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 has become the first Latin American country to regulate paid internships, but President José Raúl Mulino’s veto of a vocational guidance bill has exposed a gap in how young people are steered toward careers. The debate now centers on whether schools, universities, and the state will take shared responsibility for that transition.
Panama is seeking to ease tensions with China after a port-related dispute led to increased inspections of Panamanian-flagged vessels. The issue puts a spotlight on the country’s trade ties and its role as a maritime hub.
Panama has allowed First Quantum Minerals to move forward with ore exports as the company expands copper plans in Argentina. The decision comes at a politically sensitive moment for the country’s mining sector.
The US and Iran have entered a two-week ceasefire, but the pause lacks a public framework and looks more tactical than transformative. The move may briefly ease tensions without resolving the deeper dispute.
Xi Jinping and Taiwan opposition leader Cheng Li-wun met in Beijing in the first party-leader talks in nine years, with both sides emphasizing peace across the strait. The meeting comes amid persistent cross-strait tension and global concern over stability in Asia.
Israel has authorized direct talks with Lebanon focused on Hezbollah’s disarmament and possible bilateral ties, a rare diplomatic opening amid regional turmoil. The move comes as violence threatens wider Middle East ceasefire efforts.
Russia has protested a proposed Japanese investment in a Ukrainian drone maker, signaling concern over deeper Tokyo-Kyiv defence cooperation and possible export-policy changes.
Shipping through the Strait of Hormuz has stalled as the US and Iran accuse each other of violating a ceasefire. The disruption raises concerns for global energy markets and trade routes.
“¡Qué wencha!” has become a sharp expression of Panamanian frustration over politics, public spending, mining, and state messaging. The phrase reflects broader demands for accountability and transparency.
The United States and Iran are preparing for their first high-level face-to-face talks since the war in the Middle East, with Pakistan hosting the negotiations in Islamabad. The meeting could shape regional security and global trade stability.
Reservists from the National Police and firefighters blocked access to Panama’s National Assembly to demand payment of seniority bonuses and other benefits. The protest put labor and compensation claims before lawmakers in the capital.
Parents and students protested at Escuela Los Olivos in Los Santos to demand a teacher, a cook, and a manual worker. The demonstration highlights concerns over staffing at the public school.
A rescheduled Xi-Trump summit in May is reviving debate over whether US-China rivalry can be managed without deeper global instability. The talks could influence trade, security and supply chains with ripple effects reaching Panama and Latin America.
Finance Minister Felipe Chapman said Panama is not creating a new tax on new homes, but ending a housing tax exemption that conflicts with updated interest benefits. The clarification is important for buyers and developers monitoring housing costs.
Panama’s Public Ministry is asking for help locating Rodolfo Díaz in connection with alleged corruption offenses. The Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office has provided a contact number for anyone with information.
Bridge construction is advancing in the Ngäbe Buglé comarca as residents push for deeper investment in roads, schools and long-term public works. The area still has widespread infrastructure gaps, including schools in aging structures built decades ago.
Venezuela’s legislature has approved a mining bill intended to reassure foreign investors with clearer mineral rights rules and independent arbitration. The move is part of a broader push to revive capital inflows in a sector long hampered by political risk.
CK Hutchison has opened arbitration in London against Maersk in a dispute involving Panama Canal ports. The case adds to wider tensions over control of strategic shipping assets in Panama.
Panama’s Comptroller General warned the public to verify any document requesting sensitive data, amid concern over false requests aimed at politicians and business leaders.
Panama’s economy grew 4.4% in 2025, up from 2.7% in 2024, but lawmakers are still pressing the government over unemployment concerns.