Panama’s cultural calendar for October 1-8 features Design Week, symphonic concerts, the Dolega patronal fair, a fantastic literature festival and events across five provinces.
Panama’s Ngäbe-Buglé Comarca will get its first hospital, to be built in Chichica, Health Minister Fernando Boyd Galindo announced, alongside a drone program to deliver medicines to remote communities.
Ecuador lost 5-4 on penalties to Japan in the Kirin Cup semifinal, setting up a third place match against Panama, who were eliminated by New Zealand on penalties. The two sides will meet as Japan and New Zealand contest Monday’s final.
A commission has recommended Panama negotiate with First Quantum on a progressive closure of the Cobre Panamá copper mine and a final arbitration settlement, stressing talks do not bind the State to any outcome.
Panama will begin its Fifth Round evaluation by the Financial Action Task Force (GAFI) in August 2027, with the final report due in December 2028 and a sharp focus on effectiveness rather than just technical compliance. Regulators report progress, including 92% compliance in beneficial ownership registration among non-financial obligated subjects.
Panama’s unemployment rate dropped from 10.4% to 8.5%, but hundreds of thousands remain underemployed, working long hours for below-minimum-wage income.
Panama has been elected First Vice President of the 63rd PAHO Executive Council, gaining a leadership role at the major regional health meeting underway in Washington. The position gives Panama a direct voice in shaping hemispheric health policy and cooperation.
Panama’s Superintendent of Non-Financial Subjects expects the country to exit the EU tax blacklist, banking on approval of a new economic substance law requiring companies to demonstrate real activity and presence in the country.
A legal debate has emerged in Panama over whether the Coalición Vamos followed all required steps, including collecting signatures before Electoral Tribunal witnesses, in its bid to form a new political party.
Cybercrime experts are warning Panamanians about silent phone calls used by scammers to record voices and harvest personal data for voice-cloning fraud. Authorities urge the public to hang up immediately and avoid sharing information with unknown callers.
Panama’s National Assembly approved Bill 701, setting the Panama Canal’s 2027 budget with projected total revenues of 5,555 million dollars, a key indicator for the country’s fiscal planning.
Panama’s Ministry of Social Development is leading efforts to create a national plan and intervention protocols to coordinate care for people experiencing homelessness across the country’s municipalities.
IKEA has opened job applications in Panama ahead of its upcoming store launch, with vacancies in sales, logistics, customer service, HR, finance, and technology. The hiring drive signals the retailer’s arrival is nearing.
The Panama Canal will increase daily transits to 33 starting October 15, including 10 slots through the Neopanamax locks, with a maximum authorized draft of 14.94 meters (49 feet), as the waterway continues recovering from drought-driven restrictions.
Panama’s Ministry of Health has logged 8,060 dengue cases and 63 influenza deaths in 2026, prompting reinforced prevention measures against both mosquito-borne and respiratory viruses.
The Panama Chamber of Commerce has questioned changes to the Electoral Code approved in first debate, urging transparency and no haste in the second debate. Business leaders warn electoral rules must be handled carefully ahead of upcoming elections.
Pigeon peas (guandú) have reached 10 dollars per pound at some stalls in Panama City’s San Felipe Neri Market, with consumers calling the price excessive and vendors saying it is normal for the season.
Coalición Vamos submitted more than 70,000 signatures to Panama’s Electoral Tribunal, collected in just 27 days, to begin the formal process of becoming a registered political party.
Fishermen from five Pacific coast communities handed over 1,500 pounds of disused fishing nets to ARAP’s Canje Azul program in Punta Chame, receiving food bags in exchange as part of efforts to reduce the threat of ghost nets to marine ecosystems.
Diddier Rodríguez won gold in the 3,000m steeplechase with an event record as Panama closed the South American Games Santa Fe 2026 with a historic five golds and 16 total medals, both national records.