March 26, 2026

A warehouse fire in Río Abajo, Panama City, killed a 54-year-old Nicaraguan worker, Telemetro reports. Authorities have not released details on cause or response.

Ousted Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro returned to a New York federal court hearing after a U.S. raid captured him. The judge indicated the case would not be dismissed despite concerns about whether Maduro and his wife can afford their legal bills.

Reuters reports the U.S. Federal Maritime Commission is monitoring a surge in detentions of Panama-flagged vessels in China amid a reported dispute over port control, raising concerns for Panama’s maritime registry.

La Repregunta’s latest episode questioned President José Raúl Mulino’s limited public briefings and examined a National Assembly bill to mandate bioethanol in fuels, highlighting transparency concerns.

The IOC said women’s Olympic participation will be limited to individuals of ‘female biological sex’ and that carriers of the SRY gene will be excluded, reintroducing genetic tests for the 2028 Games. The move will require national bodies, including Panama’s, to revise eligibility and selection procedures.

FEMA reopened applications Wednesday for a major resilience grant program it canceled last year, following a federal judge’s order to make the funding available within the past three weeks.

Panama’s Protección Civil will install a COE and step up coordination to reinforce security and health measures for the pilgrimage to the Cristo de Alanje, officials said.

China says it has completed a tariff investigation and warned it could impose retaliatory measures against Mexico. The duties, ranging from 5% to 50% on 1,463 product categories, may also complicate Mexico’s parallel US trade talks.

Nex Panamá has posted a Korean-style patitas de pollo recipe in its Recipes section, linking readers to the full instructions and social sharing options.

Authorities have launched a search in Antón, Coclé for Maruquel Torres and are asking the public to come forward with any information that could help locate her.

José Caballero became the first MLB player to appeal using the Automated Balls and Strikes system, adding a modern milestone to a long line of notable Panamanian major-leaguers from Mariano Rivera to Carlos Ruiz.

Regional health authorities in San Miguelito will remove street vendors near schools, citing concerns about junk food sales and other detected safety risks affecting students.

TVN 2 reports cervical cancer is now the second leading cause of death among women in Panama, with cases concentrated in Panamá Oeste, Chiriquí and Azuero, prompting new public health strategies.

Panama will play two friendly matches against South Africa on March 27 and 31; TVN, TVMAX, TVN Pass and the TVMAX PANAMÁ YouTube channel will broadcast the games.

IFARHU says the first PASE-U 2026 disbursement is delayed due to missing student data from Meduca; payments will proceed once the ministry provides the required information.

The Escuela República de Venezuela in Calidonia reopened on 26 March after over nine years abandoned, following a $21.8 million renovation that benefits 672 students and includes modern labs, internet in every classroom and a new gym.

Panama is studying a transport relief program to prevent fare increases amid rising global fuel prices, with transport operators set to submit data for MEF simulations before April 1.

President José Raúl Mulino inaugurated a new building for the Escuela República de Venezuela and the Instituto Comercial Bolívar on March 26, 2026, marking a visible government presence at an education infrastructure opening.

Panama will face South Africa in a World Cup 2026 warm-up friendly at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban, a key opportunity to test players and tactics ahead of the tournament.

The U.S. Federal Maritime Commission is monitoring a surge in detentions of Panama-flagged vessels in China that appears linked to a Panama court ruling. The situation could have operational and diplomatic implications for Panama and the maritime sector.