To me, the name Captain Morgan means rum. Spiced rum. Yum. In the Panamanian history books the Welsh buccaneer doesn't go down so well. Back in the 16th and 17th centuries Panama was important for the Spanish and their exploration and exploitation of South America. It was here where they transported pillaged Peruvian gold from one sea to the next.
Knowing of the potential booty in Panama, Henry Morgan ransacked the city in 1671, burnt it to the ground and massacred it's citizens before taking off with the biggest loot in the Americas. Although arrested, he claimed to know nothing about the peace treaty between Spain and England and was acquitted. In 1674, after being knighted, he left for Jamaica where he spent the last of his days spending Panamas riches and drinking rum.
Panama City was then relocated to what is now Casco Viejo (Old Compound). Here the buildings are a huge contrast to the rest of the city, which with its skyscrapers could be Miami. I briefly visited Casco Viejo and loved it's old beautiful buildings. I had lunch at the oldest cafe in Panama, the corporation endorsed Cafe Coca Cola. It was a bland Panamanian lunch of rice, beans and chicken. And a coke of course. All that was missing was some rum. Captain Morgans anyone?