UPAM continues operating in Panama despite a formal shutdown order from the Education Ministry, deepening scrutiny over university oversight and enforcement. The case has now reached the National Assembly, where officials faced questions about weak controls and inconsistent regulation.
Political tension rose in Panama after new criticism of Contralor Anel Flores and debate over conduct in an anticorruption case. At the same time, attention is shifting to the next Electoral Tribunal magistrate and the new ombudsman’s public appearance.
Panama’s Labor Ministry is demanding stricter oversight of union training funds after raising concerns about reporting gaps and a preliminary audit that flagged possible irregularities of up to $7 million. Conusi and Conato have pushed back, saying they have complied with required accounting.
Banco General’s 2025 Responsible Banking Report highlights progress in emissions cuts, digital inclusion, education funding and governance reforms. The bank also moved closer to carbon neutrality in its operations and expanded its role in Panama’s sustainable finance agenda.
ENSA has scheduled preventive maintenance on its electrical network from April 13 to 19, with temporary outages possible in specific areas. Customers can check whether their property may be affected using their NAC on the company’s interruption calendar.
Port Amador is aiming to become a Pacific superyacht hub in Panama, leveraging its waterfront location near Panama City and the Panama Canal. The move could boost marine tourism, services, and the country’s high-end maritime profile.
New Zealand customs found nearly $17 million in cocaine hidden in a shipping container that had carried legitimate goods from Balboa, Panama. The seizure highlights the risks of drug trafficking through international cargo routes.
Panama’s insecurity debate is being influenced by Bukele’s tough-on-crime model in El Salvador, where the CECOT prison and state of exception have cut homicides but raised rights concerns. Strong public approval of Bukele in Panama is fueling questions about how far the country should go on security.
First Quantum is advancing its Taca Taca project in Argentina while still dealing with the consequences of the Cobre Panama shutdown. The company’s next steps remain closely tied to Panama’s mining dispute and investor confidence.
A National Police officer died after being shot during an operation in El Chorrillo, Panama City. Police have intensified efforts to capture those responsible.
A National Police corporal, Elvis Espinoza, died after being shot in the chest during an armed confrontation in El Chorrillo, Panama City. Police launched operations to find those responsible as violence in the capital continues to rise.
Panama is navigating a global energy shock that has boosted the strategic value of the Canal while exposing deep domestic political and institutional fractures. Rising costs, unemployment and corruption concerns continue to weigh on public confidence.
Panama’s Comptroller General’s Office said its official Instagram account was compromised and warned that any content posted during that period was unauthorized. The alert underscores the risks of relying on social media posts without verification.
Panama’s Comptroller General’s office said its official Instagram account was hacked Sunday night and that security protocols were activated to recover control. The institution warned that any unauthorized posts from the account should not be treated as official.
Panama opened the 2026 South American Youth Games with a major ceremony at Rommel Fernández Stadium, featuring national music, delegation parades and the cauldron lighting. The event brings more than 2,000 athletes to compete across 23 disciplines through April 25.
Panama is marking Good Deeds Day for the 11th year with a campaign that encourages citizens to take part in solidarity actions. This year’s message, “Haciendo el bien inspiras,” highlights the power of example in building community spirit.
Archbishop José Domingo Ulloa used Panama’s Great Eucharistic Gathering to denounce corruption, saying it worsens poverty and steals the future from the country’s children. He linked the issue to more than 482 children living in poverty or extreme poverty nationwide.
A debate over a gift to an elected official has renewed attention on Panama’s public ethics rules and the need to curb both small-scale and systemic corruption. The discussion centers on stricter civic education, clearer oversight, and real enforcement of the law.
Panama’s government is facing renewed criticism after authorizing processing and export activity tied to Cobre Panamá despite the country’s mining moratorium. The move has reopened a major debate over legality, economic pressure and public trust.
Global stocks fell and oil jumped above US$100 after President Trump said U.S. forces would block the Strait of Hormuz, raising fears of a wider Middle East war. The escalation could ripple through energy markets, inflation, and trade worldwide.
