The latest, verified reporting on events across Panama and beyond. This section covers breaking stories, developments, and essential daily news.
Patients and insured residents in Bocas del Toro are urging the Caja de Seguro Social to activate an intensive care unit at Hospital Raúl Dávila Mena. The request highlights concerns about access to critical care in one of Panama’s more remote provinces.
Minsa is reviewing how to launch 24/7 service at health centers in Panama, with officials saying the change requires staffing, budget and security planning. The ministry plans to prioritize areas with the highest demand first.
CSS is calling on former employees and relatives of deceased beneficiaries to complete the process for the seniority bonus. Affected people should review the lists and follow the required steps to claim pending payments.
The Betania polyclinic will suspend emergency room service on Saturday morning, April 25, for a three-hour disinfection period. The temporary closure affects the urgent care area from 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m.
Health Minister Fernando Boyd Galindo explained Panama’s agreement to pay $15 million to Nuevo ION Panamá after a contract was ended unilaterally in 2014. The settlement resolves a long-running dispute linked to the contract termination.
Panama’s Cabinet approved a quota to import 90,000 quintals of green coffee after officials warned of a domestic shortage. The measure runs through September 30, 2026 and carries a 3% import duty.
Antonio Tercero González has been appointed director of Idaan as Panama confronts water and sanitation problems in Azuero. His selection also puts a spotlight on his close family ties to President José Raúl Mulino’s inner circle.
Janine Prado addressed her absence from a Government Commission session and spoke about the Comptroller’s retention of payments to staff in Vamos deputies’ offices. The dispute highlights tensions between legislative payrolls and state oversight in Panama.
Authorities in Chiriquí are investigating a graffiti message that warned of a possible shooting at a school, after a similar threat was also found at another campus. The incidents have raised concern about safety in educational centers.
A former music teacher in Panama received a 20-year prison sentence for corruption of minors and commercial sexual exploitation involving a 13-year-old student. He was also barred from working in any role involving minors.
Police went to Colegio de San Félix in Chiriquí after a message about a supposed shooting was found in a school bathroom. The response came as authorities verified the situation at the campus.
Residents of Atalaya, Veraguas, protested outside the mayor’s office over a drinking water shortage that has lasted more than three months. The demonstration highlighted mounting frustration over a basic service failure.
Former Colón mayor Alex Lee and Barrio Norte representative Javier Lynch were detained and will face a hearing over alleged aggravated embezzlement. The case highlights growing scrutiny of public officials in the province of Colón.
A reference to Panama appears in an opinion piece discussing Hezbollah’s global reach and the 1994 Buenos Aires bombing. The mention places the country within a wider debate over international security and transnational networks.
ASEP is investigating the electrical system event recorded on April 22, while ETESA’s National Dispatch Center analyzes what caused the disruption in Panama. The review centers on grid reliability and public oversight.
The Ministry of Environment and Sinaproc inspected Gorgona and Malibú beaches after recent strong waves caused damage along the coast. The review aims to assess conditions in two popular Pacific beach areas in Panamá Oeste.
An Africanized bee attack in Arraiján killed five dogs and left a 25-year-old man with multiple stings. Firefighters urged residents to avoid disturbing swarms and to keep a safe distance.
Panama has extradited Iranian national Reza Dindar to the United States, where he faces nine charges in an alleged sanctions-evasion scheme involving goods routed through China. Prosecutors say the case centers on exports tied to Iran and could carry a prison sentence of up to 20 years.
Panamanian authorities are investigating threatening graffiti found in school bathrooms in Chiriquí, including warnings of an alleged shooting. The schools remained calm under police monitoring, while prosecutors and educators activated safety protocols.
Copa Talento Colegial opened in Panama City with defensive draws in the boys’ matches and several decisive wins in girls’ Sub-16 play. The tournament continues this weekend with Sub-8 and Sub-12 making their debuts.