Author: Manuel Antonio Espinosa

President José Raúl Mulino has issued a presidential veto Panama lawmakers now must confront, returning Bill 226 of 2025 to the National Assembly after determining the measure violates both existing legislation and the Constitution. The bill sought to broaden discounts and financial relief for retirees, pensioners, and elderly residents across the country. In a letter addressed to Assembly President Shirley Castañedas, Mulino acknowledged the proposal’s legitimate social objectives but said constitutional incompatibilities and practical concerns forced his objection to the entire project. The veto arrives after weeks of formal dialogue between government officials, retiree unions, and private sector representatives. Scope…

Panama City secured a top-five position among the best cities LatAm in the 2026 Global Cities Index published by Oxford Economics, according to data released Monday. The ranking evaluated 113 cities across Latin America and the Caribbean using 27 indicators grouped into five categories: economy, human capital, quality of life, environment, and governance. The Panamanian capital placed fifth regionally and 280th globally among 1,000 cities assessed worldwide. Buenos Aires led the region at 138th globally, followed by Santiago at 155th, Lima at 196th, and Mexico City at 221st. Best Cities LatAm Ranking Methodology and Results Bloomberg Línea reported that the…

Panama’s rivers are seeing a notable crocodile population recovery, but researchers say the animals are not simply multiplying. They are being drawn to specific areas by human activity, particularly fishing ports and shrimp farms where food is abundant and easy to access. In one striking example, scientists identified 36 crocodiles along a single kilometer of the Río Grande de Coclé’s mouth. The concentration underscores a growing challenge for communities living near waterways, where encounters between people and reptiles have become more frequent. Adding to this tension, a video that surfaced last week showing a man recklessly approaching a crocodile has…

El Niño is disrupting sea turtle conservation efforts along Panama’s Pacific coast, where biologists warn that extreme heat could wipe out entire nests or skew populations toward a single sex. The Fundación Agua y Tierra is documenting these impacts at Playa Mata Oscura in Veraguas province, where sand temperatures now regularly exceed safe incubation thresholds. The foundation’s monitoring program has recorded conditions that threaten both egg survival and long-term reproductive viability. Biologist Karen Rodríguez said the stakes are straightforward. Turtle eggs incubate safely between 28 and 34 degrees Celsius. Beyond that range, the consequences are severe. ‘If temperatures exceed 34…

A Panama-flagged bulk carrier, the M N First Margaux, was involved in a maritime collision Singapore territorial waters on September 21, 2026. The Panama Maritime Authority (AMP) confirmed the incident occurred near Singapore, with the vessel striking a fishing boat. All crew members from both ships remain safe and in good health, according to official statements. The AMP established direct communication with the Company Security Officer (CSO) following the incident. Initial reports confirm the Panamanian bulk carrier sustained no structural damage from the impact. The fishing vessel, But, suffered structural damage but retained buoyancy and navigational capacity. Maritime Collision Singapore…

Merca Panamá launched a weekend fair in its Volcán warehouse to connect consumers with discounted staples, as merchants rolled out special pricing on produce and meats to counter escalating food and fuel costs. The initiative, held September 19, drew vendors and small entrepreneurs seeking to boost sales while offering relief to household budgets. Organizers said the event forms part of a broader push by the National Cold Chain Markets to replicate low-cost fairs as a direct response to inflationary pressure on basic goods. Panama Market Deals Feature Discounted Produce and Meats Vendors priced potatoes at 65 cents, carrots at 60…

The 62nd edition of the International Sea Fair is underway on Isla Colón in Bocas del Toro, drawing residents and visitors to a celebration built around gastronomy, commerce, entertainment, and maritime traditions. The event, held September 19, 2026, has become one of the province’s signature gatherings, offering local merchants and entrepreneurs a high-traffic platform to showcase their products. Organizers said this year’s edition continues to anchor itself in the community’s deep connection to the ocean, with water-based competitions and a fishing tournament moving much of the action directly into the waters surrounding Isla Colón. International Sea Fair Showcases Local Commerce…

The Panama Maritime Authority (AMP) has launched a formal maritime infrastructure consultation to gather market intelligence before commissioning technical studies and designs for six ports across the country. The request for information, published September 4 on the Panama Compra platform, targets engineering firms, consultants, and specialized providers with expertise in port development. The consultation covers ports in Coquira (Panama province), Mensabé and Arenal (Los Santos), Hicaco (Veraguas), and Pedregal and Remedios (Chiriquí). AMP officials said the process will remain open for 20 calendar days and does not constitute the start of a bidding process. Scope of the Maritime Infrastructure Consultation…

Panama City, Panama , President José Raúl Mulino announced Wednesday that Panama economic growth hit 6.4 percent in the second quarter, while unemployment fell to 9.3 percent. The figures, released during an infrastructure event in eastern Panama Province, mark the strongest signal yet that the country’s post-pandemic recovery is translating into tangible labor market gains. Mulino said more than 100,000 new jobs were created over the past year, with private sector hiring outpacing public sector employment for the first time in 12 years. “It’s very encouraging for the country to strengthen and for those quarters of growth to start being…

Panama City, Panama , Consumer protection authorities will deploy inspection teams across shopping centers nationwide during the Panama Black Weekend, scheduled for October 2 through 4, to verify that advertised discounts and promotions match actual prices charged at registers. The Authority for Consumer Protection and Defense of Competition (Acodeco) has coordinated personnel for all three days of the commercial event, placing staff in major malls to guide shoppers and receive complaints on-site, according to Raúl Lindo, national director of consumer protection at Acodeco. Price Verification and Consumer Safeguards Lindo urged shoppers to confirm that promotional discounts appear correctly at checkout,…