Ángela Ruso de Cedeño was chosen as Panama’s new ombudswoman in a rapid National Assembly vote, with her swearing-in set for Monday. The transition comes amid broader debate over ethics in public life and continued attention to Panama’s port operators.
Panama investigators believe a spark and fuel vapors likely triggered the deadly fire under the Bridge of the Americas. Officials are now reviewing the old tank site, the bridge structure and broader fuel-storage safety concerns.
Club Miramar opened in 1928 as one of Panama City’s most prominent social clubs, built beside the Bella Vista shoreline that once drew crowds to the bay. Its history reflects the rise, decline and transformation of the capital’s club culture and waterfront.
Panama City has been hit by a series of deadly shootings in neighborhoods including Juan Díaz and Río Abajo, with police linking the violence to drug turf disputes. Authorities also seized grenades and thousands of rounds of ammunition in a separate raid.
Panama’s construction sector has lost about 40,000 jobs since 2018, with employment and building activity still below pre-pandemic levels. Industry leaders warn that new housing costs could worsen the slowdown and further weaken mortgage demand.
Panama prosecutors opened a criminal investigation after Comptroller General staff allegedly interrupted anti-corruption interviews tied to the Carrizo case. The former vice president is already facing charges for alleged unjust enrichment.
Scientists in Panama are using a portable seismograph to evaluate how buildings may respond to earthquakes. The research is intended to improve understanding of structural vulnerability and support disaster preparedness.
Classes at the Centro Regional Universitario de Panamá Oeste were suspended after Africanized bee colonies on campus began causing incidents with students. Authorities are organizing a special operation to deal with the safety threat.
Specialists are warning Panamanians to use credit cards carefully as more people rely on them to cover financial obligations. The advice includes keeping balances below 30% of the limit and paying on time.
Copa Airlines projects a 2026 network of 88 destinations in 32 countries and 420 daily flights. The expansion follows 13 new routes added over the last 18 months.
Panama’s territorial planning is emerging as a key condition for orderly urban growth, stronger investment, and better logistics integration. The Panama-Colón corridor stands out as a strategic area where coordinated municipal planning could shape the country’s future.
Río Indio is back at the center of Panama’s canal water strategy as drought, El Niño and growing demand increase pressure on Gatún Lake. The planned reservoir could support both canal operations and metropolitan water supply for decades.
Lawmakers in Panama questioned the selection of Ángela Russo as the country’s new ombudsman, raising concerns during Thursday’s legislative session. Russo is set to take office on Monday, April 13.
Luis Horacio Moreno Tejeira, a Panamanian banker, writer, professor, and civic advocate, died at 97. He was known for promoting ethics and civic responsibility in Panama.
Marañón cultivation has returned in Coclé after a fungus caused shortages in Panama. The recovery signals progress for farmers and local supply.
Panama’s Public Ministry has opened a criminal investigation after a diligence involving Comptroller auditors was interrupted. The institution said it rejects external pressure and will proceed under due process.
Panama’s history of Indigenous relocations shows that moving communities cannot be treated as a simple administrative task. The Río Indio debate highlights the need for planning that protects identity, territory, and community life.
Panama has become the first Latin American country to regulate paid internships, but President José Raúl Mulino’s veto of a vocational guidance bill has exposed a gap in how young people are steered toward careers. The debate now centers on whether schools, universities, and the state will take shared responsibility for that transition.
Panama is seeking to ease tensions with China after a port-related dispute led to increased inspections of Panamanian-flagged vessels. The issue puts a spotlight on the country’s trade ties and its role as a maritime hub.
Panama has allowed First Quantum Minerals to move forward with ore exports as the company expands copper plans in Argentina. The decision comes at a politically sensitive moment for the country’s mining sector.