In-depth reporting on government actions, political parties, and policy debates in Panama. We track elections, legislative changes, and the actors shaping public life.
Panama’s Electoral Court has proposed eliminating the National Commission on Electoral Reforms and replacing the mechanism used to discuss and build consensus on future changes to the Electoral Code, drawing reactions from political actors.
Panama’s Ministry of Government announced a digital platform to manage purchases and deliveries of hygiene products, cleaning supplies, and food for people deprived of liberty, aiming to bring transparency and order to the process.
Panama’s Supreme Court is weighing unconstitutionality challenges to the agreement creating Panama City’s Municipal Police, with the Attorney General warning it could form a parallel police force. A separate annulment suit by the Ministry of Security is also underway.
A La Prensa column argues the PRD is in its death throes after Gaby Carrizo’s historic 2024 defeat, with leader Benicio Robinson refusing to resign and a possible split looming if Martín Torrijos founds his own party.
Panama’s government, led by Minister Chapman, is evaluating additional support measures for retirees, with a follow-up meeting tentatively set for September 15 at the Presidency. The announcement follows an initial dialogue between officials and retiree representatives.
Panama’s National Assembly is debating two rival electricity reform bills that would modernize a nearly 30-year-old regulatory framework, boosting consumer protections, penalties for distributors, and market opening ahead of the 2028 concession expirations.
Panama’s National Police have confirmed the use of undercover agents while denying infiltration of social groups, after unions and human rights organizations filed a formal complaint alleging a surveillance network. The case has now reached the Attorney General’s Office and UN Special Rapporteurs.
Panama’s National Assembly unanimously approved a bill granting free five-year electronic passports to students who represent the country in international sporting, cultural, scientific, and academic events. The measure aims to remove cost barriers that have kept young Panamanians from competing abroad.
Panama’s Executive branch and the Vamos coalition have each presented draft laws to radically reform the electricity market ahead of the 2028 distribution concession expiry, proposing new ASEP intervention powers, competitive sale of distributor shares, consumer protections, and market opening to independent sellers.
San Miguelito would lose a National Assembly seat under Bill 700, which reconfigures Panama’s electoral circuits. Local deputies argue the new rules should also apply to circuits with fewer inhabitants.
The Panama Canal Board of Directors has appointed 28-year canal veteran Miguel Antonio Lorenzo Fábrega as Deputy Administrator, placing a senior engineering leader alongside Administrator Ilya Espino de Marotta. He replaces acting deputy Rubén Pérez Pinzón.
Retiree leader Guillermo Cortés says the climate is positive at the dialogue table with government and private sector representatives as parties work to reach consensus on Law 226 before the President’s 30-day constitutional deadline to sanction or veto the legislation.
Panama’s Health Ministry rejects favoritism allegations in its suspended $80 million tender to clean nine public hospitals, as questions mount over direct contracts and shifting requirements. The five-year contract would extend beyond the current presidential term.
Panama’s Electoral Tribunal and the National Commission of Electoral Reforms have advanced a package of electoral reforms to the National Assembly, preserving most agreed changes while introducing adjustments to independent candidacies. The proposal now awaits legislative debate.
Deputy Brenes has criticized Panama’s circuit reconfiguration, arguing the new distribution of legislative seats fails to uniformly apply the principle of electoral proportionality.
President José Raúl Mulino convened retirees, business leaders and ministers at the Presidency to discuss Law 226, which expands discounts for seniors but faces a possible veto over funding concerns. The bill passed the National Assembly with 47 votes and now awaits sanction or veto.
Arraiján Mayor Stefany Peñalba defended her management of the fast-growing West Panama district, saying that serving the community is her administration’s true vocation.
President José Raúl Mulino met with retirees and business leaders to negotiate a viable formula for his proposed discounts law, balancing senior benefits against private sector concerns.
Panamanian lawyers and former union leaders warn that proposals to automatically remove retirees from public jobs would be unconstitutional, citing Supreme Court precedent and urging merit-based renewal instead of age-based exclusion.
Panama’s Government Commission approved in first debate a proposal to reconfigure the country’s electoral circuits, with five deputies in favor, three against, and one abstaining.
