Are any of those countries safe politically, crime situation, financial stability?
No.
Yep. Sure are. I’ve been to all of those countries with no problems anywhere.
I’ve been to 4 of these countries, more recently Panama.
Panama in 2025 presents a mixed picture—stable in some areas, but facing real challenges in others.
Politically, President José Raúl Mulino is in office and has a strong approval rating (76%), suggesting public support for his leadership. While there’s no immediate threat of political collapse, tensions around constitutional reform, resource management, and external pressures (like U.S. rhetoric on the canal) make the landscape fragile but manageable.
Crime Situation?
Homicide rate: ~11.5 per 100,000 people—moderate by Latin American standards, but rising.
Theft and robbery have increased in urban areas like Panama City, with a 7% rise in thefts and a 14% increase in homicides in early 2025.
Public perception of safety is low: 80% of Panamanians believe crime is worsening. Personally, I didn’t feel unsafe. I found the place better than most of our large urban areas.
Panama’s fiscal deficit reached 7% of GDP in 2024, prompting credit downgrades by Fitch and S&P. That’s higher than ours which is 6% of GDP, ours is elevated but stable; driven by entitlement growth and interest payments.
The Panama government is trying to stabilize finances through social security reform and infrastructure investment.
RE: Are any of those countries safe politically, crime situation, financial stability?
If you are looking for a country where English is spoken, Belize is the place to consider.
Belize ranks around 65% on the World Bank’s Political Stability Index, placing it in the upper-middle tier globally.
The government is functioning, elections are peaceful, and there’s no significant threat of terrorism or political violence.
Murders and other major crimes are under control. The only issue is Petty theft and opportunistic crimes.
Belize’s economy is small and tourism-dependent, which makes it sensitive to global shocks.
There’s no immediate fiscal crisis, but public trust in institutions and economic diversification remain long-term concerns.
I would say that Belize is politically stable, showing progress on crime, and financially modest but functional. It’s a country with real challenges—but also with institutions that are working, communities that are engaged, and a government that’s responsive.