Author: michaelm

British authorities arrested Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, the former Prince Andrew, at his home in Norfolk, England on Thursday. The arrest, part of an ongoing investigation into alleged misconduct in public office, has cast new scrutiny on his official overseas visits, including a 2010 trade mission to Panama. During that trip, he met with then-President Ricardo Martinelli and top business leaders while maintaining a close, and now infamous, private friendship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.Andrew visited Panama in February 2010 in his then-official capacity as the United Kingdom’s Special Representative for International Trade and Investment. His schedule included high-level government meetings…

Panama’s Supreme Court of Justice stands as the final arbiter of law and constitutionality in the nation. Its nine magistrates possess the unique authority to nullify laws passed by the legislature and decrees signed by the president, a power that places the judicial body at the center of the country’s political and economic life. For international investors and the resident expat community, understanding this court is critical for safeguarding assets and legal status.The court’s structure and function are defined by Panama’s Civil law (legal system). Unlike common law systems, Panama’s Supreme Court often serves as the first and final stop…

The Panama City Fish Market on Balboa Avenue opened for the Lent season with notably low customer turnout this Ash Wednesday. Vendors reported sluggish sales throughout the morning of February 18, 2026, a stark contrast to the traditionally busy start of the religious observance. Accessible pricing failed to draw the expected crowds, with merchants pointing to recent traffic pattern changes and extended carnival celebrations as potential causes.Official price lists from the Consumer Protection and Defense of Competition Authority (Panama) showed a wide range of affordable seafood options. Shoppers could find titi shrimp for $3.00 per pound, red shrimp at $5.00,…

Panama’s National Civil Protection System reported three drowning deaths during its Carnival 2026 safety operations. The fatalities occurred in separate coastal provinces over the holiday weekend, prompting renewed safety warnings from authorities.The agency, known as Sinaproc, confirmed the deaths as part of its “Guardianes 2026” safety initiative. Officials recorded nine successful water rescues alongside the tragic losses. The incidents underscore persistent risks at popular recreational sites during major holidays.In an official statement, Sinaproc linked the deaths to a lack of supervision and disregard for safety protocols. The agency’s data shows tens of thousands of people visited beaches and rivers during…

Panamanian President Jose Raul Mulino announced on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, that his government will continue barring European companies from public tenders. This decisive move is a direct response to the European Union’s decision to keep Panama on its list of non-cooperative tax jurisdictions. The ongoing diplomatic and economic standoff centers on international tax transparency standards.The EU’s latest review, confirmed the same day, maintained Panama’s position on its so-called “grey list.” This list identifies countries the bloc believes have insufficient tax governance. Fiji, Samoa, and Trinidad and Tobago were removed for making sufficient reforms, while Vietnam and Turks and Caicos…

Prospective residents of Panama should secure a qualified immigration attorney before collecting any paperwork, according to legal experts familiar with the process. This counterintuitive step is the single most important factor for a smooth application, they say, as it prevents costly document expirations and bureaucratic delays. The guidance comes as interest in Panama’s residency programs remains high among retirees, investors, and remote workers from North America and Europe.Panamanian law requires all residency applicants to have legal representation for their immigration filings. This makes the attorney the central architect of the entire application strategy, not just a final reviewer. A common…

Health officials in Panama have issued a strict warning against drinking tap water across the Azuero Peninsula as massive Carnival crowds begin to gather. The regional directive from the Ministry of Health (Panama) covers the provinces of Los Santos and Herrera, where festivities officially start this weekend. Authorities are awaiting critical laboratory results to determine if local water is safe for human consumption.This annual celebration typically draws tens of thousands of nationals and tourists to towns like Las Tablas and Chitré. The ongoing precaution highlights persistent challenges with agua potable infrastructure in the region. A preventive “Blue Health Alert” is…

Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino is drawing intense scrutiny for what critics call a blatant double standard in his administration’s approach to justice. While the president publicly denounces judicial leniency for common criminals, his own actions have repeatedly granted clemency to political allies and convicted financiers. This contradiction has sparked a fierce debate about corruption and the rule of law in the Central American nation.The controversy centers on Mulino’s frequent complaints about a “revolving door” in the judicial system, where suspects in serious crimes are quickly released by judges. He argues this practice endangers society and demoralizes police. Simultaneously, however,…

Panama is dangerously close to being classified as a non democratic regime, a leading transparency watchdog warned this week. The country’s stagnant corruption score now places it at a fragile political frontier, highlighting severe institutional decay despite its outward appearance of democratic function.The 2025 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI), published by Transparency International, awarded Panama just 33 points out of a possible 100. This score not only repeats last year’s result but also consolidates the nation’s worst historical performance since it joined the index in 2012. More critically, analysts say this low and stagnant score is a direct symptom of a…

The expedition cruise ship National Geographic Quest arrived at Panama’s Coiba National Park on Wednesday, February 12, 2026. It carried 87 international tourists who participated in low-impact ecotourism activities under strict environmental protocols. According to Panama’s Ministry of Environment (Panama), the visit was conducted with careful adherence to conservation rules for protected areas. The passengers, primarily from the United States with additional visitors from Costa Rica and France, engaged in guided tours of marine zones, beaches, and park trails. Activities were organized in small groups. This structure respected the area’s carrying capacity and aimed to minimize environmental impact. The ministry…