Vasco, Our Little Panama Cousin

Vasco Barretas is a bright‑hearted Panama native whose mixed Spanish‑Indian heritage fuels a restless love for excitement, though he would rather avoid hard work. Set against the backdrop of the nation’s bold new independence and the massive American effort to carve the Panama Canal, his world buzzes with promises of progress, bustling parades, and the allure of adventure.

When his father, Lieutenant Amadeo Barretas, prepares for a grand military review that will host visiting U.S. officers, young Vasco sees his chance to witness history up close. Alongside friends from America and England, he navigates the streets of Panama City, hears colourful tales of buccaneers, and feels the pulse of a country poised on the brink of transformation. The opening chapters blend lively local color with the spirit of a youthful explorer eager to find his place in a changing world.