Author: Manuel Antonio Espinosa

A Panamanian judge ordered provisional detention on September 25 for three individuals accused of human trafficking and organized crime linked to the Panama Russia recruitment of citizens for military service through fraudulent social media offers. The ruling, confirmed by the Attorney General’s Office, brings the total number of people prosecuted in the case to six since the investigation opened earlier this month. Prosecutors presented evidence during a control of guarantees hearing that led to the legalization of arrests and formal charges on two counts, human trafficking and organized crime. The court found sufficient grounds to establish four procedural risks, justifying…

The Mining Chamber of Panama (Camipa) has formally urged the government to end months of uncertainty and move toward mining operations reopening at the shuttered Cobre Panama facility in Donoso. In a statement issued Monday, the industry group warned that continued delays carry mounting costs for workers, local communities, suppliers, investors, and environmental management of the existing site. The request lands as a government commission, composed of the ministers of Economy and Finance, Commerce and Industries, and Environment, prepares to deliver a recommendation to President José Raúl Mulino on whether the massive copper mine should resume production. Conditions for Mining…

A 43-year-old man remains hospitalized after being struck by a bull during the Panama bull tradition events at the National Mejorana Festival in Guararé, Los Santos province. The incident occurred Sunday when the man entered the bullring barrier and was hit by the animal, officials confirmed. The victim was transported to Joaquín Pablo Franco Sayas Hospital in Las Tablas, where medical staff reported he is alive and in stable condition under observation. False reports circulating on social media claimed the man had died from his injuries, but authorities dismissed those accounts as misinformation. Panama Bull Tradition and Festival Safety Concerns…

Global jet fuel prices reached $194.90 per barrel on September 18, 2026, marking a 116.5 percent increase compared to the same period last year, according to data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA). The spike, driven largely by escalating tensions in the Middle East, is fueling concerns about the airfare price impact for travelers booking flights from Panama and across the Americas. The sharp rise represents a 7.4 percent jump in just one week and a 24.2 percent increase over the previous month’s average. Industry analysts warn that airlines, which typically spend between 30 and 50 percent of their…

Panama’s Ministry of Environment (MiAmbiente) is preparing new studies to regulate water well drilling across the country, citing fears that the approaching El Niño phenomenon could trigger unsustainable extraction of underground reserves. The agency confirmed it has catalogued roughly 3,700 wells in 2025 and is now verifying which remain operational while testing water quality for human consumption, agriculture, and livestock use. Betzabé Atencio, national director of Water Security at MiAmbiente, said the government will require scientific data before authorizing new perforations. The policy shift comes as projections indicate rainfall will remain below normal levels from September through November, with more…

Panama’s maritime sector faces mounting pressure from port saturation and digital infrastructure gaps, with industry leaders warning that Panama port congestion could erode the country’s competitive edge against regional rivals Mexico and Colombia. Executives from the country’s top maritime associations called this week for accelerated investment and coordinated execution of pending strategies to protect Panama’s position in global trade. René Gómez, president of the Panama Maritime Chamber (CMP), Ricardo Lince Boyd, president of the National Maritime Association of Panama (MAPA), and port expert Rommel Troesch delivered a unified message during recent industry discussions. The core challenge, they said, is not…

A privately funded Colon transport terminal is set to begin operations in mid-to-late October, ending a decades-long wait for modernized transit infrastructure in the Caribbean province. The facility enters its final construction phase with signaling and road marking work scheduled to start within days. Nicolás Brea Kavasila, director general of the Transit and Land Transport Authority (ATTT), inspected the site alongside transport operators after administrators invited him to review the project’s progress. The terminal still requires final legal approvals before the ATTT can formally grant its operating concession. Colon Transport Terminal Capacity and Security Features Gustavo Granados, the terminal’s general…

A new Darien jungle exhibition opened Saturday at the Panama Canal Museum, presenting more than 60 works by Panamanian artist Isabel de Obaldía that reinterpret the region’s early colonial history through maps, chronicles, and archival documents. The exhibition, titled “Mar Tenebroso. Selva Indomable” (Dark Sea, Untamed Jungle), occupies the museum’s top floor and focuses on the period when Spanish explorers first arrived in Tierra Firme and established Santa María la Antigua del Darién, the first European settlement on the American mainland. Historical Research Fuels the Darien Jungle Exhibition De Obaldía built the collection from an extensive investigation into the Darién’s…

Panama’s Ministry of Health (Minsa) and the Social Security Fund (CSS) are consolidating a national plan to standardize HIV patient care, eliminating gaps between insured and uninsured populations. The agreement, reached during a follow-up meeting in Panama City, unifies antiretroviral treatment protocols, medication lists, and care standards across all public health facilities. Officials from both institutions evaluated progress on prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up care. The core decision involves homologating medications and clinical norms so patients receive identical treatment regardless of which facility they visit. This marks a significant shift toward integrated public health delivery for the more than 22,000…

Panamanian beekeepers are adopting sustainable beekeeping Panama methods focused on native stingless bee species, receiving hands-on training in hive management and colony transfer techniques, agricultural officials confirmed this week. The initiative, led by the Ministry of Agricultural Development (MIDA) and the Agricultural Innovation Institute of Panama (IDIAP), included practical demonstrations of transferring two hives alongside guidance on proper care for these specialized pollinators. Sustainable Beekeeping Panama Gains Ground in Rural Communities Panama has emerged as a key country for understanding the relationship between native stingless bees, honey production, and public agricultural policy. The push comes amid broader concerns about climate…