In-depth reporting on government actions, political parties, and policy debates in Panama. We track elections, legislative changes, and the actors shaping public life.
Israeli strikes in Lebanon killed a woman and injured children, highlighting the collapse of a fragile U.S.-brokered ceasefire and the widening civilian toll. The violence has displaced more than a million people and risks broader regional escalation.
Panama will launch the official bicentennial celebration of the Congreso Anfictiónico on June 22, with several presidents expected to attend. The commemoration revives Bolívar’s dream of uniting the nations of the Americas.
Panama’s Labor Day observance began with a mass at Don Bosco Basilica, honoring the historic fight for workers’ rights. The May 1 commemoration remains a key date for labor identity and public reflection.
Panama’s OECD ambitions are being linked to a broader reform agenda focused on productivity, innovation and diversification. The push highlights informality, weak R&D and the need to modernize the state.
Nelva Reyes marked May Day with a forceful defense of labor rights, warning that informal work, weak wages, and union pressures are still hurting Panamanian workers. She also linked the holiday to the historical struggle that won the eight-hour day.
Panama will soon welcome a new apostolic nuncio after Monsignor Dagoberto Campos is transferred to Ecuador. He will remain in Panama for about six more weeks during the transition.
Israeli forces intercepted a Gaza-bound aid flotilla and took 22 vessels to Crete, deepening tensions over the blockade of the enclave. The incident is likely to intensify international debate over humanitarian access and maritime restrictions.
Opposition to the proposed Río Indio dam is growing as rural communities raise concerns about land rights, identity, and the impact of canal-related development. The dispute has become a wider debate over infrastructure and the treatment of Panama’s countryside.
Former officials were arrested in Panama over an alleged embezzlement case tied to Don Bosco Technical Institute in Panama City. The probe is part of Operation “Pupitre,” which has put education spending under scrutiny.
Susan Elizabeth Castillo has left her role as director of Public Relations and Press at the Panama Fire Department after 15 months. In a parting statement, she said she came to work, not to occupy a seat.
Panama’s National Assembly suspended a bill that would add a charge on shipping containers to help fund pension increases. President José Raúl Mulino distanced his government from the proposal, which now returns to a second debate.
Susan Elizabeth Castillo has resigned as director of the Panama Firefighters’ Public Relations and Press Office after 15 months, saying she is starting a new professional chapter. She said complaints against her were dismissed and thanked supporters while urging the public to trust official channels.
Panama’s Social Security system says insured patients must present their cédula to receive medical care, phasing out other forms of identification. The change makes the national ID essential for access to public health services.
Panama is continuing diplomatic efforts to secure the release of seven Panamanian citizens detained in Cuba. President José Raúl Mulino has kept the case as a priority since it began.
More than 40 Iranian merchant seafarers were killed in attacks tied to the US-Israeli war against Iran, according to a union leader. The reported deaths underscore the conflict’s growing impact on civilian shipping and global trade.
Ukraine’s expanding air strikes are reshaping the war with Russia and prompting Moscow to brand the attacks as terrorism. The development highlights a new phase of the conflict with broader geopolitical consequences.
Iran has warned that it would deliver a long and painful response if the United States renews attacks, as ceasefire talks remain stalled. The tense pause since April 8 leaves the conflict unresolved and vulnerable to escalation.
Russia struck towns across Ukraine overnight, killing one person and injuring several others in attacks that hit both Black Sea areas and central regions. The assault highlights the war’s continuing impact on civilians and its broader global fallout.
Ukraine’s war is accelerating the rise of AI-enabled battlefield systems, raising new questions about autonomous weapons and the future of combat. The shift could reshape global security, arms control, and even trade routes that matter to Panama.
Trump has signaled that U.S. attacks on Iran could resume, while Iran’s president says the pressure on his country is intolerable. The latest escalation raises fears of a wider regional confrontation with global economic fallout.