Panama’s government, led by Minister Chapman, is evaluating additional support measures for retirees, with a follow-up meeting tentatively set for September 15 at the Presidency. The announcement follows an initial dialogue between officials and retiree representatives.
Panama’s National Assembly is debating two rival electricity reform bills that would modernize a nearly 30-year-old regulatory framework, boosting consumer protections, penalties for distributors, and market opening ahead of the 2028 concession expirations.
The town of Ocú gave a historic farewell to accordion legend Yin Carrizo, with Archbishop José Domingo Ulloa calling on Panama to ensure its great artists have disciples, not just admirers. His ashes were laid to rest after a Mass and a tribute by five prize-winning folk accordionists.
Panama’s National Police have confirmed the use of undercover agents while denying infiltration of social groups, after unions and human rights organizations filed a formal complaint alleging a surveillance network. The case has now reached the Attorney General’s Office and UN Special Rapporteurs.
CAF has granted Panama’s Banco Nacional a record $500 million loan to support 3,300 SMEs, women-led businesses, and agriculture hit by El Niño-driven drought. The funds will also back green energy projects as the country faces rainfall drops of up to 55 percent.
Panamanian forward Édgar Yoel Bárcenas underwent successful knee surgery to repair a meniscus injury, his Greek club Iraklis FC announced. The procedure pauses a strong start that included a debut goal against Asteras Tripolis.
The UTP community held a human chain to demand justice and faster investigations into the forced disappearance of student Jafeth González.
Students at Panama’s Autonomous University of Indigenous Peoples are demanding the resignation of interim rector Demetrio Santamaría Montezuma after the university failed to justify a $3 million budget allocation for fiscal year 2027.
Panama’s National Assembly unanimously approved a bill granting free five-year electronic passports to students who represent the country in international sporting, cultural, scientific, and academic events. The measure aims to remove cost barriers that have kept young Panamanians from competing abroad.
Panama’s national employment fair has registered 18,000 job seekers so far and aims for 30,000, with an in-person event at Atlapa on September 15-16 and a virtual platform open nationwide from September 14-20.
Nine people have been sentenced for gang activity in San Miguelito under Operation ‘Custodia,’ after prosecutors linked the structure to thefts, forced evictions, and arson against residents of Santa Marta’s Sector 42 and Las Colinas.
Acodeco has published the maximum prices for 25-pound gas tanks across Panama under Executive Decree No. 32 of 2026, with prices varying by locality and enforcement available through consumer complaints.
The IFARHU has confirmed that the second PASE-U payment for secondary students will be credited to the Mastercard debit card issued by the Caja de Ahorros. Students and families should watch for official payment dates.
Residents of Colón protested outside ENSA offices after a prolonged failure in the prepaid electricity recharge system left families without power, causing food losses amid intense heat. The company faces mounting public pressure to resolve the outage and compensate affected users.
A new Panamanian law prohibits banks, credit institutions, and insurers from discriminating against cancer survivors who have been cancer-free for five years after treatment. Companies that violate the law face fines starting at $10,000.
Panama’s Latinex exchange reported a 69.6% surge in trading volume through July 2026 to $6,883 million, and announced an alliance with Euroclear Bank and the Luxembourg Stock Exchange to give local issuers access to international markets.
Staff at the Universidad Autónoma de Chiriquí (Unachi) have gone two pay periods without salaries, with Rector Absel Navarro blaming an administrative limbo facing the new administration and asking employees for patience.
A Panamanian man wanted for six years was arrested in Costa Rica and handed over to Panamanian authorities, who allege links to the Tren de Aragua criminal organization. The capture shows growing cross-border cooperation.
Panama’s Executive branch and the Vamos coalition have each presented draft laws to radically reform the electricity market ahead of the 2028 distribution concession expiry, proposing new ASEP intervention powers, competitive sale of distributor shares, consumer protections, and market opening to independent sellers.
San Miguelito would lose a National Assembly seat under Bill 700, which reconfigures Panama’s electoral circuits. Local deputies argue the new rules should also apply to circuits with fewer inhabitants.
