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 child poverty debate is intensifying as a former Social Development Minister urges urgent action, especially for children from birth to age six. The warning highlights early childhood as the most critical stage for long-term development.
Panama is celebrating 150 years of its Civil Registry, an institution that gives legal identity, protects civil rights and supports public administration. The anniversary underscores the registry’s role in everyday life, from birth registration to nationality and inheritance matters.
Deadly Israeli strikes in Lebanon have fueled anger and raised fresh doubts about diplomacy aimed at calming the border crisis with Hezbollah. The attacks have intensified Lebanon’s internal divisions and heightened fears of a wider regional escalation.
Sudan’s war has displaced more than nine million people and pushed nearly 29 million into acute hunger, worsening one of the world’s gravest humanitarian crises. The conflict is also fueling regional instability and a growing refugee burden.
Trump has signaled that a second round of talks with Iran could happen soon, hinting at possible diplomacy amid an unresolved conflict. The development could affect Middle East stability and global markets.
Panama and Costa Rica are strengthening their border security alliance to improve coordination along their shared frontier. The move reflects Panama’s ongoing focus on migration control, public safety, and regional cooperation.
Xi Jinping met Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Beijing as China and Russia discussed the war in Iran and broader global tensions. The talks highlighted the growing strategic value both governments place on their partnership.
Iran is demanding compensation for what it says are $270 billion in war losses from U.S. and Israeli attacks, complicating upcoming talks with Washington. The claim raises the stakes in already fragile diplomacy.
China is reportedly pushing Maersk and MSC to leave Panama, putting fresh attention on the country’s strategic role in global shipping. The move underscores how the Panama Canal remains central to trade and geopolitics.
Rafael Lopez Aliaga is demanding that Peru’s election be declared void, alleging fraud without presenting evidence. The move raises the risk of a wider post-election dispute in a country already marked by deep political instability.
The US military says a major blockade of Iranian ports has halted trade, with more than 10,000 personnel, warships, and aircraft involved. The move could ripple through global shipping and energy markets, with possible knock-on effects for Panama and Latin America.
Panama’s anti-corruption system is under pressure after Comptroller General Anel Flores interrupted a Public Ministry proceeding tied to the case against former Vice President José Gabriel Carrizo. The clash has renewed questions about institutional independence and political backing at the top of government.
Panama’s political debate intensified as scrutiny grew around the Electoral Tribunal, the Comptroller’s Office and the CSS leadership. The disputes add pressure to institutions central to elections, audits and public trust.
President Mulino’s backing of Comptroller General Anel Flores comes as Flores faces criticism for interrupting an anti-corruption proceeding tied to the Carrizo case. The clash is fueling concern over institutional limits and judicial independence in Panama.
Panama is preparing a $273 million laptop purchase for students, renewing debate over whether past technology programs improved learning. A new study says earlier mass device drives brought little measurable impact and lacked public evaluation.
Anel Flores is under fire after interrupting a prosecutor’s interview with comptroller auditors in the Carrizo case, intensifying concerns over institutional overreach. The dispute adds to a string of clashes involving the comptroller and Panama’s political branches.
Panama borrowers are unlikely to see interest rates fall soon, as Middle East tensions lift fuel prices and weaken the odds of further U.S. rate cuts. Bankers also are pressing lawmakers to reject a proposal to cap lending rates.
PedidosYa riders in Panama have halted service to protest a pay change they say cuts earnings by up to 40%. The labor minister has questioned the legality of the protest and stressed labor rules on national hiring.
Panama’s Education Ministry defended a $273 million laptop purchase as critics questioned whether past technology programs improved learning. The ministry says new delivery, training and classroom strategies will prevent old mistakes from repeating.
Panama’s Legislative Assembly faces a high-stakes vote to name a new Electoral Tribunal magistrate, with democratic trust and institutional independence on the line. The appointment underscores growing concern over transparency, political influence and the credibility of elections.