Jaime Alemán, a 72-year-old Panamanian lawyer and former diplomat, has become the first person from Latin America to visit every United Nations-recognized country, the two UN observer states, and travel through space. According to his account, Alemán completed his global circuit in 2020 before expanding his reach to the polar regions and the Kármán line, marking a career of exploration that began with the Encyclopedia Britannica.
The Evolution of a Global Traveler
Alemán’s journey toward visiting all 193 UN member states and two observer states—Palestine and the Vatican—was rooted in early childhood curiosity. Born in 1953, he credits the Encyclopedia Britannica for sparking an interest in the world beyond Panama. His travel experience began at age 11 when his father, a negotiator for the new Panama Canal treaties, moved the family to Washington. During this time, he took his first independent trip to Niagara Falls with a group of nannies.
His academic path further fueled this momentum. After completing his first year of university in the United States and his second in France, he spent weekends exploring Europe. He notably traveled behind the Iron Curtain, visiting East Germany, Poland, and the Soviet Union. A “Semester at Sea” program later allowed him to sail around the world, making stops in Morocco, South Africa, Kenya, and across Asia.
Did you know?
Jaime Alemán plans to partner with his daughter to become the first father and daughter in history to visit every country in the world.
Accessing the World’s Most Remote Regions
In 2015, while semi-retired and living in France, Alemán began focusing on the remaining countries on his list. He utilized his diplomatic passport to reach challenging destinations. According to Alemán, his access to restricted nations like North Korea, Yemen, Somalia, Afghanistan, and Iraq was facilitated by tour operator Simon Cockerell, whom he met in 2017 while visiting the Darvaza gas crater in Turkmenistan with his daughter.
Alemán describes Tanzania as his favorite destination, citing its blend of geography—from Kilimanjaro to the Serengeti—and the optimism of its people. Despite visiting both the world’s wealthiest and poorest nations, he maintains that the human experience is universal, noting that people everywhere share similar aspirations for shelter, food, education, and security.
Beyond Earth: A Journey to the Kármán Line
On May 31, 2025, Alemán reached a new milestone by traveling aboard Blue Origin’s NS-32 mission. Reaching the Kármán line, he became the first Panamanian to circumnavigate the globe and travel through space. Reflecting on the four-minute experience, he described a sense of insignificance while viewing the darkness of space, alongside a belief that life likely exists elsewhere in the universe.
Future Projects and Documentation
Alemán is currently documenting his experiences for a broader audience. He has authored a book, The Grand Slam of Travel: 193 Countries + North & South Poles + Space, scheduled for release in 2027. Additionally, he is collaborating with a Hollywood producer on a documentary film regarding his life. Beyond his travel records, Alemán is also noted for his political career; as a former minister of justice, he signed the decree that removed General Manuel Antonio Noriega as head of the Panama Defense Forces.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How many countries did Jaime Alemán visit?
He has visited all 193 countries recognized by the UN, plus the two observer states (Palestine and the Vatican), and various independent territories. - When did he travel to space?
Alemán traveled to the Kármán line on May 31, 2025, via Blue Origin’s NS-32 mission. - What is his next goal?
He aims to become the first father and daughter in history to visit every country in the world.
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