The latest, verified reporting on events across Panama and beyond. This section covers breaking stories, developments, and essential daily news.
Marco Rubio accused China of bullying Panama-flagged ships amid a detention dispute tied to the Panama Canal. The case puts Panama’s global shipping role and flag registry under international scrutiny.
Panama’s Ministry of Economy and Finance said first-half April payments for public servants will begin on Monday, April 13. The schedule is an important date for thousands of government workers.
Panama’s National Assembly is set to vote on the next Ombudsman after a split over whether to consider all 33 candidates or a shortlist of seven. Current Ombudsman Eduardo Leblanc withdrew his re-election bid just before the process began.
BDA disbursed B/.33.5 million in 2025 to support producers in Panama as it moves toward becoming the Instituto de Fomento Agropecuario. The financing underscores the bank’s role in agricultural development.
Maersk says it is not responsible for the claims filed by Panama Ports Company as the dispute over the Balboa and Cristóbal terminals moves to arbitration. The case stems from Panama’s Supreme Court ruling that voided PPC’s concession and triggered a new operating arrangement.
Eduardo Leblanc has withdrawn his bid for re-election as Panama’s ombudsman, saying the decision was meant to protect the independence and legitimacy of the office. The move shifts attention to the selection of the country’s next Defensor del Pueblo.
Panama’s Ministry of Public Works is preparing a tender for major repairs on the Centenario Bridge and the Bridge of the Americas. The bidding is expected this year, with work projected to begin next year.
The Fourth Bridge over the Panama Canal has reached 35% overall completion, with foundation work already 75% finished. The project is a major infrastructure effort aimed at improving connectivity and easing traffic in the capital area.
Dead fish in the Curunducito River have drawn attention to sewage contamination and the growing pressure on Panama’s urban waterways. The incident highlights the environmental and public health risks tied to polluted rivers.
Panama’s Metro system is now carrying about 420,000 passengers a day after MiBus adjusted service in response to higher fuel costs. The shift shows how fuel prices continue to reshape commuting patterns in the capital.
IMA’s village store in La Villa de Los Santos is offering a variety of products for residents and nearby shoppers in Los Santos province. The outlet adds another local option for everyday household purchases.
Panama closed the Bridge of the Americas after a truck explosion killed one person and prompted a structural inspection. The shutdown disrupted a vital crossing over the Panama Canal linking Panama City with the west of the country.
Panama City canceled the bidding process for the $8 million renewal of Calle 50, saying the municipality must reprogram its investment budget. The project aimed to improve mobility, accessibility and public space along one of the capital’s busiest corridors.
Panama’s Health Ministry has ordered the immediate withdrawal of perfumes containing a prohibited substance and required distributors to document the total removal within 30 days.
Panama has launched a free nationwide flu vaccination campaign using a trivalent vaccine that targets the influenza strains currently circulating in the country. The effort is led by the Ministry of Health and the Social Security Fund.
U.S. Army engineers will inspect Panama’s Bridge of the Americas after part of the structure was affected by a fire near La Boca. The technical review is meant to assess safety, including for heavy cargo vehicles and large buses.
IMA’s Agroferias begin Thursday at 8:00 a.m., offering basic food basket products at lower prices. The fairs continue to serve as a budget-friendly option for Panama households.
Panama’s Ministry of Public Works will receive a detailed structural report on the Bridge of the Americas from US Army engineers next Monday. The review highlights the bridge’s importance as a critical link across the entrance to the Panama Canal.
San Miguelito Mayor Irma Hernández questioned why municipalities receive only 80 million balboas from the 200 million collected through IBI. Her comments renew scrutiny of how property-tax revenue is distributed in Panama.
A woman was arrested in La Chorrera during Operation Falsum over an alleged loan fraud scheme that used forged employment and Social Security documents. Three other people have also been charged in the case.