Reporting on criminal incidents, investigations, and law enforcement responses across Panama. Stories focus on facts, community impact, and safety developments.
A bizarre own goal has sparked a match-fixing investigation in Panama, raising fresh concerns about integrity in domestic football. The case highlights growing scrutiny of suspicious incidents on the pitch.
A bizarre own goal in Panama has triggered a match-fixing investigation, raising concerns about integrity in domestic football. The case highlights the scrutiny that unusual on-field incidents can bring to the sport.
A Panama opinion column criticizes the government’s prison resocialization strategy under Dinoska Montalvo, arguing that policy has become more symbolic than effective. It says reducing crime will require deeper social and institutional reforms, not just more prisons.
An elderly woman in Chiriquí has died after an attack allegedly carried out by her son on January 24, 2026. The case highlights the dangers of domestic violence and abuse against vulnerable older adults.
A temporary curfew in Belisario Frías and Arnulfo Arias has emptied streets in San Miguelito, with officials saying any expansion will depend on results. The measure remains under review as authorities assess its effectiveness.
Firefighters contained a small fire at IDAAN’s headquarters on Vía Brasil in Panama City. The affected areas were the Human Resources and Legal Advisory offices.
Residents and former staff in Ancón have filed an anticorruption complaint against representative Yamireth Batista over alleged misuse of public funds and mistreatment of personnel. MOCA has opened an internal inquiry and distanced itself from the allegations.
U.S. Ambassador Kevin Marino Cabrera has linked recent cyberattacks on Panamanian institutions to American concerns over Huawei and Chinese technology influence. The remarks add fresh pressure to Panama’s cybersecurity and telecom policy debates.
Authorities in Ancón detained a man after finding 125 packages of suspected drugs hidden beneath a vehicle’s chassis. The seizure points to continued efforts to stop trafficking through Panama’s transport routes.
Police detained a suspect known as “Estrellita” in San Miguelito over an attempted homicide against an officer. The arrest took place in Belisario Frías, in the area known as Los Ratas.
About 40 people, including minors, were detained in San Miguelito for violating the district’s curfew. The enforcement highlights ongoing security measures in one of Panama’s busiest urban areas.
A traffic crash in Santa Ana, Los Santos, left one person dead and another seriously injured on the road to Playa El Rompío. Authorities have opened an investigation while firefighters renewed calls for cautious driving.
Panama’s National Migration Service detected 15 foreign nationals in irregular status during operations in San Francisco and Costa del Este. The cases involved work in commercial businesses and digital platforms.
Panama was part of a multinational operation against child abuse networks that led to seven arrests in the country and 84 overall. The crackdown spanned several countries and highlighted growing cross-border law enforcement cooperation.
San Miguelito’s new weekend curfew led to 40 detentions on its first night, including two minors. Police said the operation targeted areas with high crime levels and will continue through the weekend.
Panama’s SENAN has received new maritime interceptor boats to strengthen anti-drug operations at sea. The delivery reflects continued U.S.-Panama cooperation against narcotrafficking and transnational crime.
Two top officials in Sinaloa have temporarily stepped down after the United States indicted them and eight others on drug trafficking charges. The case adds pressure on Mexico’s ruling party and raises fresh concerns about organized crime ties in a key trafficking state.
Panama’s National Aeronaval Service has received two new U.S.-supplied interceptor boats to strengthen maritime anti-drug operations. The vessels will support patrols in the Caribbean and Pacific as Panama expands its fight against traffickers.
Police in Los Santos urged residents to report suspicious activity after items of doubtful origin, including laptops and gas cylinders, were found in the Las Tablas cemetery. The discovery has raised concern over possible theft or illegal dumping.
Panamanian authorities seized 700 suspected drug packages north of Portobelo, Colón, in a joint SENAN and Public Ministry operation. Two Colombian nationals were detained.