In-depth reporting on government actions, political parties, and policy debates in Panama. We track elections, legislative changes, and the actors shaping public life.
SENNIAF said one adolescent has already been located after an escape from a private shelter in Panama. The case highlights ongoing concerns about child protection and shelter security.
Panama’s public works minister defended the Via España expansion before lawmakers, while questions remained over environmental approval, business impacts, and the project’s final authorization. The hearing highlighted a contract worth more than $107 million that still awaits Comptroller endorsement.
Panama’s ATTT is defending the 2026 license plate design after criticism over the slogan “Con paso firme.” The agency says the plates will be delivered through the normal registration process for new vehicles.
Construction firms linked to the Blue Apple bribery case continue to win millions in Panama state contracts, including emergency awards in public works. The pattern has renewed scrutiny of procurement oversight and direct contracting.
Panama will host a key session of the OAS Inter-American Committee against Terrorism, placing the country at the center of a regional security meeting. The gathering underscores cooperation and information sharing across the Americas.
Russian strikes killed four people in Ukraine overnight, while Ukrainian drones hit oil infrastructure in Russia. Zelenskyy said 11 people were hospitalized, including a pregnant woman and two children.
Israel’s strike on a major Iranian petrochemical facility has escalated tensions and cast doubt on a ceasefire effort now being floated by mediators. The attack raises the risk of wider disruption to energy markets and regional stability.
Panama plans to finalize a resolution authorizing First Quantum Minerals to remove ore from the closed Cobre Panamá mine. The move could affect the country’s mining policy, economy, and ongoing dispute over the site.
Pakistan has предложed a ceasefire plan aimed at preventing further escalation between the US and Iran as a Trump deadline over the Strait of Hormuz nears. The move could ease pressure on global energy and shipping markets if talks gain traction.
Panama City Hall joined teachers, municipal police and local leaders in a painting and cleanup day at Escuela Santos Jorge in Chilibre. The effort aimed to improve the school environment for nearly 2,000 students.
Panama is weighing approval for exports of copper ore already stockpiled at the Cobre Panamá mine, a move that could come as early as Tuesday. The decision would affect the long-stalled First Quantum Minerals project without restarting full mining operations.
More than one million people have been displaced across Lebanon as Israel escalates its campaign with air raids and a ground invasion. Families are fleeing to mountain areas as the humanitarian crisis deepens.
China dismissed U.S. allegations over Panama Canal traffic, calling the claims groundless. The dispute highlights the canal’s strategic importance and Panama’s role in global trade.
Israel estimates Iran still has more than 1,000 missiles capable of reaching its territory, highlighting the risk of a prolonged regional conflict. Hezbollah’s arsenal also remains substantial, adding to fears of wider escalation.
Companies that admitted paying bribes in the Blue Apple case continue to win multimillion-dollar contracts in Panama, especially from the Ministry of Public Works. The pattern has intensified debate over procurement rules and the lack of automatic debarment for firms linked to corruption.
A political commentary in Panama criticized the National Assembly, a delayed vehicle plate rollout, a beach renaming proposal and a Holy Week message by Ricardo Martinelli. It framed all four episodes as examples of symbolism and political memory shaping public debate.
Companies linked to the Blue Apple scandal and political figures tied to parallel decentralization continue to operate and rise in Panama despite corruption allegations. The cases highlight how impunity can outlast public outrage and weaken trust in institutions.
Panama’s National Assembly is heading into a dispute over whether the ombudsman shortlist should include one name or all 35 applicants. The ruling party backs Ángela Russo, while other lawmakers are resisting any preselection.
Banco General’s Fundación Sus Buenos Vecinos has opened its 2026 scholarship call for high-achieving sixth-graders in Panama. The program has already supported hundreds of students, including Félix Rodríguez, now a data scientist at the bank.
Panama is preparing to authorize the processing of stockpiled ore at First Quantum’s shuttered Cobre Panamá mine. The move would manage material already on site without fully reopening the operation.