Prominent Panama City construction company owner Gabriel Btesh provides a brief overview of Panama’s long and varied history.
A leader of Panama City’s and the Republic of Panama’s burgeoning construction industry, Gabriel Btesh has, for more than 30 years, been committed to socially conscious construction in the Central and South American nation. A keen philanthropist dedicated to wellness and well-being, Btesh offers a closer look at Panama’s rich history, including becoming part of the Spanish empire for almost three centuries, the republic’s independence from Colombia, the war years, and more.
Historically, Panama’s earliest known inhabitants were the Coclé and Cueva tribes, according to Btesh, a renowned construction company owner and philanthropist from Panama City. These populations were, however, he goes on to reveal, drastically reduced by fighting and disease when the Spanish arrived in the 16th century. “Rodrigo de Bastidas, searching for gold in 1501, was the first European to explore the region,” Gabriel explains.
Subsequently, Panama became and remained part of the Spanish empire for almost 300 years. “From 1538 to 1821, Panama was part of the Spanish empire,” adds the successful construction firm owner. Panama remained as such—a Spanish stronghold and outpost—until the country’s revolution in the 1820s, following which Panama became part of Colombia. “The nation,” Btesh reveals, “was designated a department with two provinces, known as Panamá and Veraguas.”
The region, encompassing Columbia and Panama, as well as neighboring Ecuador, ultimately became known as Gran Colombia.
The United States, Btesh further goes on to explain, first recognized Panama on November 6, 1903, after the nation declared its independence from Colombia. “Panamanians had revolted against the Colombian government,” reveals Btesh, “declared an independent republic, and established a provisional government junta.”
What followed was the organizing of the new republic, United States intervention and strained relations, the war years, and the National Guard in ascendance.
Gabriel Btesh recently celebrated Panama City’s 500th anniversary of founding on August 15, in addition to his own 30-year commitment to integrity within the nation’s construction industry, revealing extensive details of an ongoing professional legacy centered around wellness, well-being, and a strengthened economy. He remains, he says, at the very forefront of socially conscious construction in Panama.
“Today, the Republic of Panama is a rapidly developing nation boasting an incredibly bright future,” adds Btesh, wrapping up, “home to more than 4 million people from David to Santiago and from Panama City to Colón.”
