What stereotypes do other Latin Americans have of Panama and Panamnians?

[time67]

I'm asking this on request of some in-laws in Brooklyn and Panama itself.

The only stereotypes I've heard of Panamanians from several other Hispanics was that they were black and hate Colombians.

Aside from that, it seems Panama is one of the most ignored Latin American countries out there. People seem not to really have negative or positive experiences with them.

How does the average Mexican, Cuban, Colombian, Brazilian, Argentine, Guatemalan, etc. view Panama or Panamanians from your experience?

[Carlito's Way]

in Mexico, they are stereotyped as black, and no one knows anything about them, they are very unknown

[Black Panther]

Honestly, Brazilians know nothing about Panama.

[Taiguaitiaoghyrmmumin]

? Ive only met a few. But all of em were nice people.

[alnortedelsur]

I had always stereotyped Panama as being a mostly black/mulatto country, but then I learned that it also has some mestizo population in inner areas of the country outside of the areas around the Panama Canal, plus it has been receiving important immigration of middle class people from other Latin American countries, and has some important Amerindian presence. So I think that is less black/mulatto compared to Dominican Republic, for example.

[skain]

I had always stereotyped Panama as being a mostly black/mulatto country, but then I learned that it also has some mestizo population in inner areas of the country outside of the areas around the Panama Canal, plus it has been receiving important immigration of middle class people from other Latin American countries, and has some important Amerindian presence. So I think that is less black/mulatto compared to Dominican Republic, for example.

They are more tri racial.

[time67]

I had always stereotyped Panama as being a mostly black/mulatto country, but then I learned that it also has some mestizo population in inner areas of the country outside of the areas around the Panama Canal, plus it has been receiving important immigration of middle class people from other Latin American countries, and has some important Amerindian presence. So I think that is less black/mulatto compared to Dominican Republic, for example.

Yup. Panama is actually demographically similar to Belize. Belize is known for its black population but there's a lot of Mestizos, Amerindians, Tri-racials, Mulattoes, and Asians(Indians and Chinese) too.

Panama is about 30% Mestizo, 25% Tri-racial, 15% Black(predominately SSA), 12.5% Amerindian, 5.5% Mulatto, 5% White, 5% Asian(more Chinese), and 2% Zambo

Belize is 30% Mestizo, 20% Tri-racial, 20% Black, 12.5% Amerindian, 6% Mulatto, 5% Asian(more Indian), 3.5% White, 3% Zambo

Similar demographics but most who emigrate tend to be black for some reason.

[time67]

Also, I wonder how many people know reggaeton originated from Panama.(Not that that's something to be particularly proud of...hahaha)

[Annie999]

The only stereotype I have is they are very bad at football

[time67]

The only stereotype I have is they are very bad at football

That's kind of true. Football was never super popular there but Panama is very big on boxing. I'd easily put them in the top 5 boxing countries in Latin America.

[dperucca]

I have heard that they are bad drivers. That's all I have heard and I can't vouch for any accuracy lol

[time67]

Panama is also one of the most xenophobic Latin American countries out there, even more than Chile.

Here's Panama's record of xenophobia towards different immigrant groups:

Cubans:
https://panampost.com/karina-martin/2017/07/11/panama-defends-mass-deportation-of-cubans/
http://www.panamatoday.com/panama/cubans-panama-fleeing-deportation-4425

Colombians:
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-panama-immigration/panama-to-tighten-immigration-policy-for-colombia-venezuela-nicaragua-idUSKBN18M2Q9
https://www.telesurtv.net/english/news/Panama-to-Crack-Down-on-Immigration-Colombians-and-Venezuelans-20170527-0002.html
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/may/27/cuban-migrants-stranded-colombia-panama-human-trafficking

Venezuelans:
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2018-03-05/venezuelans-go-home-xenophobia-spreads-as-refugees-flee-crisis
http://www.post-gazette.com/news/world/2018/03/06/In-Panama-xenophobia-is-constant-for-refugees-from-Venezuela/stories/201803050213
https://panampost.com/editor/2016/11/21/hypocrisy-panamas-treatment-venezuelan-immigrants/

Panama is probably the only Latin American country that's considering closing its doors to Venezuelan professionals.

[Weiss]

All i know about panama is that is a tax paradise, but considering that the rest of latin america is a shithole, they're not doing bad

[Marinus]

In a general sense the only thing Brazilians know of Panana is the canal. We live in a cultural bubble when it comes to Latin America, unfortunately.

[RMuller]

That's kind of true. Football was never super popular there but Panama is very big on boxing. I'd easily put them in the top 5 boxing countries in Latin America.

Boxing ? Besides Roberto Duran who is half Mexican i never heard of another Boxer from Panama.