Panama’s IMA has secured locally produced picnic ham for this year’s Naviferias and reported 48 million pounds of Panamanian rice sold so far in 2026. The agency also plans new stores in five districts to expand access to affordable national foods.
Cuba released three Panamanian women detained in the country after diplomatic efforts by Panama’s government. The case remains active as authorities continue working for the release of the remaining Panamanians.
Two Panamanian women detained in Cuba have returned home, while seven other citizens remain in custody on the island. The case has become a matter of public concern in Panama.
Panama welcomed the release of three citizens detained in Cuba, where seven other Panamanians remain held. The case continues to carry diplomatic and family concern in Panama.
Potsa will keep operating while Panama’s Maritime Authority reviews legal challenges to its concession after the Balboa explosion and fire. The company remains subject to strict safety and regulatory rules during the process.
Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon killed four people in Yohmor al-Shaqif, underscoring the continued volatility of the border conflict tied to the war in Gaza.
Panama is forecast to have cloudy skies and showers on both coasts, with moderate wave conditions in the Caribbean and Pacific. The weather pattern could affect travel, outdoor plans, and marine activity.
Clashes between Mali’s army and rebel groups are being reported across multiple cities, suggesting a new and unusually coordinated escalation. The fighting could further destabilize the Sahel region.
Shipping companies are bidding up to $4 million for priority Panama Canal transit as unrest in the Strait of Hormuz disrupts global trade routes. The surge highlights the Canal’s growing importance as carriers seek safer and faster alternatives.
An Indonesian UN peacekeeper has been killed in southern Lebanon, becoming the sixth UN troop casualty in the recent hostilities there. The death raises fresh concerns about the safety of international forces in the escalating border conflict.
Panama thanked Cuba after three of 10 Panamanian citizens detained on the island were released. Seven others remain in custody, keeping the diplomatic issue alive.
International flights have resumed at Tehran’s main airport as a US-Iran ceasefire continues to hold. The reopening signals the first steps toward restoring civilian life after weeks of war disruption.
Armed groups launched coordinated attacks across Mali, striking the capital, the main airport and several other locations. The assaults underscore the country’s deepening security crisis and regional instability in the Sahel.
Tehran’s main airport has resumed commercial flights after a two-month suspension linked to the conflict involving Iran, the US and Israel. The reopening marks an early sign of recovery in civilian transport after a major regional disruption.
Businesses are paying steep premiums to move cargo through the Panama Canal as tensions around the Strait of Hormuz raise concerns over global shipping routes. The surge highlights the canal’s strategic value during periods of maritime uncertainty.
Panama Canal traffic has increased as conflict in the Middle East pushes more shipping toward the waterway, according to ACP Administrator Ricaurte Vásquez. The trend underscores the canal’s role as a key global trade route and an important economic asset for Panama.
Panama’s National Assembly honored The Beachers for 60 years of calypso music, celebrating the Bocas del Toro group’s role in Caribbean cultural identity. The tribute also recognized director Lloyd Gallimore and the band’s lasting place in Panamanian music.
Panama is expanding its role in business tourism, using convention centers, airport connectivity, and event infrastructure to attract global corporate gatherings. The country is strengthening its MICE profile as a destination for meetings, conferences, and incentive travel.
The Panama Canal logged 6,288 transits in the first half of fiscal year 2026, reinforcing its role as a vital route for global trade. The waterway remains open and fully operational as shipping demand continues to shift.
The U.S. Embassy will bring American Citizens Services staff to Boquete on May 13, 2026, offering appointment-only passport renewal and notarial services. A morning session will also allow U.S. citizens to meet with the consul and share feedback.