Month: May 2026

Former President Martín Torrijos says he will officially launch a new political project on May 17. The move is set to draw attention in Panama’s evolving political landscape.

SINAPROC has warned of Pacific tides reaching up to 17 feet in Panama and urged extra precautions in coastal areas. The alert highlights flood risks for low-lying communities along the shoreline.

Doctors at Manuel Amador Guerrero Hospital in Colón performed the facility’s first brain tumor craniotomy, giving the province new access to complex neurosurgery. The patient is recovering in intensive care after emergency surgery for convulsions.

Panama will announce its 26-player World Cup squad after a May 31 friendly against Brazil. The match will serve as the final test before Thomas Christiansen makes his selection.

IFARHU says PASE-U 2026 payments could start between June and July, alongside a new card system for scholarships and student aid. The update affects how Panama may distribute education support this year.

The Panama Canal is taking steps to protect operations as El Niño raises concerns about dry conditions and falling water levels. Officials want to avoid a repeat of the 2023 drought that disrupted ship traffic and global trade.

Controlled closures and temporary detours are set for several points on the Pan-American Highway in Panama Oeste as the Ministry of Public Works carries out road work. Drivers in the area should expect delays and plan alternate routes.

Afro Panamá Food returns this weekend to Mi Pueblito Afroantillano in Panama City with more than 80 entrepreneurs, live music and Afro-Panamanian traditions. The two-day event is part of Black Ethnicity Month and runs Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

The UAE is speeding up a pipeline project meant to move oil around the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most vulnerable energy chokepoints. The move is meant to protect exports and help meet global demand.

Victoriano Lorenzo’s public execution on May 15, 1903 became a lasting symbol of resistance in Panama. His life and death remain closely tied to land rights, Indigenous struggle, and the road to independence.

BRICS foreign ministers failed to issue a joint statement, highlighting deep divisions over the war involving Iran and the bloc’s ability to present a united front. The split could weaken BRICS’ influence in global diplomacy.

Panama’s MIDES will distribute the second 2026 social assistance payment from June 1 to June 12 through Tarjeta Clave Social. The cycle covers Red de Oportunidades, Ángel Guardián, 120 a los 65, and SENAPAN beneficiaries.

Panama will soon require fast-food combo meals to offer water as an option instead of sugary drinks. The law takes effect in one year and applies to all businesses that sell food-and-beverage combos nationwide.

Israel and Lebanon continued ceasefire talks in Washington even as Israeli strikes killed seven people in Lebanon, highlighting how fragile the border remains. Beirut is demanding an end to attacks and the occupation of its territory.

Congo has confirmed a new Ebola outbreak in Ituri province, where 65 people have died. The flare-up has renewed concern about regional spread and global health preparedness.

First Quantum says Panama has lost about $3.5 billion since the Cobre Panamá mine was shut down. The closure continues to affect jobs, exports, public revenue, and investor confidence.

Panama’s Ministry of Economy and Finance has outlined the official calculation for CEPANIM 2026 and started printing certificates. Gains from selling or negotiating CEPANIM will be fully exempt from national taxes.

Panama will face Brazil in a World Cup warm-up match on May 31 at 3:00 p.m. The friendly will air on TVMAX, TVN, TVN Pass, and the TVMAX PANAMÁ YouTube channel.

Panama’s Supreme Court struck down a rule that let taxpayers seek state damages before the Administrative Tax Tribunal, saying only the administrative contentious courts can rule on compensation claims. The decision reinforces constitutional limits on the tribunal’s powers.

Panama City’s 24th Municipal Book, Art and Culture Fair brought students, families and local groups together for two days of reading, performances and community services. The event at the Hatillo building blended books, dance, health outreach and children’s activities.