Reporting on criminal incidents, investigations, and law enforcement responses across Panama. Stories focus on facts, community impact, and safety developments.
Panama’s Ministry of Security said more than 8,000 rounds of ammunition and 600 firearms were destroyed after police and prosecutors removed them from circulation. The move highlights ongoing efforts to reduce illegal weapons and strengthen public safety.
Authorities detained 40 people on the first night of the San Miguelito curfew, including two minors. The measure runs through May 11 amid concern over crime and recent homicides.
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.
A judge sentenced two former Río Indio officials to prison for peculado linked to more than $301,000 in irregular public funds. The case is part of a wider Panama anticorruption push over decentralized spending.
Panamanian national Héctor Torres is missing in Guatemala after being robbed while working in cargo transport. His disappearance has prompted calls for support and concern over the safety of regional transport workers.
An elderly man died in a traffic accident in Los Santos, bringing Panama’s 2026 road death toll to seven. Residents say the road’s curve and frequent speeding make the area especially dangerous.
Panama’s Public Ministry has opened an investigation into a vehicle fire in Santiago de Veraguas after surveillance cameras reportedly captured suspects dousing cars with fuel. Authorities are now working to determine who was involved and whether the blaze was intentional.
San Miguelito has imposed a nightly curfew in Belisario Frías and Arnulfo Arias from 10:00 p.m. to 4:00 a.m. in response to crime. Mayor Irma Hernández is asking residents to support efforts to reduce criminal activity.
Panamanian authorities seized 137 suspected drug packages from an abandoned boat near Mosquito Island. The Drug Prosecutor’s Office is carrying out the investigation.
Panama’s National Police defended its ballistic vests after the death of officer Albis Espinoza in El Chorrillo, saying no vest offers total body protection. The government is also reviewing the force’s equipment stock, including expired vests and a planned new purchase.
Panamanian authorities seized 194 suspected drug packages hidden in a container from Jamaica that was heading to Ireland. The bust adds to 3,307 illicit packages confiscated at ports in Panama so far in 2026.
Former officials were arrested in Panama over an alleged embezzlement case tied to Don Bosco Technical Institute in Panama City. The probe is part of Operation “Pupitre,” which has put education spending under scrutiny.
Three people were arrested in Panama City during Operation “Pupitre” in an embezzlement probe involving the Don Bosco Technical Institute. Prosecutors say the case centers on alleged misuse of school funds and a reported loss of about $130,000.
Panama’s logistics hub brings trade advantages, but it also makes the country attractive to transnational crime. A stronger response requires coordination, intelligence and prevention alongside enforcement.
Authorities in Panama are warning residents about fraudulent text messages sent by impostors posing as officials to trick people into scams. Citizens are urged not to click suspicious links or share personal information.
A court in Panama kept former Colón mayor Alex Lee in provisional detention after rejecting a request to change his precautionary measure. He is being investigated for alleged aggravated embezzlement tied to public funds in Barrio Sur.
Residents in Colón are raising alarm over violence and crime, while Panama’s Security Ministry and National Police say they are maintaining operations in the province. The issue remains central to public safety and local stability.
A 19-year-old was stabbed twice during a fight in Almirante, Bocas del Toro, and was rushed to Changuinola in delicate condition. The incident highlights the danger of violent altercations involving sharp weapons.
Residents in Panama City’s Vía Argentina are reporting rising insecurity tied to vehicle theft, noise, drug use, and disorder around nightlife venues. The complaints center on the area’s busy nighttime activity and its impact on nearby homes.
Panama’s appeals court kept Alex Lee, Javier Lynch, and Orlando Salazar in preventive detention over alleged embezzlement tied to public funds in Colón. The case centers on separate investigations involving social programs and community works financed through decentralization money.