Author: michaelm

Business leaders in Panama’s Chiriquí Province are betting on major infrastructure projects to drive economic growth and job creation in the country’s western region. This optimism was the central theme at the “Visión Chiriquí 2026” forum held in David this week, where projects like the $250 million Puerto Barú and a proposed Panama-Paso Canoas train were highlighted as transformative investments.The forum, organized by La Prensa newspaper, brought together key private sector figures to discuss the future of a province historically known as Panama’s breadbasket. Participants argued that strategic location and new logistics corridors could diversify the local economy beyond agriculture,…

Panamanian President Jose Raul Mulino secured significant investment interest from three corporate giants during meetings at the World Economic Forum in Davos this week. Executives from Citi, Maersk, and AES Corporation each expressed concrete plans to expand their financial, maritime, and energy operations in the Central American nation. The discussions, held on Tuesday, January 20, focused on funding for Panama’s largest infrastructure projects.The presidential delegation presented a portfolio of strategic national initiatives. These projects included the Panama-David train, an electrical interconnection with Colombia, and new Panama Canal investments like the Rio Indio reservoir. Two new mega-port terminals and a gas…

Panama’s Ministry of Health (Minsa) has confirmed eight deaths from influenza during the first week of 2026. The fatalities occurred between January 4 and 10, prompting health officials to issue a public alert about rising cases.The deaths were recorded across multiple regions including Panama Metro, the Ngäbe Buglé Comarca, Chiriquí, Bocas del Toro, Coclé, and San Miguelito. A significant majority of the victims, 75 percent, were adults over the age of 60. Two of the deceased were children under five years old.Vaccination Status and Comorbidities Highlighted in Fatal CasesHealth data reveals a stark correlation between the fatalities and vaccination status.…

A critical seasonal ocean event that has sustained Panama’s Pacific coast for generations failed dramatically in early 2025. For the first time in at least four decades of recorded data, the annual upwelling in the Gulf of Panama did not occur, leaving fisheries depleted and coral reefs vulnerable. A new study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences links the collapse to altered wind patterns, delivering a stark warning about climate disruption in tropical seas.The Gulf of Panama has historically relied on a predictable cycle. From December through April, strong northerly trade winds push warm surface water…

Panama’s consumer protection agency recovered nearly a quarter of a million dollars for travelers last year. The Authority for Consumer Protection and Defense of Competition (Panama) resolved 81 formal complaints against hotels and vacation package providers in 2025.Consumers filed claims totaling $391,855, according to the agency’s annual data. Officials stated that a lack of clear information from companies caused the majority of the financial losses.Thirty-two complaints, representing over $253,000 in claims, cited insufficient or misleading information. Other major grievances involved unfair contract terms and failures to deliver promised services. The agency’s statistics section confirmed a long-term trend, with over 2,150…

Panama’s National Aeronaval Service (SENAN) intercepted a major drug shipment off the country’s Pacific coast this Sunday. The maritime interdiction operation resulted in the seizure of 1,311 packages of narcotics and the detention of two suspects near Puerto Escondido in Veraguas Province.Officials reported that three high-speed boats were also confiscated during the mission. Authorities recovered one rifle from the abandoned vessels. The operation unfolded during a routine patrol when crews spotted three vessels clustered together and conducting suspicious cargo transfer maneuvers.Chase Leads to Coastal CaptureThe crews of the detected boats fled in different directions upon noticing the naval presence. During…

Panamanian food exporters are actively seeking access to 21 international markets through 52 separate regulatory processes. This push for market diversification comes as a longstanding trade conflict with neighboring Costa Rica continues to block key agricultural exports. The Panamanian Food Safety Authority (APA) is managing the requests for meat, dairy, seafood, and poultry products.At least eight Panamanian plants remain blocked from exporting to Costa Rica. Panama has reciprocated by restricting entry for 26 Costa Rican facilities, primarily affecting meat and dairy goods. This bilateral dispute, which intensified between 2019 and 2020, has forced local companies to urgently find alternative destinations…

Paola Reyes Corró, a Panamanian chef and entrepreneur, has published the country’s first major cookbook dedicated to underutilized native ingredients. The book, titled “Otra Especia” features 103 original recipes developed from her years of research into Panama’s rich biodiversity. Reyes Corró launched the project from her Instagram account during the Covid 19 pandemic, transforming a personal passion into a full-fledged brand that includes a restaurant and now a national culinary guide. The 215-page volume is the culmination of a journey that began with informal cooking tips shared online. It represents a formal effort to document and promote Panama’s diverse, often…

Panama is showcasing its premium Geisha coffee and a unique tourism experience at the International Tourism Fair of Madrid (Fitur) this week. For the first time, the country is presenting “La Cosecha,” a gastronomic and tourism event centered on the world’s most valuable coffee variety. The fair runs from January 18 to 22 in the Spanish capital.The promotional effort aims to attract international travelers to the highland region of Chiriquí. Organizers are officially launching their 2026 tour packages during the event. This year’s La Cosecha experience is scheduled for August 13 to 16 in the town of Boquete, Chiriquí.A Platform…

The Panama Fire Department has responded to 94 vegetation fires across the country since the start of the new year. Officials directly link the surge in emergencies to the onset of the annual dry season, warning of heightened risks to communities, the environment, and first responders.This alarming figure averages nearly six fires per day during the period from January 1 to January 16. The national fire service is now urging extreme public caution, emphasizing that many of these blazes are preventable. Dry conditions create a landscape where even a small spark can rapidly escalate into a major conflagration.Human Actions Blamed…