April 16, 2026

Panama will host the South American Youth Games in 2026, positioning the country as a regional stage for youth sports. The event is being promoted for live viewing on TVMAX.

President José Raúl Mulino urged transport operators in Panama to register for the fuel subsidy to help keep passenger fares stable. The move is aimed at easing operating costs and preventing fare increases for commuters.

Authorities arrested a woman in Arraiján who was on Panama’s most wanted list for aggravated theft and had an active arrest warrant. The case now moves into the judicial process.

MLB and Caja de Ahorros are supporting the 2026 Pitch, Hit & Run program in Panama, which is set to reach more than 4,000 young baseball players. José Caballero and Mariano Rivera are backing the youth initiative.

Pope Leo XIV visited Bamenda in Cameroon’s conflict-hit northwest and urged peace in a region scarred by deadly fighting. The visit drew fresh attention to the country’s long-running Anglophone crisis.

Panama will slightly adjust fuel prices from April 17, with 95-octane gasoline falling and low-sulfur diesel rising by one cent per liter. The government is also expanding fuel subsidy coverage to fishing and food transport sectors.

MiAmbiente has installed rainwater harvesting systems in Los Santos to help communities in Azuero cope with water shortages and climate variability. The project is part of a wider push to strengthen resilience in one of Panama’s driest regions.

A vessel paid $4 million to jump ahead in Panama Canal traffic as congestion tightened access to one of the world’s busiest trade routes. The case highlights the high stakes of delays in global shipping.

The University of Panama approved a partial payment in the third phase of a salary adjustment for administrative staff. The decision affects a key segment of the university’s workforce.

Hospital Santo Tomás opened a new emergency waiting area in Panama City to improve conditions for patients and healthcare workers. The upgrade is part of broader efforts to strengthen the experience in one of Panama’s key public hospitals.

Panama’s Agriculture Minister Roberto Linares says the country has enough rice in inventory to meet demand until about October. He added that rice imports will not be allowed while supplies remain sufficient.

Panama’s rice producers are seeking talks with the government over high fertilizer costs, hoping for an agreement that brings more reasonable prices. The move reflects growing pressure on farming costs and domestic food production.

Hospital Santo Tomás reopened its renovated emergency room in Panama City as part of a wider effort to improve deteriorated health facilities. The upgrade highlights ongoing work to modernize public hospitals in Panama.

Jaime Barroso has been elected by the National Assembly as Panama’s new Electoral Tribunal magistrate with 52 votes in favor. He will serve a 10-year term, replacing Alfredo Juncá.

Flag football begins at the 2026 South American Youth Games in Panama, where both the men’s and women’s teams are chasing gold. Panama will play all of its matches at Estadio Emilio Royo in a compact round-robin format before Sunday’s medal rounds.

Drivers in Panama Norte say subsidized fuel will only last them about three days, and they are urging authorities to rethink the measure. They say rising fuel costs have forced them to work longer hours to keep earnings afloat.

Panama’s Security Ministry is reinforcing high-crime areas after Frank Ábrego linked recent violence to gang disputes over narcotics control. The plan aims to curb crime and restore public safety.

The White House budget chief declined to say how much the U.S. has spent on the Iran war, deepening scrutiny over the conflict’s cost and transparency. The issue could have ripple effects for energy prices and global markets, including in Latin America.

Panama’s National Chamber of Transportation is waiting for a solution to the fuel subsidy cap issue, which is affecting sector operations. The dispute underscores the pressure fuel policy can place on transport services and commuters.

Hospital Santo Tomás has renewed its emergency room as patient visits continue to climb, with more than 54,000 cases registered in 2025. The upgrade comes as the public hospital faces sustained pressure from rising demand.