News

Panama will invest more than B/.6 million in tourism-related projects, including maintenance for Atlapa, a Bocas del Toro trail and the Chitré Convention Center. The spending aims to support travel, events and local economic activity across multiple regions.

Panama has emerged in Spain’s probe into the Plus Ultra airline rescue through a Panamanian securities firm tied to an earlier loan that helped the carrier qualify for bailout funds. The case underscores how Panama-registered companies can become part of high-profile international corruption and financing investigations.

The U.S. Justice Department is expected to announce in Miami a criminal case tied to the 1996 shootdown of Brothers to the Rescue planes. The move would reopen one of the most sensitive episodes in U.S.-Cuba relations.

A U.S. Airman has become the first from the Air Force to graduate from the Jungle Operations Training Course in Panama. The milestone underscores Panama’s ongoing role in specialized tropical training and regional security cooperation.

A Panamanian court reduced the sentences of two former Financial Pacific executives in the fraud case tied to Caye International Bank, while keeping the same penalties for two others. The ruling remains open to appeal before the Supreme Court.

Former Partido Popular leader Daniel Brea has joined Movimiento Otro Camino, marking a notable shift from one of Panama’s traditional parties to Ricardo Lombana’s reformist movement. His move underscores the continuing realignment of Panama’s political landscape.

Jair Palacios defended his controversial remarks ahead of the Clausura 2026 final, saying he never accused his players and that Alianza FC remained united. The rematch with Plaza Amador now comes with added tension after the earlier handball dispute.

Panama City has approved temporary late-night hours for eligible restaurants during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, aiming to boost tourism, sales and nightlife activity. The permit runs from June 11 to July 19, 2026, with a B/.500 fee and QR-coded certification for enforcement.

Panama is working to win back EU confidence in its fishing sector ahead of a new audit expected this year. Officials say stronger monitoring, traceability and fleet controls could pave the way to a green card and wider seafood access in Europe.

Arsenal won the Premier League title after Bournemouth held Manchester City to a decisive draw at the Vitality Stadium. The result ends Arsenal’s 22-year wait for the crown and marks a major milestone for Mikel Arteta.

The Panama Canal is bracing for possible water shortages as NOAA forecasts a 98% chance of El Niño. The climate shift could affect canal operations, which depend on freshwater reserves in Panama’s watershed.

France has tightened health screening in Mayotte after the Ebola outbreak in Congo, extending checks to arrivals from South Africa. The move reflects growing regional concern about preventing imported cases in the French Indian Ocean territory.

Panama has expressed solidarity with Bolivia’s President Rodrigo Paz as protests, roadblocks and vandalism intensify. The government also asked the OAS to speak out in favor of stability in Bolivia.

UNACHI students are calling for Rector Etelvina Medianero de Bonagas to be removed as investigations deepen into alleged irregularities, degree homologations, and financial problems. The dispute is now affecting campus operations and the university’s ability to finish the academic year smoothly.

Hyundai’s use of an ocean-to-ocean rail route highlights growing competition for cargo that might otherwise move through the Panama Canal. For Panama, the trend underscores why the canal must keep adapting to changing global shipping patterns.

More than 127 people were detained after violent anti-government protests in La Paz, where clashes left police injured, property damaged and roads blocked. The unrest is intensifying pressure on President Rodrigo Paz as shortages spread in Bolivia’s capital region.

Panama’s Reef Committee has asked President José Raúl Mulino to veto Bill 571, saying it weakens protections for coral reefs and coastal ecosystems. The dispute now centers on how the country balances development, marine conservation and climate resilience.

Violence in San Miguelito has forced Panama health centers, including Torrijos Carter, to shorten hours and increase security. Authorities have also imposed curfews in high-risk corregimientos as shootings continue to disrupt daily life.

Fitch Ratings has upgraded Banesco Panamá to A+ (pan), the bank’s highest local rating since entering the market 19 years ago. The move reflects stronger financial performance, solid liquidity and a stable outlook.

Martín Torrijos says the initials of his new UNE party are a coincidence, not a reference to Guatemala’s UNE. The former president is now focused on gathering signatures to register the movement ahead of Panama’s 2029 elections.