In-depth reporting on government actions, political parties, and policy debates in Panama. We track elections, legislative changes, and the actors shaping public life.
Pope Leo XIV has published his first encyclical, calling for strict regulation of artificial intelligence and warning against lethal autonomous systems. The document adds moral pressure to a fast-moving global debate that also affects Panama’s digital and business sectors.
Rising U.S.-Iran tensions are keeping the Strait of Hormuz in focus, where any disruption could trigger a global energy shock. Latin America and Panama would feel the fallout through higher fuel, shipping, and import costs.
Pope Leo XIV used his first encyclical to warn that artificial intelligence could concentrate power in the hands of major tech actors. His message echoes wider concerns about data control, access and the risks of digital dependence.
Hope for a quick Iran deal has faded after Trump said the U.S. is not in a rush to sign, while Iranian media reported major disagreements remain. The stalemate keeps regional tensions and market uncertainty elevated.
Panama’s Public Ministry is tracing properties and corporate links tied to Unachi rector Etelvina Medianero de Bonagas and 12 relatives. The probe adds new pressure to an already sensitive case involving public funds, university management and possible conflicts of interest.
Panama’s trade dispute with Costa Rica has grown into a diplomatic flashpoint, even though the products involved account for a tiny share of both economies. The clash also highlights the bigger opportunity for deeper regional integration between two of Central America’s most stable markets.
Panama’s Public Works Ministry will retender the Playa Paunch–Boca del Drago coastal road in Bocas del Toro after ending its contract with Constructora Santa Fe. A tribunal upheld the contract termination but lifted the company ban and blocked bond execution.
Archbishop José Domingo Ulloa praised the Canal’s next administrator as a merit-based choice, turning the appointment into a broader call for cleaner public hiring in Panama. The debate also comes amid shifting alliances in the National Assembly and high-level regional visits.
China is backing Cuba with food aid, energy support and debt flexibility, but it is avoiding a large-scale rescue that could deepen tensions with the United States. The island’s crisis shows how Beijing balances ideology with strategic caution in Latin America.
China and Taiwan’s coast guards clashed in a tense patrol confrontation near Pratas Island, a strategically important Taiwan-controlled territory in the South China Sea. The incident adds to a growing pattern of maritime pressure in one of the world’s most sensitive waterways.
The United States has accused Hezbollah’s leadership of trying to drag Lebanon into chaos, sharpening pressure on the armed group amid long-running instability. The warning highlights how regional tensions could ripple through diplomacy, security, and global markets.
US officials are signaling that any deal with Iran must be strict and verifiable, even as mediation efforts continue. The talks remain important for Middle East stability and global markets.
Trump’s emerging plan to end the Iran war is facing resistance from hard-line Republicans who want a tougher stance on Tehran. The split highlights the political and strategic stakes of any deal.
Unachi students are demanding the resignation of Rector Etelvina Medianero de Bonagas, accusing the administration of mismanagement, nepotism and neglect. The clash adds pressure on a public university already under scrutiny for financial and institutional instability.
President Daniel Noboa used his State of the Union address to promise a harder crackdown on organized crime and to advance extradition of convicted criminals. The move reflects Ecuador’s worsening security crisis and growing regional concern over trafficking networks.
Cuba has thanked China for a rice shipment as shortages of food and fuel worsen on the island. The aid highlights Havana’s growing dependence on outside support amid mounting economic and humanitarian pressure.
Panama City Hall has extended its deadline to release records on adviser contracts, advertising spending, and suspended public works. The case is drawing attention because it touches on transparency, budget priorities, and the stalled Calle 50 renewal project.
Iran and the United States are edging toward a deal centered on the Strait of Hormuz, with Pakistan mediating and Europe welcoming progress. The main unresolved issue remains whether any agreement will include binding limits on Iran’s nuclear program.
Bolivia is facing mounting protests from campesinos, miners, teachers and transport workers as civic and religious leaders urge talks. The unrest is testing President Rodrigo Paz six months into his term.
Panama is taking a new diplomatic approach as U.S.-China tensions put the Panama Canal back at the center of global politics. The move highlights the country’s effort to protect sovereignty while preserving the canal’s economic value.