Panama is preparing a reform of its public procurement law to speed up bidding, strengthen PanamaCompra, and require disclosure of final beneficiaries. Lawmakers are pressing for stronger transparency and fewer delays in state contracts.
El Caño in Natá de los Caballeros continues to reveal elite burials, gold ornaments and evidence of a complex ancient society in central Panama. Researchers and residents are now pushing for a museum to protect the finds and share the site’s history.
U.S. Ambassador Kevin Marino Cabrera said Huawei and similar firms are not reliable, tied visa decisions to national security, and pointed to deeper U.S.-Panama cooperation on cybersecurity and investment. He also said Panama alone must decide how to manage ties with China.
Panama’s port system posted a slight first-quarter decline, but the numbers hide a major reshuffling of cargo between terminals. Balboa and Cristóbal fell during a management transition, while several Atlantic ports grew sharply.
A heated budget hearing in the National Assembly exposed the power of Panama’s sports federations, especially around baseball funding and oversight. Despite sharp clashes, lawmakers approved Pandeportes’ $18.5 million transfer.
Ifarhu expects the first PASE-U 2026 payment in June after completing beneficiary validation with the Ministry of Education. The program will also restrict spending to education-related needs and add digital monitoring.
Bocas del Toro won its fifth Major Baseball League title with a seventh-game victory over Chiriquí, extending its modern era of success. Eduards Toló, who has now taken part in four championships with the province, delivered another defining moment in the final.
Panama’s World Press Freedom Day reflection highlights the link between independent journalism, transparency and democratic accountability. The piece calls for stronger protections against pressure on media and greater openness in public life.
Panama’s planned public procurement reforms promise faster and more digital contracting, but the real test is whether lawmakers will require disclosure of beneficial owners. Without that transparency, efficiency gains may do little to curb corruption risks.
Israeli President Isaac Herzog will make a four-day official visit to Panama and Costa Rica this week. The trip highlights Panama’s role as a diplomatic partner and regional hub.
A proposal to extend preferential mortgage financing to second-hand homes is stirring debate in Panama over housing access, construction jobs and tax rules. The plan could help buyers while adding pressure on new housing projects.
Panama’s Third Chamber has set compensation in dietilenglicol cases at 25,000 balboas for moral damage while rejecting material damage claims. The rulings have prompted debate over whether the awards match Inter-American standards on full reparation.
Julio Dely Valdés said Sporting’s defeat felt strange from the opening minute, reflecting frustration after a difficult result. The team now turns its attention to recovering in the next match.
A rare pink katydid was observed changing to a green camouflage color on Barro Colorado Island in Panama. The sighting highlights the country’s rich biodiversity and importance in tropical research.
Panama is marking 150 years of Jewish community life, recognizing generations of Jewish Panamanians who helped shape the country’s civic and cultural identity. The milestone highlights a long history of integration, leadership, and national contribution.
The Panama Canal is at the center of intensifying U.S.-China competition over strategic shipping routes. Panama’s control of the waterway remains a key issue for trade, sovereignty, and global security.
Trump said he is considering a 14-point peace proposal for Iran but warned that strikes could resume if Tehran does not comply. The comments highlight a fragile mix of diplomacy and pressure in US-Iran tensions.
The Panama Canal is regaining global attention as shipping shifts away from the Strait of Hormuz, raising its importance in international trade. The change highlights Panama’s central role in keeping cargo moving between oceans.
The Panama Canal is gaining new importance as global shipping reroutes away from disrupted passages such as the Strait of Hormuz. The shift underscores Panama’s central role in international trade.
More than 190,000 beneficiaries have registered on Panama’s MEF platform to receive Cepanim, a payment certificate tied to interest on overdue obligations. The figure signals wide participation in the government’s financial program.