Panamanian prosecutors have charged former Social Security Fund director Enrique Lau Cortés with unjust enrichment and money laundering amid conflicting asset-growth estimates. The case now moves through the courts as prosecutors weigh evidence.
The World Bank projects Panama’s economy will grow above 4% annually through 2028, far outpacing the 2.2% regional average, citing sound macroeconomic policies and strength in trade, the Canal, and logistics.
A Panama-flagged vessel, On Peace, was hit by a projectile of unknown origin, leaving 12 crew members injured, according to the Panama Maritime Authority. The incident adds to concerns about the safety of Panama’s vast merchant fleet.
A judge legalized the arrest of Lau Cortés and called a recess in a guarantees hearing conducted without press access, after prosecutors say an audit traced $500,000 in unjustified assets. The case highlights tensions over transparency in Panama’s justice system.
The first-ever Luis Russell Jazz Festival will honor the Bocas del Toro-born jazz pioneer with concerts, workshops, and history events across Isla Colón and Isla Carenero on October 16-17. The community-driven event aims to put Panama’s Caribbean back at the heart of jazz history.
Panama’s transit authority (ATTT) is evaluating changes to traffic regulations that would require licenses for riders of electric scooters and electric motorcycles as micromobility grows.
Panama’s Electoral Code reform bill remains stalled awaiting second debate in the National Assembly, with some deputies citing no climate for discussion and the Panameñista caucus demanding it be returned to first debate.
IDAAN has activated preventive interinstitutional coordination to protect Panama’s drinking water supply from potential El Niño effects, aiming to reinforce service continuity nationwide.
A La Prensa report reveals that 95.4% of millions in health-designated funds transferred to Panama’s National Assembly went to staff salaries, with the rest paying thirteenth-month bonuses. The finding is fueling calls for tighter oversight of legislative budget transfers.
Panama’s National Assembly has one month of ordinary sessions left to debate pending bills, including Electoral Code reforms in second debate and an electric energy law reform still in first debate.
Former BAC Panama finance VP Arnold Salgado Galeano has been arrested for alleged links to Operation Pandora, the criminal network that misappropriated at least $40 million in tax credits through the DGI’s e-Tax 2.0 platform.
The Panama Canal is extending its Long-term Slot Allocation (LoTSA) program to both lock sets for the first time, covering January-April 2027, with sealed-bid competitions set for November 2026.
Singapore has announced its adherence to the Panama Canal Neutrality Treaty during President Mulino’s official visit, while also signing an air cargo cooperation agreement between SATS Ltd. and Tocumen International Airport.
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.
The Panama Canal is raising neopanamax transits to 10 per day and lifting the maximum draft to 49 feet as improved rainfall bolsters Gatun Lake levels. The move reverses summer restrictions imposed amid El Niño concerns and record demand for canal passages.
Albrook Mall says cracks and ground settlements affecting parts of the shopping center are caused by “induced settlements” from nearby construction, widely believed to be linked to Metro Line 3 works. Damage has also been reported at National Police facilities in Ancón.