News

Panama’s prison authority says televisions in detention centers are not a right, responding to concerns raised by the Public Defender’s Office. Some facilities already use shared TVs in communal areas, including La Mega Joya, La Joya, and La Joyita.

Police and prosecutors dismantled a fraud ring in Panama that impersonated banks to trick users into transferring money. The case underscores the growing threat of financial scams built on trust and urgency.

The United States has charged former Cuban leader Raúl Castro over the 1996 shootdown of two civilian planes that killed four aviators. The case revives a long-running flashpoint in U.S.-Cuba relations and comes amid fresh pressure on Havana.

The United States has indicted former Cuban president Raúl Castro over the 1996 shootdown of two civilian planes, reviving a major Cuba-U.S. flashpoint. The case remains significant for regional politics and the Cuban exile community.

UNACHI staff and students marched in Chiriquí demanding Rector Etelvina Medianero de Bonagas step down amid payroll, debt and budget concerns. The dispute has put Panama’s university oversight and public spending under fresh scrutiny.

A partial closure is underway at the Via Brasil roundabout in Panama City as the Ministry of Public Works carries out drainage work. Drivers should expect slower traffic and possible detours in one of the capital’s busiest corridors.

Perico Island’s cruise port has become another example of Panama’s difficult balance between foreign investment, anti-corruption action, and control of strategic infrastructure. The dispute sits alongside seizures of canal ports and ongoing liquidation cases involving major public contracts.

Police director Jaime Fernández said the attacker in the case involving fiscal Ossa is not part of Panama’s public security forces. He also outlined a broader security strategy centered on domestic violence, microtrafficking and anti-gang operations.

Southampton have been expelled from the Championship playoffs after admitting to unauthorized filming of another club’s training session. Middlesbrough will now face Hull City at Wembley for promotion to the Premier League.

Mango founder Isak Andic’s death in a Montserrat hiking accident has turned into a homicide investigation, with his son Jonathan now under judicial scrutiny. The case has put one of Spain’s most influential retail families and its succession fight back in the spotlight.

A Panama transshipment group will deploy BigBear.ai’s cargo security platform, highlighting the country’s push to modernize trade screening and logistics operations. The move could improve cargo visibility in one of Central America’s key shipping hubs.

Panama’s Education Forum 2026 is bringing together officials, business leaders and specialists to debate how the country can prepare students for the future. The discussion also highlights the need for stronger institutions and long-term policy agreements.

CAF has expressed interest in financing canal-linked port projects in Panama, including Isla Telfers and Corozal, as part of a $10 billion regional integration push through 2031. The move highlights Panama’s role in shifting global trade and regional logistics.

Casco Viejo has become Panama’s top tourist attraction, but complaints about noise and weak management are raising concerns about the visitor experience. The challenge now is whether authorities can protect the historic district’s appeal while tourism keeps growing.

The ACP board is expected to advance the search for the next Canal administrator as Panama’s most critical infrastructure faces major decisions. At the same time, diplomatic turnover and political realignments are reshaping the country’s wider landscape.

Latin America’s universities are confronting more than an AI challenge: they face structural pressure to become faster, more flexible, and more relevant. For Panama, the issue carries direct implications for workforce readiness and competitiveness.

Artificial intelligence is already affecting Panama’s finance, logistics, health, and hiring systems, but the country still lacks a specific legal framework. The debate now is whether waiting protects innovation or simply leaves key decisions in the hands of opaque systems.

Panama’s strategic geography could support a regional short-sea shipping network that eases road bottlenecks and strengthens trade. The debate now is whether the country will turn that idea into a true maritime strategy.

Panama’s rice debate is centering on food security, with millers urging data-driven planning to protect consumers, farmers and supply stability. Climate pressure from El Niño is adding urgency to decisions on inventories, harvest timing and market coordination.

Tu Samaritano is a volunteer transport network in Panama that gives cancer patients free rides to the National Oncology Institute. In five months, it has grown to 144 volunteers.