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 is emphasizing sovereignty and respectful diplomacy as tensions grow over China’s influence in Latin America. The country’s role as host of the Panama Canal keeps it at the center of global strategic competition.
Rebel and separatist groups are intensifying pressure on Mali’s military government, with checkpoints reported near Bamako and a northern town seized. The developments highlight the country’s worsening security crisis and broader instability in the Sahel.
Trump said he has raised tariffs on autos from the European Union to 25%, accusing Brussels of failing to comply with a trade deal. The move escalates transatlantic trade tensions and could ripple through global supply chains.
Idaan deputy director Luis Santanach resigned as Panama’s water crisis continues to strain communities in multiple provinces. His exit comes just as Antonio Tercero González begins leading the agency.
Cuba held large May Day rallies as the US announced new sanctions, sharpening pressure on an economy already hit by shortages and inflation. The annual celebrations doubled as a show of defiance against Washington.
Workers’ groups marched in Panama City on May 1 with demands for better labor conditions, rejection of foreign interference, and protests over union persecution. Río Indio communities also joined to oppose a Panama Canal reservoir project.
President Donald Trump has announced a 25% tariff on European Union cars and trucks, intensifying a trade dispute that could affect global supply chains and transatlantic commerce.
Panama’s capital saw a Labor Day march involving several union groups, beginning with a mass and followed by speeches on their ongoing labor struggle. The demonstration highlighted workers’ concerns and the continued role of organized labor in public debate.
A curfew is now in effect in Belisario Frías and Arnulfo Arias in San Miguelito, with residents in Torrijos Carter already adjusting their routines. The measure is reshaping evening mobility in one of Panama’s most populated districts.
Panama’s National Police defended its ballistic vests after the death of officer Albis Espinoza in El Chorrillo, saying no vest offers total body protection. The government is also reviewing the force’s equipment stock, including expired vests and a planned new purchase.
Federal prosecutors have released surveillance footage showing an armed man rushing through security in an alleged plot targeting President Donald Trump at the White House Correspondents’ dinner. The case highlights major U.S. security concerns with possible ripple effects for Panama and the region.
The United States has warned shipping companies not to pay fees tied to transit through the Strait of Hormuz, as tensions in the Gulf remain high. The move underscores the risk to global energy and shipping flows, with indirect implications for Panama’s trade-linked economy.
Panama observed May Day with demonstrations that put labor concerns, wages and working conditions in the spotlight. The annual rallies remain an important outlet for unions and civic groups to push for policy changes.
Procedures at Panama’s Electoral Tribunal multiservice kiosks rose 53%, with certificate requests driving more than 60,000 transactions. The increase highlights the growing role of assisted-service tools in public administration.
Former U.S. Rep. David Rivera was convicted on all counts in a case involving secret lobbying for Venezuela’s Maduro government and money laundering charges. The verdict highlights U.S. scrutiny of covert foreign influence operations tied to Latin America.
San Miguelito has imposed a curfew in Belisario Frías and Arnulfo Arias, with the National Police setting up control points to enforce the restriction. People who violate the rule without a valid reason face sanctions.
The European Union’s trade deal with Mercosur has taken provisional effect, creating a giant free trade area spanning Europe and South America. The agreement could reshape trade flows, investment and export opportunities across the Atlantic.
Rising tensions around the Strait of Hormuz are putting new focus on the Panama Canal as a strategic trade route in the U.S.-China rivalry. For Panama, the canal remains both an economic pillar and a key geopolitical asset.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth was grilled in Congress over the Trump administration’s war with Iran and a record defense budget request. The hearings highlighted rising questions about strategy, spending, and global fallout.
May 1 marks Labor Day around the world, a date rooted in the fight for shorter hours, fair pay, and labor protections. In Panama, the eight-hour workday was established in 1914 under Belisario Porras.