Panama’s Under-17 national team has been drawn into Group A for the FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2026, where it will face host Qatar, Egypt and Greece. The tournament runs from November 19 to December 13 and features a record 48 teams.
Panama will face Qatar, Egypt and Greece in Group A at the FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2026. The tournament begins November 19 and will be Panama’s fifth appearance in the competition.
President José Raúl Mulino defended his security strategy as Panama confronts rising homicide concerns, linking much of the violence to gangs and narcotics. He also criticized a prison-related World Cup request and addressed the Canal Authority’s new leadership.
Costa Rica and Panama are deepening a dispute over farm trade, putting pressure on a key regional commerce link. The tensions could affect food supply, prices, and border operations in Panama.
Panama will create a special commission to assess how El Niño could affect agriculture, water resources and canal operations. The move reflects growing concern about drought risks and their impact on food supply and the economy.
Panama will face Brazil in a World Cup warm-up friendly on May 31, giving fans a high-profile test ahead of 2026. The match will air on TVMAX, TVN, TVN Pass, and TVMAX PANAMÁ on YouTube.
President José Raúl Mulino delivered the final phase of Ciudad Esperanza in Vacamonte, completing a major social housing complex in Panama Oeste. The project now houses more than 1,100 beneficiaries from nearby districts.
Panama will transform the Cecilia Orillac de Chiari women’s prison into a production center aimed at rehabilitation, training and direct sales. The project is designed to reduce stigma and build stronger ties with nearby communities.
Panama has suspended electricity sales to Costa Rica as President José Raúl Mulino escalates a long-running trade dispute over agricultural market access. The move adds energy policy to a conflict already shaped by sanitary barriers and WTO arbitration.
Idaan has sent Contraloría an internal audit covering a $51.8 million debt tied to cistern-truck water contracts dating back to 2013. The review adds pressure on a system already under scrutiny for recurring suppliers and politically linked companies.
The Panama Canal is nearing capacity as heightened tensions around the Strait of Hormuz drive stronger demand for U.S. energy exports. The shift underscores Panama’s strategic role in global trade and the pressure on canal scheduling.
Panama has increased health surveillance at ports, airports, and borders after Ebola alerts in Africa. Officials say the country has no reported cases and the public risk remains low.
President José Raúl Mulino defended Panama’s trade restrictions with Costa Rica, saying they protect local production and that no energy sale is currently planned. He also recalled past limits faced by Panamanian exporters to Costa Rica.
Panama City’s municipality is expanding the “Panamá sin lodo” program in Panama Norte and Panama Este, bringing roads and sidewalks to communities that had none. The works have already reached areas housing about 100,000 residents.
President José Raúl Mulino rejected a proposal to add more televisions for inmates, arguing that sentences must be served within the legal framework. The comment adds to Panama’s ongoing debate over prison conditions and penal policy.
Botafogo stayed perfect in Copa Sudamericana Group E with a 3-0 win over Independiente Petrolero, while Panama’s Kadir Barría remained on the bench. The result leaves Botafogo top of the group heading into its final match on May 27.
Panama’s prison director said communal televisions are available in recreation areas at facilities including La Joya and La Mega Joya. The remarks came as interest grows around World Cup viewing and prison conditions.
Shipping flows are shifting toward the Panama Canal as conflict involving Iran affects global route planning. The development highlights how international tensions can quickly boost Panama’s most important trade artery.
Disruption around the Strait of Hormuz is pushing more shipping toward the Panama Canal, highlighting the canal’s role as a global fallback route. The shift could support Panama’s logistics sector while reflecting wider trade uncertainty.
Panama remains among Latin America’s steadier democracies as regional assessments show widening contrasts and growing pressure on institutions. New debates on crime, migration and disinformation are reshaping what democratic resilience means.