Panama brought together security agencies, local governments and international experts for the seventh International Congress on Criminality. The talks centered on strategies to confront organized crime, drug trafficking and gangs.
UAPI students went to the National Assembly alleging they were blocked from enrolling after speaking out about irregularities at the university. They say the move violates their right to education.
The Bridge of the Americas will be fully closed Thursday for a structural test, with traffic redirected to the Centenario Bridge. The shutdown affects a key Panama Canal crossing used by commuters and freight traffic.
Panama’s retiree bonus law is drawing criticism because only people on Social Security payrolls through June 2024 qualify. The debate has renewed concern about whether older adults are receiving the discounts and protections guaranteed by law.
Panama’s National Lottery has suspended Lotto and Pega 3 after a Supreme Court ruling. The institution says it will pay all valid prizes still awaiting claim.
Panama is facing higher fuel costs tied to global conflict even as the canal gains strategic importance. The moment could strengthen the country’s standing if it uses it to build a more durable economic vision.
Panama’s Penitentiary System suspended in-person visits at La Joya, La Joyita and La Nueva Joya through April 27 after a security incident left one inmate dead. Authorities said they activated protocols, carried out inspections and will reschedule family visits.
Colón and Bocas del Toro met in a decisive game seven for a spot in the Béisbol Mayor 2026 final. Chiriquí is already waiting after securing its place in the championship series.
Panama’s cabinet has approved the import of 90,000 quintals of coffee to relieve a domestic shortage. The move is intended to stabilize supply for consumers and businesses.
Tensions in the Strait of Hormuz are lifting shipping costs and adding pressure on the Panama Canal, as carriers adjust routes and trade flows shift. The canal’s role as a global chokepoint makes it vulnerable to disruptions far beyond Panama’s borders.
Vamos lawmakers say Panama’s Contraloría changed the labor status of 39 employees without consent, placing them on unpaid leave. The Comptroller General’s Office has responded, intensifying the dispute over public-sector employment practices.
Panama has approved the importation of 90,000 quintals of green coffee to address a domestic shortage, with a 3% tariff and a deadline of September 30, 2026. Officials say the measure is meant to ease supply pressure without harming local production.
A violent altercation between inmates in La Joya prison on April 21 left one person dead. The incident highlights ongoing security challenges inside Panama’s penitentiary system.
Panama’s government agreed to pay $14.9 million to settle a dispute with the Nuevo ION Panamá consortium over the canceled new national cancer institute project. The payment will be split between 2026 and 2027.
Ifarhu has extended its scholarship process in Azuero and Coclé through April 24, giving students more time to participate. The effort highlights academic merit and high student averages.
Authorities in Cerro Azul are warning of critically low levels in the Cabra River as rainfall deficits continue to strain local water reserves. Even reserve tanks are showing insufficient levels, adding to concern in the area.
Panama is grappling with the economic and labor-market damage left by the 2023 closure of First Quantum’s Cobre Panama mine. The shutdown has weighed on growth, jobs, and broader business activity.
Panama is confronting the economic fallout from the 2023 shutdown of First Quantum Minerals’ Cobre Panamá mine, with growth and jobs taking a hit. The closure has rippled through suppliers, workers and local businesses tied to one of the country’s biggest private projects.
Panama’s economic debate is centering on whether the country should prioritize costly mega-projects or invest first in jobs, water security, and strategic infrastructure. The discussion highlights pressure on public finances, the Canal, ports, and investment policy.
Panama will pay nearly $15 million to settle a dispute tied to the new ION project, after the consortium sought more than B/.70 million in arbitration. The case highlights the financial risks of major public contract disagreements.
