say that Panama has everything it takes to develop a truly love-hate relationship with it. And someday, soon, I’m gonna write all about it. But this piece below, produced by AL JAZEERA of all media outlets, accentuates what is wrong with this country, with both a micro and macro view. It is an exceptional piece of journalism.

Panama is one of those countries that likes to hype itself up on all kinds of “smoke and mirror” tactics that it has at its disposal to exploit. The country’s global cheerleaders (who are many, the US included) are quick to tout unverifiable and bogus numbers about its economic growth, GDP, and so on. They are also quick to quell any notion that Panama is anything but a thriving democracy. A “democracy” that in no way harbors and/or supports much of the world’s narco-trafficking activities. Once you cut through that shitscreen, however, the realities are stark, sad, and sobering.

Take the 25 minutes and watch this. And Kudos to Al Jazeera, for doing something that the US and other world news media can’t ever seem to do. Just tell it like it is when it comes to Panama.