In-depth reporting on government actions, political parties, and policy debates in Panama. We track elections, legislative changes, and the actors shaping public life.
The Sociedad Bolivariana de Panamá held an ordinary session on April 23 ahead of the Bicentennial of the Congress of Panama. The historic anniversary highlights Panama’s long association with Bolívar’s vision of regional unity.
The European Union has approved a 90 billion euro loan for Ukraine and imposed fresh sanctions on Russia, reinforcing support for Kyiv as the war continues. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy wants the first payment released by May or June.
Pope Leo condemned the harsh treatment of migrants and refugees, warning that vulnerable people are often treated with less dignity than animals. The remarks renew global pressure on governments, including in the Americas, to balance border control with human rights.
Trump said he is the one keeping the Strait of Hormuz closed, not Iran, in a brief remark involving one of the world’s key oil chokepoints. The comment underscores how tensions around the narrow waterway can quickly affect global trade and energy prices.
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.
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.
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.
MOCA is challenging the Panamanian government over the handling of mining material, saying the move lacked legal support and a bidding process. The Ministry of Commerce says the action was a controlled measure to remove hazardous conditions at the mine.
Four sugar mills have expressed interest in producing ethanol in Panama as lawmakers debate a bill that would mandate ethanol-gasoline blending. The proposal could reshape both the fuel market and the role of the sugar industry.
Balbina Herrera appeared in Colón to follow the embezzlement case involving former mayor Alex Lee and other local officials. She urged that the investigation continue without becoming a social media spectacle.
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.
Former La Chorrera mayor Tomás Velásquez was arrested in an Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office operation over alleged embezzlement tied to the municipality. Another former official was also detained as the investigation continues.
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.
Dissent is growing inside the U.S. military as the war against Iran deepens, raising questions about escalation and the conflict’s wider political cost. The fallout could also ripple through global energy and trade routes that matter to Panama and Latin America.
The European Union has approved a $106 billion loan package for Ukraine after Hungary withdrew its veto, unlocking crucial support for Kyiv’s wartime economy. The funding is aimed at helping Ukraine stay financially afloat as Russia’s invasion continues.
A judge in Colón charged Barrio Norte representative Javier Lynch and treasurer Orlando Salazar with embezzlement over alleged irregularities in up to $6 million in decentralization funds. Prosecutors will seek provisional detention as the case moves to the next stage.
Panama condemned Iran’s seizure of the Panamanian-flagged MSC Francesca in the Strait of Hormuz, calling it a violation of international law and a threat to maritime security. The incident comes as shipping through the waterway cautiously resumes under a temporary truce.
Labor ministers from Central America and the Caribbean met in Panama to discuss shared workforce challenges and strengthen regional cooperation. The talks focused on protecting workers’ rights amid economic and social pressures.