Reporting on criminal incidents, investigations, and law enforcement responses across Panama. Stories focus on facts, community impact, and safety developments.
Panama prosecutors have launched an investigation after gunshots were fired during an alleged robbery attempt in Chiriquí. The confrontation began in a bank parking lot and involved three people.
Panama’s Supreme Court upheld Ricardo Martinelli’s conviction in the New Business money-laundering case, rejecting three constitutional challenges. The ruling keeps in place his prison sentence, fine and ban from public office.
Former Colón mayor Alex Lee has been arrested for a second time in Panama, renewing attention on an active anti-corruption case. The case is drawing interest because of Colón’s key role in the country’s canal and logistics network.
A crash in Mexico that killed four officials, including two Americans widely reported to be CIA officers, is raising questions about U.S. anti-cartel operations. The incident has renewed scrutiny of cross-border security cooperation and the risks of covert support missions.
Panama’s Superior Court of Liquidation of Criminal Cases upheld Daniel Ochy’s eight-year sentence in the Arraiján-La Chorrera highway corruption case. The ruling keeps in place convictions tied to alleged contract violations, improper work, and multimillion-dollar damage to the state.
Police detained two people in Doleguita, Chiriquí, after gunfire was reported near a school following a struggle between three individuals in a bank parking lot. The incident raised public concern because it occurred close to an educational center.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum is considering sanctions on Chihuahua state after two U.S. officials died following a drug lab raid in northern Mexico. The case has raised fresh questions about security cooperation and accountability in the fight against organized crime.
A Panamanian man wanted for homicide and escape from La Joya prison was arrested in central Medellín on Tuesday. The case highlights cross-border cooperation in the pursuit of fugitives linked to serious crimes.
Panama’s Ministry of Education has filed a criminal complaint over alleged fake teaching credentials used to gain advantages in hiring competitions. The case involves suspected irregularities in several regions, including Bocas del Toro, Ngäbe-Buglé, Herrera, and Darién.
Former Colón mayor Alex Lee was detained in an investigation into alleged peculado linked to local community boards and an estimated $6 million loss. Two former Barrio Sur representatives and a former Barrio Norte treasurer were also apprehended.
Police detained two men after a gunfire incident near a school in Dolega, Chiriquí, following a rapid response by National Police units. The arrest came immediately after the shooting raised concern in the area.
Former Colón mayor Alex Lee was detained this morning in a police operation linked to decentralization in the province. The case puts public spending and local accountability back in focus in one of Panama’s most important regions.
Police detained two people after gunfire broke out near Doleguita School in Dolega, Chiriquí, following an argument in a nearby bank parking lot. No injuries were reported, and firearms were recovered at the scene.
Police evacuated a school in Doleguita after gunfire was reported nearby, and two people were detained. Officers stayed in the area to secure the scene and gather evidence.
Authorities seized 365 suspected drug packages on Playa Bella Vista in Los Santos during an operation that extended beyond the initial search area. The find forms part of Panama’s ongoing anti-narcotics work along coastal zones.
A Panamanian fugitive wanted for homicide and escaping from La Joya prison has been arrested in Colombia after nearly seven years on the run. Investigators are also examining possible links to international drug trafficking.
Roberto Welch Sevillano, a convicted gang figure with two homicide sentences, was killed in an armed clash inside La Joya prison. The shooting triggered a lockdown response, searches, and a suspension of visits.
A Panama-flagged container ship, identified as the Euphoria, was among three vessels attacked in the Strait of Hormuz. The incident highlights the risks facing global shipping in one of the world’s most important maritime chokepoints.
Panama City neighborhoods Bella Vista, San Francisco and Betania lead vehicle theft complaints, while Chiriquí and Panamá Oeste also rank high. The pattern points to a crime issue concentrated in the country’s busiest urban and commuter zones.
Former Colón mayor Alex Lee was detained during Operation Litus over an alleged $6 million embezzlement scheme. The case adds new scrutiny to public spending and corruption oversight in Panama’s Atlantic province.