Author: michaelm

The World Bank forecasts Panama’s economy will grow 4.1 percent in 2026, a rate that significantly outpaces the projected regional average. The international financial institution released its latest global economic outlook this week, highlighting Panama’s resilience amid broader Latin American challenges.This expansion will be driven primarily by the country’s robust service sectors, including finance, business, and logistics. Panama and neighboring Costa Rica benefit from a heavy reliance on service exports, a segment largely insulated from global tariff tensions and trade disputes. The report also notes that Foreign Direct Investment will continue playing a crucial role in financing the nation’s external…

Panama must navigate its growing economic ties with China with extreme caution to protect its sovereignty and strategic assets. That is the stark warning from Leland Lazarus, a former U.S. State Department official and expert on China-Latin America relations, who spoke to journalists in Panama City this week. Lazarus, who has Panamanian roots, argued that while trade diversification is positive, the relationship carries hidden dangers comparable to a “Trojan horse,” especially concerning the Panama Canal and critical infrastructure.He identified specific legal and geopolitical vulnerabilities stemming from Chinese corporate behavior and national laws. Lazarus pointed to port operations, major construction projects…

The Panama Maritime Authority has issued a fresh warning to vessels under its flag to avoid Ukrainian and Russian waters in the Black Sea. This urgent advisory follows a drone strike on a Panamanian-flagged tanker at the port of Chornomorsk, Ukraine, on January 13, 2026, which left one crew member injured.In an official statement, the maritime administration confirmed the attack occurred while the tanker was anchored. The injured crew member received immediate medical attention and remains in stable condition. This incident underscores the escalating dangers for commercial shipping in a region still gripped by conflict.The authority is now reiterating its…

The mayor of Arraijan is blocking a critical permit needed by the Panama Canal Authority to repair the only access road to the Cocoli Locks. Mayor Stefany Peñalba’s administration has not formally responded to the permit request filed in August 2025, stalling a project the Canal Authority calls vital for operational safety. This impasse reached a new level on Tuesday, January 13, when Peñalba missed her second consecutive Municipal Council session. Canal Authority representatives attended that meeting to reiterate their urgent concerns about the deteriorating Bruja-Cocoli road. They warned the council that the road’s current condition poses a direct risk…

A senior Panama health official has provided a detailed breakdown of the country’s medical training process, clarifying common public confusion while issuing a stark warning about a growing oversupply of general practitioners. Paulino Vigil De Gracia, the national director of Teaching and Research for the Caja de Seguro Social (CSS), explained the distinct stages from student to specialist in an exclusive interview. He simultaneously cautioned that the system is producing more doctors than it can effectively absorb, creating bottlenecks and employment challenges.The clarification comes amid ongoing public debate about healthcare quality, hospital overcrowding, and the roles of different medical professionals…

Panama’s insurance industry reported over $2.1 billion in written premiums for the 2025 fiscal year. Official data released this week shows significant growth across all major metrics, signaling robust market health and expanded coverage nationwide.The Superintendency of Insurance and Reinsurance of Panama confirmed the figures. They represent a 12.8 percent annual increase from the $1.867 billion recorded in 2024. A total of 22 active insurers in the national market supported this expansion.Superintendent Luis Enrique Bandera presented the annual report, emphasizing the sector’s critical role. He connected its strong performance directly to broader economic stability and support for productive activity throughout…

Panama’s Foreign Minister Javier Martínez-Acha stated this week that the United States could evaluate Panama for inclusion in its Visa Waiver Program. The announcement followed a high-level meeting between Martínez-Acha and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Washington on Tuesday, January 13. This potential development marks a significant step in bilateral relations and could ease travel for Panamanian citizens to the United States.Martínez-Acha clarified in an interview with the program Cuarto Poder that the discussion centered on a future possibility for analysis, not a finalized decision. The diplomatic dialogue lasted approximately 45 minutes and covered a broad agenda including…

For over a decade, the owners of Villa F&B have called the Bocas del Toro archipelago home. They describe the Panamanian province not just as a business location but as a refuge, a sanctuary for those seeking a life built on respect for nature and community. Their ten-year observation period has coincided with a profound regional evolution, watching the area grow from a backpacker secret into a sophisticated hub for eco-tourism and long-term expatriate living.  Villa F & B’s strategic position is fundamental to its identity. Nestled within a lush green setting, it sits at the convergence of tropical rainforest…

Residents in Panama’s Herrera and Los Santos provinces have now endured nearly eight months without being able to drink water from their taps. The national water authority, the Institute of National Aqueducts and Sewers (Idaan), suspended operations at key water purification plant facilities last May following severe rains that contaminated the La Villa and Estibaná rivers. While treatment has resumed under strict controls, the water distributed to homes still lacks official certification for human consumption.This prolonged public health advisory has forced a population of thousands to rely entirely on bottled water and water delivery trucks for their daily needs. Authorities…

Panama’s Ministry of Health has issued a public alert over a severe shortage in the national blood supply. Health officials confirmed this week that reserves have fallen below a critical 40 percent threshold, jeopardizing emergency medical care across the country. The crisis is most acute for universal O negative blood, a type essential for trauma cases.Yelkis Gill, the General Director of Public Health for the Ministry of Health (Panama), stated the low reserves directly compromise the healthcare system’s ability to respond to accidents, urgent surgeries, and unforeseen complications. The warning comes ahead of holidays and mass events, periods historically linked…