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 Defensoría del Pueblo is being pushed toward a merit-based selection process that prioritizes legal expertise, human rights experience and independence. The debate centers on making the office a stronger democratic check on public power.
Cuba has begun talks with the United States as blackouts, shortages and protests intensify across the island. The move reflects a government under pressure that is seeking relief without giving up its political system.
The National Assembly will accept nominations from April 6 to April 10 to choose a new principal magistrate of the Electoral Tribunal, replacing Alfredo Juncá in December 2026. Applicants must submit documents in person at the Assembly’s General Secretariat.
Kharg Island is central to Iran’s oil exports, making any threat to seize it a major escalation with potential consequences for global energy markets. The risk is especially serious because it could disrupt shipping and raise prices worldwide.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth declined to rule out sending U.S. ground troops into Iran while confirming that talks to end the conflict are still ongoing. The remarks deepen uncertainty as Washington balances diplomacy with the threat of military escalation.
The US Supreme Court has struck down Colorado’s ban on conversion therapy for LGBTQ+ minors, saying the law raises First Amendment concerns. The ruling could threaten similar restrictions in about two dozen other states.
An investigation into Hong Kong’s deadly Tai Po housing estate fire has revealed that a property management worker did not know fire alarms had been deactivated during water tank repairs. The hearing is raising fresh questions about maintenance oversight and building safety.
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled 8-1 against Colorado’s ban on conversion therapy for LGBTQ minors, saying the law violated free speech protections. The decision could affect similar laws in other states and feed broader debates over LGBTQ rights and counseling rules.
Joël Soudron, described as a drug trafficking fugitive, was arrested in Panama City after years on the run. Panamanian authorities and French sources confirmed the detention.
Panama welcomed the USS Nimitz in Panama Bay, with officials framing the rare visit as a sign of strong bilateral ties and shared security goals. The U.S. said the deployment supports cooperation on disaster response, anti-drug efforts and regional stability.
The U.N. Security Council has called an emergency session after three peacekeepers were killed in southern Lebanon. The incident has raised urgent questions about security in one of the Middle East’s most volatile zones.
Panama’s National Assembly has sent bill 391 on the right of reply back to first debate for further review in the Commission on Government. The move delays the proposal while lawmakers examine its articles more closely.
Panama lawmakers are merging three pensioner discount bills into one proposal that would update the country’s 1987 law. Experts, meanwhile, are urging a broader review of the model.
South Korea’s president says the government could use emergency economic powers if Middle East tensions worsen and threaten energy imports. Seoul is already expanding fuel tax cuts, reserve swaps and a supplementary budget response.
Claims of a China-linked crackdown involving Panama are drawing attention, but the reporting says the evidence is thin. The episode underscores how sensitive the Panama Canal is to global geopolitics.
Santa Cruz de la Sierra has become a strategic base for drug traffickers, according to reporting on the arrest of Sebastián Marset in Bolivia. Authorities say the case highlights both the city’s geographic advantages and the challenge of disrupting cross-border criminal networks.
Taiwan’s premier warned opposition leader Cheng Li-wun not to make any deals involving government authority during her upcoming visit to mainland China. The move highlights deep political sensitivities as cross-strait tensions continue to rise.
ICIJ is marking ten years since the Panama Papers leak with a retrospective on the investigation that reshaped global debates over secrecy and accountability. The anniversary keeps Panama linked to one of journalism’s most influential international exposés.
Drone strikes hit Russia’s Ust-Luga port again as EU officials visited Ukraine, while Kyiv said it intercepted most of a large overnight Russian drone barrage. The episodes highlight the war’s continuing intensity and strategic reach.
Somali federal forces took control of Baidoa after the regional leader resigned, and the government called for peace and unity. The move highlights Somalia’s ongoing struggle to balance regional power and national stability.