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 drawn support from the U.S., Israel and Paraguay after allegations over vessel detention in China, which Beijing denies. The dispute highlights the canal’s strategic weight in global trade and diplomacy.
Marco Rubio accused China of harassing Panama-flagged ships, drawing Panama into another dispute tied to global shipping and maritime security. The allegation highlights the country’s strategic role in international trade through its flag registry and the Panama Canal.
Panama’s National Police and the Public Ministry launched Operation Nomad in Chiriquí to target microtrafficking under the Firmness 2026 Plan. The effort reflects ongoing intelligence-led enforcement in one of the country’s key western provinces.
Russian strikes killed at least eight people across Ukraine as Kyiv signaled it could consider a temporary Easter truce. The attacks came amid warnings that Russia is shifting tactics to maximize civilian harm.
Panama-flagged ships accounted for most March detentions in Chinese ports, according to the Tokyo MOU, marking a sharp jump from January and February. The surge has raised concerns about possible commercial and political pressure on Panama’s shipping sector.
Panamanian security officials toured the USS Nimitz during Southern Seas 2026, joining Salvadoran and Guatemalan counterparts in a regional naval exercise. The visit highlighted Panama’s role in maritime security cooperation across the eastern Pacific.
Ten years after the Panama Papers leak, Panama remains central to global debates over offshore finance, transparency, and financial reform. The scandal reshaped how governments and regulators view secrecy in international business.
Panama is facing renewed attention over China’s growing assertiveness, highlighting the country’s strategic role around the Panama Canal and in regional geopolitics. The issue underscores the balance between foreign investment, sovereignty, and global influence.
China’s detention doctrine is drawing attention to Panama’s strategic importance as a canal nation caught between major powers. The issue highlights how foreign pressure can affect sovereignty, trade, and diplomacy.
Marco Rubio condemned China over the detention of Panama-flagged vessels, saying the United States stands with Panama against retaliatory actions. The dispute highlights Panama’s strategic role in global shipping and the importance of its maritime registry.
The National Assembly is facing pressure to move ahead with reforms to its internal regulations before the ordinary session ends on April 30. The debate has stalled amid political disagreements, despite public demand for change.
Panama’s Supreme Court has rejected former Vice President José Gabriel Carrizo’s claim to Parlacen immunity, allowing the unjust enrichment case against him to proceed. The ruling marks another setback for Carrizo, who was detained in January 2026 on corruption allegations.
Marco Rubio accused China of bullying Panama by detaining ships, spotlighting the country’s strategic role in global trade and U.S.-China tensions. The dispute highlights how closely Panama’s maritime interests are tied to international politics.
Marco Rubio accused China of bullying Panama by detaining ships, putting renewed attention on the canal’s strategic role in global trade. The remarks underscore the country’s place in the wider U.S.-China rivalry.
Trump said the U.S. can reopen the Strait of Hormuz as the war with Iran deepens, raising new concerns about oil flows and global markets. The comments highlight the high stakes of a conflict centered on one of the world’s most important energy chokepoints.
China rejected U.S. criticism after Marco Rubio voiced support for Panama over detained Panamanian-flagged ships in Chinese ports. The dispute highlights Panama’s outsized role in global shipping and its exposure to foreign port tensions.
China has rejected U.S. accusations tied to the Panama Canal, saying it will firmly defend its rights. The dispute highlights the canal’s strategic importance and Panama’s central role in it.
China has rejected U.S. allegations involving Panama-flagged ships, saying the claims are groundless. The dispute underscores how closely Panama’s flag registry and canal remain tied to global trade and geopolitics.
Marco Rubio said China’s actions against Panama-flagged vessels threaten Panama and the international trading system. The comments came as Panama’s Supreme Court struck down a concession for two ports near the Panama Canal.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio criticized China over the detention of Panama-flagged ships, saying the move could undermine supply chains. The issue highlights Panama’s outsized role in global shipping and the sensitivity of maritime disputes.