In-depth reporting on government actions, political parties, and policy debates in Panama. We track elections, legislative changes, and the actors shaping public life.
MOCA leader Ricardo Lombana has asked Ancón representative Yamireth Batista to resign from the party as prosecutors investigate alleged misuse of public funds and workplace harassment. The case has triggered internal disciplinary action and renewed scrutiny of local public spending.
Panama prosecutors say the Belisario Porras Community Board was used to divert pandemic aid, causing a $7.3 million loss. The case involves allegations that 240 people received funds without justification.
Panama is offering Venezuelans in irregular status a free voluntary return program financed through an agreement with the United States. Authorities say the repatriation option is available until May 13.
Israeli strikes in and around Lebanon killed at least 17 people, including four south of Beirut, in a fresh escalation despite a ceasefire with Hezbollah. The attacks raise new concerns that the truce could unravel.
Families in Gaza’s Al-Shati Refugee Camp returned to widespread destruction after overnight Israeli airstrikes, deepening an already severe humanitarian crisis. The attack highlights the continuing civilian toll of the war and its global diplomatic fallout.
Panamanian authorities carried out migration operations that resulted in citations and the detection of foreigners in irregular status. Officials reminded foreigners to carry documents and keep their immigration status current.
Israeli strikes across Lebanon killed at least 19 people, putting a US-brokered ceasefire under mounting strain. New talks are expected next week as fears grow of a wider regional escalation.
Panama has opened a voluntary return process for Venezuelans who want to go back home, with repatriation flights fully financed under a migration agreement with the United States.
Costa Rica’s new president, Laura Fernández, is pressing Panama to remove restrictions on Costa Rican farm products and to reopen direct talks with José Raúl Mulino. The dispute remains unresolved after a WTO panel favored Costa Rica and Panama appealed.
Iran has highlighted the strategic importance of the Strait of Hormuz while nuclear talks with the United States continue. The warning underscores how tensions in the Gulf could affect global energy prices and trade flows.
Panama has opened registration for a voluntary repatriation program for Venezuelans in irregular status, with the process funded through an agreement with the United States. The deadline to sign up is May 13.
A commentary in Panama is renewing debate over school hairstyle rules and whether they amount to discrimination against students’ identity and culture. The discussion raises constitutional and human-rights questions about how schools balance discipline with personal freedom.
Tighter US pressure on Cuba’s oil supplies is worsening power cuts and fuel shortages, putting the island’s small private businesses under intense strain. The crisis is fueling deeper economic hardship with potential spillover effects for migration and regional stability.
Panama says relations with China are improving after a diplomatic spat, raising hopes for steadier ties between two key partners. The shift matters for trade, investment, and Panama’s broader diplomatic strategy.
Panama City’s municipality has awarded renovation contracts for Plaza 5 de Mayo and Avenida 3 de Noviembre to the Gana-Oti Consortium. The two projects total more than $11.8 million in bids.
The U.S. military killed two people in another strike in the eastern Pacific Ocean, the third such attack there this month. The pattern points to a sharper U.S. security posture in a region that matters for Latin American maritime security and trade.
Russia marked Victory Day with a smaller-than-usual parade in Moscow as Vladimir Putin again vowed victory in Ukraine. The display highlighted both wartime strain and Moscow’s refusal to back away from its military goals.
Israeli settlers attacked Palestinian areas across the West Bank, setting cars on fire and storming communities in a new escalation of violence. The attacks add to growing instability in one of the region’s most volatile flashpoints.
Rony Araúz’s 2014 reform at Unachi is back in focus after helping convert temporary teachers into permanent staff and expand the university payroll. The measure, once justified as labor regularization, is now tied to mounting salary costs and financial strain.
Panama is facing new debate over a coral protection proposal awaiting presidential sanction, the return of postal codes, and scrutiny of public-sector pay at UNACHI. The issues highlight ongoing tensions over environmental policy, modernization, and government spending.