Month: April 2026

China rejected U.S. remarks about Panama’s sovereignty, calling the position hypocritical. The dispute underscores Panama’s strategic importance amid broader U.S.-China rivalry.

China accused the United States of hypocrisy after Washington raised concerns about Panama’s sovereignty. The dispute adds to broader U.S.-China competition over influence in Panama and the wider region.

China has pushed back after the United States voiced concern over Panama’s sovereignty, raising the stakes in a wider geopolitical rivalry. The dispute highlights Panama’s strategic importance because of the canal and its role in global trade.

China has accused the United States of hypocrisy after Washington voiced concern over Panama’s sovereignty. The dispute reflects growing great-power competition around the strategically vital Panama Canal.

China has accused the United States of hypocrisy after Washington raised concerns about Panama’s sovereignty. The dispute highlights Panama’s strategic importance and its role in wider U.S.-China tensions.

China has accused the United States of hypocrisy after Washington raised concerns over Panama’s sovereignty. The dispute underscores Panama’s strategic importance amid wider rivalry between major powers.

President José Raúl Mulino thanked international allies after Chinese authorities retained vessels in ports in China, while urging calm and avoiding public controversy. The matter has drawn attention from China’s Foreign Ministry and highlights Panama’s strategic trade ties.

Panama is promoting its workforce for the global cruise industry as the 2025-2026 season is projected to bring 246 confirmed operations. The country’s role as both a home port and a port of call is expected to deepen the economic impact of cruise tourism.

Panama Canal Administrator Ricaurte Vásquez said the waterway will not speculate on prices as global shipping faces pressure from tensions around the Strait of Hormuz. The canal is emphasizing transparency and stability to preserve confidence among shipping lines.

Four people were detained in Panama and Chiriquí over a bank fraud case involving more than B/.786,000. The operation underscores continued efforts to crack down on financial crime.

Copa Airlines continues to serve as Panama’s flagship carrier, linking the country with cities across the Americas. Its network reinforces Panama City’s role as a regional air hub and a key driver of travel and commerce.

Panama’s National Assembly is advancing a bill that would add a $1.50 fee per TEU container entering the country’s ports to help fund pension equalization. The proposal has sparked concern in the logistics and maritime sectors.

Panama immigration granted Ali Zaki Hage Jalil permanent residency in 1993, months before the Alas Chiricanas bombing that killed 21 people. He is now detained in Panama after being transferred from Venezuela for prosecution.

The United States and allies have voiced support for Panama’s sovereignty as tensions grow over the Panama Canal and China’s role in operations. The statement also raised concern about recent actions affecting Panama-flagged vessels.

A jewelry store robbery in Costa del Este ended with police blocking escape routes in the South Corridor and arresting the suspects. National Police said the operation cornered them after the theft.

Panama Canal administrator Ricaurte Vásquez said El Niño will be a decisive factor in how the waterway operates, given its dependence on rainfall. The warning underscores the canal’s ongoing need to manage water availability closely.

Panama’s fuel prices will shift on May 1, with diesel set to drop and 95-octane gasoline expected to rise. The change comes as subsidy costs climb above earlier government estimates.

MIT students spent a month in Panama studying how real estate development can better serve communities, not just investors. The experience highlighted the importance of livability, planning, and long-term urban growth.

Panama’s Assembly has moved a pension bill forward that would fund higher benefits with a new $1.50 charge per TEU, alarming the maritime sector. Port operators warn the fee could hurt competitiveness and cargo volumes.

Panama’s Pacific upwelling failed to appear for the first time in about 40 years, raising concerns for marine ecosystems and fisheries. The rare shift highlights how vulnerable the country’s coastal waters are to changing ocean conditions.