In-depth reporting on government actions, political parties, and policy debates in Panama. We track elections, legislative changes, and the actors shaping public life.
President José Raúl Mulino urged Panama’s Public Ministry and Comptroller General’s Office to resolve their differences after speaking with both leaders. He also addressed the upcoming Electoral Tribunal appointment and vetoes tied to unfunded legislation.
Panama’s National Assembly is preparing to vote on a new magistrate for the Electoral Tribunal after finalizing the official candidate list. The appointment is significant because the tribunal plays a key role in overseeing the country’s elections.
A police officer killed during an operation in El Chorrillo was honored in Herrera, where Public Security Minister Frank Ábrego stressed the sacrifice tied to police work. The ceremony highlighted the risks faced by Panama’s security forces.
President José Raúl Mulino said the Executive Branch is not interfering in National Assembly appointments, including the new Ombudsman and a magistrate of the Electoral Tribunal. He framed the decisions as the legislature’s responsibility and stressed the need for institutional cooperation.
Panama has hired four Cuban lawyers to defend ten nationals detained in Havana since Feb. 28 over alleged anti-government graffiti. The case has prompted embassy visits, ministerial talks and a request for family visits.
Jaime Barroso was elected principal magistrate of Panama’s Electoral Tribunal with 52 votes, while Alfredo Juncá received 18. Gilberto Estrada was also chosen as substitute magistrate.
Three Vamos deputies broke with their caucus and voted for Jaime Barroso in Panama’s Electoral Tribunal race, while the rest backed Alfredo Juncá’s reelection. The split highlights internal differences inside the opposition bloc during a key institutional vote.
The National Assembly has appointed Jaime Barroso as Panama’s new Electoral Tribunal magistrate for a 10-year term. The post carries a salary of $14,000 and a central role in the country’s election system.
Panama’s Supreme Court declared illegal a lottery contract addendum that authorized Lotto and Pega 3. The ruling raises new questions about the legal basis for public lottery agreements.
Panama City Hall delivered a 2026 Isuzu compact truck to the San Martín community board to support cleanup, hauling, and maintenance work. The vehicle was bought with IBI funds for B/.19,986.51.
Panama City is being promoted as a destination for wealthy international residents, with Mayor Mayer Mizrachi highlighting the country’s territorial tax system and crypto-friendly image. The message positions the capital as an alternative to high-tax cities seeking to capture more from affluent property owners.
President José Raúl Mulino addressed tensions between Panama’s Comptroller General and Public Ministry, while also discussing the transport fuel subsidy and infrastructure priorities. He also raised the possibility of extraordinary legislative sessions.
President José Raúl Mulino is facing criticism for describing the conflict between Comptroller Anel Flores and Prosecutor Luis Gómez Rudy as a personal dispute. Journalists Mónica Palm and Sabrina Bacal say the issue has deeper institutional implications.
Panama will return B/.14.6 million to retired teachers from the 1972 and 1973 cohorts under Law 231. The measure targets educators eligible to receive accumulated savings tied to their retirement.
Panama’s Supreme Court has voided the latest extension of the Lotto and Pega 3 concession, ruling that the addendum was illegal. The decision intensifies scrutiny of a private lottery deal that has operated for years under successive changes.
Panama began a nationwide fuel subsidy on April 15 for selective and collective transport. The measure is aimed at easing operating costs and supporting public mobility.
Panama and the Hague Academy of International Law are promoting a conference and specialized courses on the Canal Neutrality Treaty. The initiative highlights the treaty’s enduring importance to Panama’s sovereignty and the canal’s global role.
Panama’s National Assembly is reviewing candidates for Electoral Tribunal magistrate posts, including three current legislative employees whose eligibility is being questioned under the Constitution. The process has reignited debate over whether resignation before appointment is enough to satisfy the rule.
Panama City Hall and the Las Mañanitas local board built 350 meters of sidewalks and cleaned up neglected public areas along the district’s main road. The project is part of a broader push to recover urban spaces and improve neighborhood safety.
Support is growing for reopening Cobre Panamá, but any restart is being tied to stronger transparency and clearer economic benefits for Panama. The debate underscores the mine’s importance to jobs and investment, as well as long-running concerns over oversight and public trust.