Author: Michael Meuret

Expatriates in Panama often suspect they pay inflated “Gringo Tax” prices for legal work. Official documents show a different reality. The country’s Official Minimum Professional Fee Tariff sets mandatory minimum prices for all legal services, from visas to property purchases. This binding framework, enforced by the Panama Supreme Court, aims to standardize costs and protect professional integrity. The current tariff was established by Supreme Court Agreement No. 609-A in June 2021. It provides a detailed price floor that attorneys cannot legally undercut. For foreigners navigating residency or real estate transactions, this schedule offers predictable cost expectations. The system is designed…

The Ministry of Education in Panama referred 300 cases of violence, sexual abuse, and adolescent pregnancies to the nation’s Public Ministry in 2025. These incidents were all detected within the country’s school system, according to official data released this week. The cases highlight a persistent national crisis where adults are frequently implicated.Verushka Ordás, a psychologist and the national director of Psychoeducational Services for the ministry, confirmed the figures. She explained that the referrals followed psychosocial interventions in more than 415 schools. These situations, she stated, transcend academic issues and reflect deep social problems that directly impact the teaching and learning…

A proposed change to Panama’s electoral code is generating significant controversy and accusations of political suppression. The amendment would restrict how independent candidates can campaign together, a move critics call a direct attack on rising citizen political power. This legislative effort follows the historic success of non-partisan candidates in the most recent national elections.The proposal specifically targets Article 424 of the Electoral Code. It seeks to mandate that voting for candidates running via “free nomination” must be strictly individual. This would eliminate the possibility for these independent candidates to form associated lists or for voters to select more than one…

Panama’s Urban and Household Waste Authority (AAUD) has been using private companies to collect garbage in the San Miguelito District for weeks without the legally required approval from the nation’s comptroller. AAUD Administrator Ovil Moreno disclosed the situation during a tense legislative hearing on January 29, 2026, defending the move as a necessary emergency action to protect public health.Moreno appeared before the National Assembly’s Commission on Work, Health, and Social Development to answer 26 questions on waste management. He confirmed that multiple private firms are operating in San Miguelito without the formal endorsement, known as a refrendo, from the Office…

The Mayor’s Office of Panama has published bidding documents for a major urban renewal project along Avenida Nicanor de Obarrio, commonly known as Calle 50. Officials set a reference budget of $8 million for the study, design, and construction of improvements to this critical financial corridor in the heart of Panama City.The project will focus on a 1.7-kilometer stretch between Avenida Federico Boyd and Via Brasil within the Bella Vista district. This area functions as a primary artery for the metropolitan region, supporting intense commercial, financial, and pedestrian activity. The initiative directly targets longstanding public space and mobility deficiencies that…

Foreign nationals seeking legal help in Panama operate within a strictly regulated pricing system. The country’s National Bar Association of Panama enforces a mandatory Official Fee Schedule for legal services, dismantling the common expat fear of an arbitrary “Gringo Tax.” This framework legally binds all practicing attorneys to set minimum fees, aiming to standardize costs and maintain professional integrity. For expats navigating residency ( immigration ), real estate, or business formation, understanding this tariff is crucial. The schedule prevents attorneys from charging wildly different amounts for the same service. It transforms legal fee discussions from open negotiation into a matter…

Panamanian President Jose Raul Mulino met with executives from 22 major multinational corporations this week. The business leaders expressed strong interest in expanding operations and finalizing new investments in the Central American nation. The meeting occurred as Panama hosts a major regional economic forum, positioning the country as a hub for international business.Executives from companies including Pfizer, Google, PepsiCo, Coca-Cola, AES Corporation, Siemens, and Cisco Systems attended the gathering. These executives are members of the Americas Society Council of the Americas (AS/COA), a leading international business organization based in New York. The meeting was timed with the International Economic Forum…

Residents across Panama and San Miguelito districts must prepare for an 18-hour water service suspension this Saturday. The National Institute of Aqueducts and Sewers (IDANN) announced the planned outage for critical maintenance at the Federico Guardia Conte water treatment facility in Chilibre.Service will halt from 5:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 31, until 11:30 p.m. that evening. Officials stated the work is essential for long-term system reliability and involves connecting new infrastructure. The agency urged the public to store sufficient water for domestic needs during the interruption period.Major Infrastructure Upgrade Drives ShutdownIDANN Director Rutilio Villarreal explained the primary task involves integrating…

Rebeca Grynspan, Secretary-General of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, issued a stark warning about the global economy during a major regional forum in Panama City. Speaking at the 2026 Latin America and Caribbean International Economic Forum, she described a world at a crossroads defined by anxiety and accelerating geopolitical shifts.The event was organized by the CAF – Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean. Grynspan argued that international dialogue has transformed from a mere formality into a strategic necessity. This change comes amid rising tariff pressures and a noticeable increase in global Protectionism.Resilience Amidst Rising ProtectionismDespite…

Panama’s top Catholic leader has issued a public plea for a national recommitment to human values. Archbishop José Domingo Ulloa Mendieta spoke out this week following a series of violent incidents that have shaken the country. His statement directly addresses a recent attempted Femicide and rising homicide statistics.The call comes amid growing public concern over crime. A brutal attack in western Panama on January 24 intensified the national conversation. In that incident, a 25-year-old man stabbed his mother and attempted to set their home on fire with her inside. The victim suffered burns over 20 percent of her body and…