The latest, verified reporting on events across Panama and beyond. This section covers breaking stories, developments, and essential daily news.
Archbishop José Domingo Ulloa praised the Canal’s next administrator as a merit-based choice, turning the appointment into a broader call for cleaner public hiring in Panama. The debate also comes amid shifting alliances in the National Assembly and high-level regional visits.
A Centroamérica Cuenta 2026 panel in Panama City highlighted growing concern over children’s screen use and the need to strengthen reading, play, and family conversation. Speakers said technology can complement literature, but adults must guide how children use it.
China is backing Cuba with food aid, energy support and debt flexibility, but it is avoiding a large-scale rescue that could deepen tensions with the United States. The island’s crisis shows how Beijing balances ideology with strategic caution in Latin America.
Licensable picture: Celebrations for the 14th anniversary of Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado’s “Vente Venezuela” political movement, in Panama City Reuters Connect
Licensable picture: Celebrations for the 14th anniversary of Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado’s “Vente Venezuela” political movement, in Panama City Reuters Connect
China and Taiwan’s coast guards clashed in a tense patrol confrontation near Pratas Island, a strategically important Taiwan-controlled territory in the South China Sea. The incident adds to a growing pattern of maritime pressure in one of the world’s most sensitive waterways.
The United States has accused Hezbollah’s leadership of trying to drag Lebanon into chaos, sharpening pressure on the armed group amid long-running instability. The warning highlights how regional tensions could ripple through diplomacy, security, and global markets.
Panama’s cultural agenda for May 25-29 includes theater, concerts, exhibitions, gastronomy and Afro-Panamanian events in several provinces. The week highlights the country’s arts scene and the Month of the Black Ethnicity.
Communities in Veraguas are demanding a permanent solution after fires at the Montijo landfill affected nearby residents. Their call includes the possible relocation of the dump.
IMA Agroferias will operate this Tuesday, May 26, at 10 sales points across Panama starting at 8:00 a.m. Shoppers must bring their ID card and reusable bags.
Rubén Blades was honored in Panama City as the Instituto Cervantes received his maracas and handwritten Patria lyrics for its legacy archive. The tribute highlighted his influence on salsa, Panamanian identity and Spanish-language culture.
Unachi students are demanding the resignation of Rector Etelvina Medianero de Bonagas, accusing the administration of mismanagement, nepotism and neglect. The clash adds pressure on a public university already under scrutiny for financial and institutional instability.
Panama has scrapped the tax on casino and betting winnings in an effort to draw more tourists and strengthen its gaming industry. The policy could help hotels, entertainment venues, and urban tourism in Panama City.
Panama will meet Brazil in a May 31 friendly that will serve as a major test in the buildup to the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The match will be widely broadcast across television, radio, and streaming platforms.
Mexican authorities seized more than 54,000 liters of chemical material at Manzanillo port in a case linked to synthetic drug production. The operation highlights growing pressure on Pacific port security and precursor chemical trafficking routes.
Panama City Hall has extended its deadline to release records on adviser contracts, advertising spending, and suspended public works. The case is drawing attention because it touches on transparency, budget priorities, and the stalled Calle 50 renewal project.
Iran and the United States are edging toward a deal centered on the Strait of Hormuz, with Pakistan mediating and Europe welcoming progress. The main unresolved issue remains whether any agreement will include binding limits on Iran’s nuclear program.
Bolivia is facing mounting protests from campesinos, miners, teachers and transport workers as civic and religious leaders urge talks. The unrest is testing President Rodrigo Paz six months into his term.
Panama’s first-trimester school break will run from June 1 to June 5, 2026, with the second trimester beginning on June 8. The short pause will shape family planning, travel, and school routines nationwide.
Panama’s organized crime landscape is dominated by rival gang federations that control territory, ports, prisons, and drug routes. The country’s geography keeps it central to cocaine flows toward Europe and North America.