Trump’s Cuba Pressure Campaign Faces a Different Test Than Venezuela
Trump’s warning that “Cuba is next” draws on his Venezuela strategy, but experts say the two cases are very different in politics, economics and regional impact.
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In-depth reporting on government actions, political parties, and policy debates in Panama. We track elections, legislative changes, and the actors shaping public life.
Trump’s warning that “Cuba is next” draws on his Venezuela strategy, but experts say the two cases are very different in politics, economics and regional impact.
Panama has launched a new government cybersecurity push with mandatory controls to strengthen email, networks and critical public systems. The move comes after a year of attacks on several state institutions.
Tulsi Gabbard has stepped down as head of U.S. intelligence, prompting renewed attention to Washington’s national security leadership. The move matters for Panama and the region because U.S. intelligence priorities can affect trade, security, and cooperation across the hemisphere.
Prosecutor Patricia Ossa Sánchez was laid to rest in Calidonia as Panama’s justice community mourned her killing. Her former partner remains in preventive detention and faces homicide and robbery charges.
The Trump administration has ordered many foreigners in the U.S. to seek green cards from abroad, tightening the path to legal permanent residency. The move could affect Latin American migrants and families with ties to the United States.
Bolivia is facing rising unrest as protests intensify and demands for President Rodrigo Paz to resign spread. The crisis raises fresh concerns about political stability in South America.
President José Raúl Mulino inspected the 77.5% complete new Aquilino Tejeira Hospital in Penonomé, a major public health project for Coclé and surrounding provinces. The facility is slated to open in the second half of 2027.
Pakistan’s army chief is in Tehran as regional mediation efforts continue and Western powers weigh tougher pressure on Iran over the Strait of Hormuz dispute. The talks come at a sensitive moment for global shipping and energy markets.
A displaced Lebanese amputee living in a makeshift camp shows the lasting human cost of the latest Israel-Hezbollah war. His struggle reflects the wider challenge facing civilians who have lost homes, mobility, and access to care.
Panama’s suspension of electricity sales to Costa Rica has deepened a trade dispute and sparked warnings about higher costs and possible rationing. The clash comes as Costa Rica faces El Niño-related energy pressure and broader concerns over regional power cooperation.
Armed groups in Colombia are increasingly using cheap drones to carry out surveillance and attacks, adding a new and frightening dimension to the country’s conflict. The tactic could also complicate regional security in Latin America.
Panama’s Comptroller General will audit multimillion-dollar water tanker contracts and consult legal experts over possible action in a fake diploma case tied to Meduca. Both matters highlight scrutiny of public spending and public-sector integrity.
Spain’s National Court has launched a formal investigation into former Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero over alleged influence-peddling tied to a pandemic bailout. The case also examines offshore transfers linked to Panama, raising fresh questions about cross-border money flows.
María Corina Machado will visit Panama’s National Assembly on Monday as part of a four-day trip that also includes meetings with President José Raúl Mulino and the foreign minister. The agenda is expected to focus on Venezuela’s democratic crisis, migration and electoral transparency.
Kevin Warsh was sworn in as Federal Reserve chair in a White House ceremony where Donald Trump renewed pressure for lower interest rates. The appointment is closely watched in Panama and other dollarized economies that track U.S. monetary policy.
Raúl Castro’s daughter rejected claims that the United States could kidnap the former Cuban leader, calling the tactic one of lies and fear. The remark underscores how sensitive U.S.-Cuba tensions remain across Latin America.
A Spanish judicial order places Panama-linked firm Panacorp at the center of the Plus Ultra bailout probe, alongside claims of fictitious financing and influence peddling. Former prime minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero is now named in the case and is due to testify on June 2.
Trial has begun in Panama against former National Security Council agents accused of running illegal surveillance during the Martinelli presidency. The case revives one of the country’s most politically charged corruption-and-spying scandals.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said talks with Iran made “slight progress,” but negotiations remain fragile and the risk of renewed conflict persists.
Mexico and the United States say they will keep security cooperation going, with both sides emphasizing mutual respect amid ongoing border and migration challenges. The relationship remains important for the wider region, including Central America and Panama.