Author: Manuel Antonio Espinosa

More than two months of insufficient rainfall have placed severe strain on rice crops in Natá, Coclé province, leaving small-scale producers in the community of Olivo facing potential total loss of their annual investment. The drought, linked to ongoing El Niño conditions, has dried out soil across the region and stunted plant development at a critical growth stage. Local farmers report that rain has fallen only twice during the entire period, with neither event delivering enough water to sustain the rice paddies. The affected zone lies within the El Caño corregimiento, where agricultural families depend almost entirely on seasonal rainfall…

Panama City is marking a major milestone for harpy eagle conservation this Sunday, September 20, as the country’s beloved avian ambassador turns 17 years old. The celebration unfolds at the Botanical Garden and Summit Municipal Park, where “Panamá,” the eagle who has become the face of her species’ survival, has resided since arriving from Zoo Miami in June 2013. The Alcaldía de Panamá organized the day-long event starting at 10:00 a.m., designed to draw families, residents, and international visitors into the conversation about protecting this endangered raptor. Admission includes access to environmental stands, children’s games, and recreational trails that wind…

A powerful explosion tore through a residential unit at the PH Pacific Blue complex in Bijao, Coclé province, on Friday afternoon, causing structural damage to at least five apartments and leaving two people with non-life-threatening injuries. Emergency crews from the Benemérito Cuerpo de Bomberos responded to the scene at 3:57 p.m. following reports of a blast in the Río Hato township development. Preliminary assessments indicate a 53-year-old woman and one man sustained minor injuries. Neither required hospitalization for life-threatening conditions, according to fire department reports. The explosion’s origin remains under investigation, with officials cautioning against attributing the cause to a…

Panama’s tourism sector is signaling support for a proposed cruise disembarkation fee that would charge $5 per passenger arriving in Colón, a move backers say could inject desperately needed funding into the Caribbean province. Ernesto Orillac, former president of Panama’s Tourism Chamber (Camtur), endorsed the interinstitutional dialogue proposed by Colón Mayor Diógenes Galván to study the levy. The proposal comes as Colón struggles with infrastructure decay and limited public resources despite hosting thousands of cruise visitors annually. A five dollar charge, supporters argue, is negligible for travelers spending hundreds or thousands on a cruise vacation but could collectively generate meaningful…

American citizens living in Panama and other countries must act quickly to secure their ballots for the November 3 general election, with recommended mailing dates falling in early October. The Federal Voting Assistance Program (FVAP) has outlined specific procedures for election participation overseas, including registration deadlines and backup ballot options for those who miss primary windows. US Embassy officials in Panama City confirmed that ballot drop-box services are available at the Clayton compound during regular business hours. Citizens who register through the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) receive a legal guarantee that their state will transmit ballots at least 45…

Authorities are sounding the alarm over crocodile attack prevention after a video circulating on social media showed a man dangerously approaching several reptiles at the Port of Coquira in Chepo district. The area is a recognized natural habitat for crocodiles, and the footage has reignited urgent calls for public caution. The incident comes just days after a fisherman was injured in a crocodile attack in the same sector. Officials from Panama’s Environment Ministry (MiAmbiente) said the reckless behavior seen in the video could provoke more aggressive encounters between humans and wildlife. Crocodile Attack Prevention Measures Under Scrutiny The video has…

Panama recorded 229,904 new employment registrations between January and August 2026, a 25.3 percent increase over the 183,508 contracts filed during the same period last year. The preliminary figures released by the Ministry of Labor and Labor Development (Mitradel) show the market added 46,396 additional work contracts, signaling a strengthening labor market heading into the final quarter. July led all months with 33,154 registrations, followed by June with 32,784 and March with 31,516. August posted the lowest monthly figure of 2026 at 22,367 contracts, but still outpaced August 2025 by 17.1 percent when 19,094 agreements were recorded. New Employment Registrations…

Panama has officially launched its free medical coverage program for international visitors, effective immediately after the Comptroller General’s Office approved the contract awarded by the Panama Tourism Authority (ATP). The policy automatically protects foreign tourists and Panamanian residents living abroad from the moment they receive their immigration stamp at participating airports, with no forms, payments, or additional procedures required. The coverage extends through the first ten days of a visitor’s stay. ATP Administrator Gloria de León confirmed the contract was endorsed last Friday and that officials decided to activate the policy right away, ensuring any traveler who suffers an accident,…

A proposed 15 percent levy on vacation rentals booked through platforms like Airbnb could reshape Panama’s lodging market and drive up costs for travelers. The measure, part of a broader tourism incentive package submitted to the National Assembly by the Panama Tourism Authority (ATP), targets the estimated 13,000 short-term rental units currently operating without specific taxation or registration. The Panama tourist tax proposal emerged after consultations with the Panamanian Hotel Association (APATEL), which recommended the 15 percent rate for vacation rentals. ATP administrator Gloria De León confirmed the rate was incorporated into the bill before its submission to lawmakers, where…

Panama’s banking regulator has ordered the elimination of multiple customer fees starting January 4, 2027, a move that faces open resistance from financial institutions. The Superintendency of Banks of Panama (SBP) confirmed the bank commission elimination will apply to in-person transactions, credit- procedures, and account management services. The agreement, signed August 25, 2026, gives banks a transition window to overhaul internal policies and adjust fee structures before enforcement begins. Superintendent Milton Ayón Wong acknowledged the sector’s displeasure with the new regulatory framework. Scope of Bank Commission Elimination Measures The regulation prohibits banks from charging fees on cash deposits and withdrawals…