The latest, verified reporting on events across Panama and beyond. This section covers breaking stories, developments, and essential daily news.
Three children in Chiriquí underwent the province’s first-ever pediatric ductus arteriosus closure, a milestone in specialized heart care outside Panama City. The minimally invasive procedure was performed successfully at the Dr. Rafael Hernández L. hospital in David.
Panama City has opened Puerta Sur, a new digital parking system near El Chorrillo that provides access to the Casco Peatonal. The service uses the Parkea PTY app for registration, QR scanning and cashless payment.
Panama City announced May 1 holiday hours for markets, tourist sites and municipal offices. Some major markets will operate normally, while others and several city agencies will close.
A new education reform proposal in Panama seeks to give schools more autonomy while keeping the Ministry of Education involved in the process. Supporters say the goal is system-wide transformation through consensus.
Panama will host sessions of the Inter-American Court of Human Rights in May, with regional human rights issues set to be on the agenda. The event highlights the country’s diplomatic role in the Americas.
San Miguelito is advancing work with a contractor to open its municipal market, with the facility potentially operating in 2027. The project could become a key commercial hub for the district.
President José Raúl Mulino used discretionary funds to help pay for repairs to the Palace of the Garzas dining room. The spending adds to a broader renovation effort at the presidential residence and keeps attention on the use of the fund.
Panama has confirmed that Israeli President Isaac Herzog will visit in May after the trip was kept private at the request of the Panamanian side. The visit adds a notable diplomatic engagement to Panama’s spring agenda.
Panama’s Passport Authority suspended service nationwide from April 27 to 29 after a power interruption disrupted its systems. Applicants who finished their process by April 24 can still pick up passports at their assigned offices.
Panama has confirmed that Israeli President Isaac Herzog will visit in May, following diplomatic coordination between both countries. The planned trip highlights continued ties between Panama and Israel.
Misión Patitas held its 26th sterilization day in Colón, with the First Lady and President José Raúl Mulino attending the event. The campaign also paired veterinary care with free mobile health services for residents.
The Panama Canal is moving more cargo while avoiding major congestion, helping keep global shipping schedules steadier. The flow underscores the canal’s continuing role as a key economic and trade asset for Panama.
Panama is being urged to refocus on foreign direct investment as a driver of formal jobs and economic competitiveness. The argument ties weaker investment flows to rising unemployment and informality.
Panama’s Passport Authority suspended public service until Wednesday after an electrical failure and technology problems disrupted operations. The reopening will be announced through official channels.
Panama awarded a renewable energy tender at an average price of $23.86 per MWh, with wind power winning the largest share. The result underscores the country’s push toward competitive clean energy procurement.
Traffic through the Panama Canal is rising, and auction prices for transit slots are climbing as shipping lines compete for access. The trend highlights the canal’s enduring importance to global trade and Panama’s economy.
Shipping companies are rerouting vessels through the Panama Canal as tensions around the Strait of Hormuz disrupt global trade. Some are paying up to $4 million for passage as Panama benefits from the added traffic.
Panama is starting the day with partly cloudy skies and isolated showers near the Gulf of Panama, but rain and thunderstorms are expected to build by afternoon. Several regions could see stronger storms later in the day.
Shipping companies are looking more closely at the Panama Canal as geopolitical tensions raise the cost and risk of alternative routes. The canal’s role as a global trade shortcut gives Panama a strategic advantage when carriers seek reliability.
Panama City’s importance in global trade began long before the canal, with its geography turning it into a commercial crossroads for centuries. That legacy still shapes the capital’s role in Panama’s economy today.