Abner Benaim won the Audience Award at IFF Panama for his investigative documentary *Tropical Paradise*. The honor adds to the profile of one of Panama’s most recognized filmmakers.
Australia has pledged A$2.5 million in emergency aid to Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands after Cyclone Maila killed 11 people. The storm caused flooding and landslides in remote Pacific communities.
Panama’s Finance Ministry will open kiosks to help people register for Cepanim as the digital platform launches in April. Officials say payments are scheduled to begin in June and urge the public to ignore rumors online.
Panama’s Supreme Court upheld the expropriation of 41 Isla Margarita properties tied to PCCP, clearing a major legal hurdle for the government’s planned port project. The ruling follows years of disputes over concession breaches, land control, and ownership claims.
Panama’s 83rd National Major Baseball Championship is being broadcast through TVMAX, TVN Pass, and TVMAX PANAMÁ’s YouTube channel. The wide coverage keeps fans connected to one of the country’s biggest sporting events.
Panama’s government is seeking $561,724 for a consultancy to build the financial model for the Panama–David railway, a key step in its feasibility study. Lawmakers questioned prior spending on the project as officials defended the new budget request.
A new study shows 35% of Panama’s children live in poverty and 16% in extreme poverty, with indigenous comarcas facing the country’s harshest conditions. Officials say better-targeted social policy is needed to close widening territorial gaps.
The Panama Canal closed the first half of fiscal 2026 with 6,284 high-draft transits, led by strong growth in LNG and container traffic. Higher reservation demand and heavy use of the Neopanamax locks point to sustained pressure on canal capacity.
Panama’s child poverty crisis drew strong attention during the Cita Eucarística, where leaders were urged to treat it as a national debt. The message linked child protection, public accountability, and the country’s long-term future.
Panama City’s municipality is drawing 10 unique bidders for $17 million in urban renewal works at Plaza 5 de Mayo, Avenida 3 de Noviembre and Calle Estudiante. The projects aim to improve walkability, public space, drainage and transport connections in the city center.
Panama’s securities regulator is preparing a draft of a long-awaited law update aimed at modernizing market rules, technology oversight and investor protection. The reform moves forward as the country’s capital markets continue to expand in size and complexity.
UPAM continues operating in Panama despite a formal shutdown order from the Education Ministry, deepening scrutiny over university oversight and enforcement. The case has now reached the National Assembly, where officials faced questions about weak controls and inconsistent regulation.
Political tension rose in Panama after new criticism of Contralor Anel Flores and debate over conduct in an anticorruption case. At the same time, attention is shifting to the next Electoral Tribunal magistrate and the new ombudsman’s public appearance.
Panama’s Labor Ministry is demanding stricter oversight of union training funds after raising concerns about reporting gaps and a preliminary audit that flagged possible irregularities of up to $7 million. Conusi and Conato have pushed back, saying they have complied with required accounting.
Banco General’s 2025 Responsible Banking Report highlights progress in emissions cuts, digital inclusion, education funding and governance reforms. The bank also moved closer to carbon neutrality in its operations and expanded its role in Panama’s sustainable finance agenda.
ENSA has scheduled preventive maintenance on its electrical network from April 13 to 19, with temporary outages possible in specific areas. Customers can check whether their property may be affected using their NAC on the company’s interruption calendar.
Port Amador is aiming to become a Pacific superyacht hub in Panama, leveraging its waterfront location near Panama City and the Panama Canal. The move could boost marine tourism, services, and the country’s high-end maritime profile.
New Zealand customs found nearly $17 million in cocaine hidden in a shipping container that had carried legitimate goods from Balboa, Panama. The seizure highlights the risks of drug trafficking through international cargo routes.
Panama’s insecurity debate is being influenced by Bukele’s tough-on-crime model in El Salvador, where the CECOT prison and state of exception have cut homicides but raised rights concerns. Strong public approval of Bukele in Panama is fueling questions about how far the country should go on security.
First Quantum is advancing its Taca Taca project in Argentina while still dealing with the consequences of the Cobre Panama shutdown. The company’s next steps remain closely tied to Panama’s mining dispute and investor confidence.