In-depth reporting on government actions, political parties, and policy debates in Panama. We track elections, legislative changes, and the actors shaping public life.
Antonio Tercero González has been appointed director of IDAAN as the utility faces major water and sanitation challenges in Panama. His leadership begins with a 2026 budget of $358.8 million and intense public pressure to improve service.
A standoff with Iran poses a much bigger global economic risk than past U.S. pressure campaigns against Cuba or Venezuela because Tehran can threaten a vital energy shipping route. Any disruption could quickly raise fuel prices and inflate costs worldwide.
Former La Chorrera Mayor was detained during raids in an alleged municipal embezzlement case. Prosecutors are examining the handling of local government funds.
Israeli strikes in Lebanon killed a journalist and hit first responders, raising fresh alarm over the fragility of the ceasefire along the Israel-Lebanon border.
Panama is weighing the economic damage from the closure of First Quantum’s copper mine, which had been a major source of jobs, exports, and public revenue. The shutdown is putting pressure on businesses, workers, and government finances.
President José Raúl Mulino met with Panama’s export fishing sector to advance a technical plan aimed at boosting exports and improving resource management. The industry says the effort could strengthen jobs, investment and sustainability.
CADE 2026 is focusing on Panama’s possible path toward OECD membership, with debates centered on transparency, fiscal sustainability, and public policy quality. The discussion highlights the reforms Panama may need to strengthen its international standing.
Trump has ordered U.S. forces to use deadly force against Iranian small boats in the Strait of Hormuz, escalating a dangerous standoff over a critical global shipping lane. The move comes after the U.S. seized another tanker linked to Iranian oil smuggling.
Donald Trump’s remarks have renewed attention on the Panama Canal, spotlighting its role as a global trade route and a symbol of Panamanian sovereignty. The debate highlights how politically sensitive the canal remains for Panama.
Authorities searched the home of former La Chorrera mayor Tomás Velásquez in an anti-corruption probe over the alleged irregular use of decentralization funds. The case highlights ongoing scrutiny of municipal spending in Panama.
Former La Chorrera mayor Tomás Velásquez has been detained in an investigation into alleged peculation, a case that puts local government accountability in focus. The move adds fresh attention to anti-corruption efforts in Panama.
A Panama labor lawyer says motorcycle couriers who believe they are misclassified may be able to take their case to court and present evidence. The comments highlight the tension between commercial contracts and labor protections in delivery work.
Colón Mayor Diógenes Galván says he is waiting for justice in alleged embezzlement cases tied to the previous administration. He also renewed his call for more funding for the district.
Jorge Bloise will present a new education reform proposal to Panama’s National Assembly, centered on curriculum, evaluation, decentralization and the teaching career. The initiative comes as the country faces persistent learning gaps and pressure to improve public education.
Panama condemned Iran’s seizure of a Panama-flagged ship in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global shipping route. The incident underscores Panama’s outsized role in international maritime trade.
Iran’s seizure of ships and blockade move in the Strait of Hormuz has raised alarms over global shipping, energy prices and wider regional escalation. The standoff could ripple into trade and fuel costs reaching Panama and Latin America.
Panama continues to play an important role in regional migration, making refugee protection and asylum procedures vital for people seeking safety. Understanding the legal process can be decisive for those hoping to remain in the country legally.
Panama’s 2026 sports election cycle is facing delays as federations challenge deadlines and push for more time to regularize their structures. Pandeportes has extended the deadline to May 31 while legal and administrative tensions continue.
Israeli forces are demolishing villages in southern Lebanon behind the yellow line, heightening fears that the fragile border calm could collapse. The moves deepen the humanitarian toll on a region already scarred by cross-border fighting.
Panama condemned Iran’s seizure of a Panamanian-flagged vessel in the Strait of Hormuz, calling it an illegal act that threatens maritime security. The move comes amid heightened tensions in a key global shipping route.