Ecuador’s defense minister says repeat ‘shipwrecked’ sailors rescued near Panama are often drug couriers who ditch their boats after deliveries. Panama’s maritime rescue services may be inadvertently funding trafficking logistics.
Support for democracy in Panama fell nine points to 45%, the sharpest decline among Latin American countries that changed governments, according to Latinobarometro 2026. The survey also found record-low confidence in the State, public spending, and the National Assembly.
President José Raúl Mulino began a state visit to Singapore focused on logistics cooperation, air services, a mutual legal assistance treaty, and carbon credits, before continuing to Vietnam. He will tour the Tuas Port, set to become the world’s largest automated container terminal.
Proposed modifications to Panama’s electoral reform bill have sparked internal crises in political parties, leading to resignations by members of parliament as the National Assembly debate continues.
Two fishermen, Caleb Noriel Wilson, 34, and Antuan Bernardo Wilson, 39, have been missing off Bocas del Toro since September 29, with relatives and authorities continuing the search after five days without news.
