The Panama Canal has become a fresh point of tension in the wider U.S.-China rivalry, underscoring its strategic role in global trade. For Panama, the dispute highlights the canal’s importance to both sovereignty and the national economy.
Nayib Bukele has become a defining figure in Latin American politics, praised for crushing gang violence and criticized for dismantling democratic checks. His next moves will help shape the region’s debate over security and power.
China is pressing Washington and Beijing to prioritize the ceasefire and reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, warning that the shipping chokepoint is a global security concern. The dispute could ripple through energy prices and trade routes far beyond the Gulf.
The Panama Canal is being pulled into a wider geopolitical struggle over key shipping routes as the U.S. seeks to curb China’s influence. The canal’s role as a global trade chokepoint gives Panama added strategic importance.
Trump has rejected Iran’s latest peace proposal, saying its terms are unacceptable as the war reaches day 64. The standoff keeps diplomatic hopes dim and raises the risk of wider regional and economic fallout.
Bocas del Toro rallied in the late innings to beat Chiriquí 6-4 in Game 7 and defend its Panama National Major Baseball Championship title. The dramatic win delivered the province’s fifth crown and its second straight championship.
Panama is at the center of renewed debate over sovereignty, foreign influence and control of strategic port assets. The dispute highlights the country’s exposed position in the wider U.S.-China rivalry.
Panama has been pulled into a growing global fight over strategic port assets, after temporary management changes sparked retaliation and a multibillion-dollar lawsuit. The dispute highlights the country’s central role in maritime trade and geopolitical competition.
A sharp political satire imagines José Raúl Mulino clashing with health officials over a new pediatric hospital, staffing gaps, and the politics of plaques. It uses the moment to question whether Panama’s health investments can deliver real care without enough personnel.
Panama is advancing a tax reform that would require multinational companies to prove real economic activity in the country or face a 15% levy on gross income. The plan is aimed at curbing tax avoidance and helping Panama meet international transparency standards.
Panama’s National Assembly closed its session with key anti-corruption bills and a major internal rules reform still stalled. Lawmakers blame committee bottlenecks and a lack of political will as the agenda moves into the next legislative cycle.
Ronny Rodríguez and William Pittí have asked a Panamanian court to nullify the spyware investigation against them, alleging due process violations and expired deadlines. The case is set for trial again on May 22.
Panama has received a $60 million World Bank loan to modernize its cadastre and digitize land records. The overhaul targets long-running problems with land titles, outdated data, and irregular property deals.
Panamanian oncologist Amarilis Salado is training in Spain on advanced radiotherapy systems, including MR Linac and proton therapy. She plans to bring that expertise back to Panama to help strengthen cancer care.
Panama’s National Assembly approved Law 571, easing restrictions on interventions in coral reefs and seagrass beds. President José Raúl Mulino now must decide whether to sign or veto the measure.
Panama City’s Vía España is set for a major redesign centered on exclusive MiBus lanes, new stations and wider pedestrian infrastructure. The $80.1 million project promises faster transit and urban renewal, but it has also raised concerns among businesses and residents along the corridor.
Donald Trump accused U.S. forces of acting “like pirates” in relation to Iranian ships near the Strait of Hormuz, sharpening tensions over a vital global shipping lane. The dispute matters far beyond the Gulf because any disruption there can reverberate through energy markets and trade routes reaching Panama and Latin America.
Cuba has rejected new Trump sanctions, calling them collective punishment and warning they will deepen hardship for ordinary people. The move renews a long-running standoff with implications across the Caribbean and Latin America.
China’s detentions of Panama-flagged vessels have triggered a joint backlash from the U.S. and five Latin American and Caribbean nations. The dispute puts Panama’s global ship registry and maritime reputation in the spotlight.
Peru has launched an investigation into claims that citizens were lured by fake job offers and trafficked into Russia’s war in Ukraine. The case highlights growing concerns over transnational recruitment scams tied to an active conflict.