Author: Manuel Antonio Espinosa

The Panama inflation rate climbed 0.2% in August 2026, snapping a two-month deflationary streak and reigniting concerns about household budgets across the country. The National Institute of Statistics and Census (INEC) confirmed the reversal Wednesday, attributing the spike primarily to a punishing 6.4% surge in fuel and lubricant prices. That single increase in transportation costs pushed the entire consumer price index upward, erasing the 0.3% declines recorded in both June and July. Economists had watched the summer dip cautiously, but August’s fuel shock eliminated any breathing room consumers might have gained. Transportation Costs Drive the Sharpest Pain The transportation division…

Panama’s vehicle landscape is shifting rapidly as the registered motorcycle fleet hits 150,000 units, a figure that now represents more than 10 percent of the country’s estimated one million vehicles. The surge in Panama motorcycle growth has prompted the Transit and Land Transport Authority (ATTT) to prepare a targeted road safety education plan, according to agency director Nicolás Brea. Brea confirmed the numbers during a briefing in Panama City, noting the increase has accelerated in recent months. The ATTT now faces the challenge of managing a growing population of riders whose driving practices have raised concerns among traffic authorities and…

Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino has categorically rejected assertions by former US National Security Advisor John Bolton that his government requested a military deployment Panama operation targeting the Darién Gap. The denial came swiftly after Bolton’s interview with Spanish newspaper El País circulated on Sunday, reigniting debate over bilateral security cooperation. Bolton claimed Mulino, early in his term, invited American forces to help stem mass migration through the dense jungle separating Colombia and Panama. Mulino fired back on X, dismissing the account as false and reckless. The Darién border was closed, he insisted, through Panama’s own efforts without ever requesting…

Panama’s consumer protection authority logged 2,234 formal complaints nationwide between January and August 2026, with real estate companies drawing the highest number of grievances as total claimed amounts reached $22,736,733.81. The Authority for Consumer Protection and Defense of Competition (Acodeco) confirmed that warranty breaches accounted for nearly four in ten cases filed during the eight-month period. Property developers and real estate firms generated 280 complaints, outpacing department stores with 263 and auto dealerships with 222. Electronics and appliance retailers followed with 194 cases, while used car sales rounded out the top five with 107 complaints, according to data from the…

A fire broke out aboard the Panama-flagged tanker El Gaia following an impact to its engine room while transiting the Strait of Hormuz incident zone on Tuesday, leaving two crew members unaccounted for, according to the Panama Maritime Authority (AMP). The vessel was navigating north of Oman’s Musandam Peninsula when the incident occurred on September 15. Of the 25 crew members on board, 23 were evacuated safely. Search operations continue for the two missing seafarers. Iranian forces have distanced themselves from the attack, stating that the vessel was not attacked, but rather impacted marine mines while crossing an illegal route.…

Panama’s long-awaited Panama sex offender registry will become publicly accessible through the Panamá Conecta digital platform by late November 2026, according to Adolfo Fábrega, director of the Government Innovation Authority (AIG). The announcement marks a significant step forward for public safety and transparency in the country. The technological infrastructure is already built and currently in internal use by the Judicial Investigation Directorate (DIJ), which is responsible for populating the database before it opens to citizens. Fábrega confirmed that the system aligns with existing legislation requiring the list to be public. Panama Sex Offender Registry Implementation Timeline Fábrega provided a clear…

Government officials, business leaders and retiree advocates met Tuesday at the Palacio de Las Garzas to examine the viability of Bill 226, a legislative proposal central to the ongoing Panama pension reform debate. The session marked the second coordination meeting aimed at resolving disputes over discount schemes for the country’s retirees. The gathering followed President José Raúl Mulino’s September 9 directive to find a solution that protects vulnerable pensioners while shielding micro and small businesses from financial strain. Participants reviewed adjustments to existing discount structures, particularly those tied to tourism and hospitality services that critics say fail to benefit the…

Driving at night in Panama City is already complicated, but navigating the roads will become even worse now due to these upcoming partial lane closures. Geotechnical drilling tied to the Cuarto Puente construction will force partial lane closures on the Pan-American Highway starting Wednesday, September 16, according to Panama’s Ministry of Public Works (MOP). The overnight work runs through Monday, September 21, from 9:00 p.m. to 4:00 a.m. daily. The affected stretch sits in the westbound lanes heading toward Panama City, specifically between the Puma station and the access road to the Bridge of the Americas in Ancón. Traffic authorities…

Panamanian authorities carried out a criminal organization expulsion on Tuesday, September 15, removing a Venezuelan citizen with alleged ties to the Tren de Aragua terrorist group. The National Migration Service confirmed the man was placed on a commercial flight to Venezuela under police custody after investigators determined he had evaded immigration checkpoints upon entering the country. The deportation coincided with a separate operation in Penonomé, Coclé province, where agents detained another foreign national who admitted to running an informal lending scheme known as “gota a gota.” Both actions reflect a widening enforcement push against foreign nationals engaged in activities outside…

Eighteen people were pulled from the water Monday after a catamaran shipwreck Panama authorities say occurred between Taboga and Taboguilla islands. The National Aeronaval Service, known as Senan, coordinated the rescue through its Regional Aeronaval Operations Center, deploying specialized personnel and naval assets to the scene. All 18 occupants survived the sinking and were transported to a safe port for medical evaluation. Paramedics from Senan, the Unified Prehospital Emergency Management System (SUME), and the Ministry of Health provided immediate attention upon arrival. Officials credited life jacket use as the decisive factor preventing fatalities during the emergency. Catamaran Shipwreck Panama Rescue…