In-depth reporting on government actions, political parties, and policy debates in Panama. We track elections, legislative changes, and the actors shaping public life.
Meduca awarded 21,000 Microsoft M365 A3 licenses for students, worth $4.4 million, but declared the laptop purchase void after all bids failed evaluation. The decision keeps the digital education push moving on software while leaving device procurement unresolved.
Panama’s Environment Ministry has issued more than 70 river pollution sanctions in five years, but total fines remain just above $230,000. Recent cases in Panama City and Azuero show how illegal discharges continue to strain rivers, water systems and enforcement efforts.
Residents near the Casa de la Municipalidad in Casco Antiguo say weekend events are bringing loud music and late-night noise into their homes. They have asked Panama City Hall to enforce decibel rules at the municipal venue.
Panama’s water crisis is being tied to weak governance, poor coordination, and stalled public policy. The call is for an intersectoral team with scientific support and execution power, not more leadership changes.
A Panamanian opinion piece argues that legal success in the country too often depends on influence rather than merit, fueling distrust in the justice system. It also warns that weak contract scrutiny and legal shortcuts can damage public finances and institutional credibility.
President Donald Trump said the United States will begin escorting ships through the Strait of Hormuz, signaling a new push to protect one of the world’s most vital shipping lanes.
Panama’s push toward OECD standards is being framed as a test of consistency, transparency and institutional discipline, not just compliance. The real challenge is whether reforms can last beyond external pressure.
A Panama opinion column criticizes the government’s prison resocialization strategy under Dinoska Montalvo, arguing that policy has become more symbolic than effective. It says reducing crime will require deeper social and institutional reforms, not just more prisons.
A reflection on Panama’s education crisis argues that the country must stop blaming teachers alone and instead treat schooling as a shared national responsibility. It also urges serious leadership in both public policy and university politics.
Panama’s National Assembly is considering a bill that would impose prison terms of up to 10 years for blocking access to beaches and rivers. The proposal frames those natural spaces as public resources of collective interest.
Iran has warned that a U.S. mission to escort ships through the Strait of Hormuz could violate a ceasefire, heightening tensions in a vital shipping lane. The dispute could have ripple effects on energy prices and global trade, including in Latin America.
The BDA delivered more than B/.160,000 in loans to producers in Azuero as part of its institutional transformation under President José Raúl Mulino. The financing supports agricultural activity in one of Panama’s key rural regions.
Panama’s Assembly is weighing Bill 392, which would impose prison terms for blocking access to beaches, rivers and other public-use areas. The measure also targets fraudulent land titling involving protected state lands.
Panama’s audit of the Donoso mining site is in its final stage, with a definitive report expected in May. Environment Minister Juan Carlos Navarro said no mining activity is taking place there, only export and material handling.
Israeli President Isaac Herzog will begin a regional trip with an official visit to Panama City, where he is expected to meet with local leaders. The visit is intended to deepen the strategic alliance between Panama and Israel.
Israeli President Isaac Herzog will make the first official visit by an Israeli president to Panama City as part of a four-day Central American trip. He is set to meet President José Raúl Mulino and members of Panama’s government to discuss bilateral ties and cooperation.
The Comptroller General of Panama is trying to regain control of its Instagram account after it was hacked for a second time. The incident underscores the importance of stronger digital security for government communications.
Iran is warning that the Strait of Hormuz will not return to its pre-war status quo after the US-Israel conflict, raising new concerns for global shipping and energy markets. The narrow waterway is a major chokepoint for oil and gas exports.
President Donald Trump said the United States will help clear ships stuck in the Strait of Hormuz and warned that any interference will be met forcefully. The move underscores rising concern over a critical global shipping chokepoint.
Panama has fallen in a press freedom ranking as regional conditions worsen. The decline comes amid broader concerns across Latin America over violence, pressure, and reporting restrictions.