Author: Editorial Team

Panama City is hosting the second Latin America and Caribbean International Economic Forum this week, drawing regional presidents and global business leaders. The event, organized by the Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean (CAF) in partnership with Panama, aims to become a premier platform for regional dialogue. It commenced on Wednesday with a focus on economic integration and navigating a complex global landscape.Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino opened the gathering. Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva is scheduled to deliver a keynote address, underscoring the forum’s high-level political engagement. The attendance list includes the presidents of Bolivia…

The Cunard Line flagship Queen Mary 2 made its inaugural transit of the Panama Canal on January 24 and 25, 2026. This historic passage marked the first time an operational ocean liner has traversed the waterway using the larger Neopanamax locks.Officials from the Panama Canal Authority (ACP) confirmed the transit occurred as part of the vessel’s 2026 World Voyage. The operation began on the Pacific side, with the ship spending a night in the Cocoli area before proceeding under the Bridge of the Americas.A Milestone for Maritime and Cruise IndustriesThis event represents a significant moment for global shipping and tourism.…

The Archdiocese of Panama has initiated a comprehensive, independent investigation into its handling of child and vulnerable person abuse cases spanning a 25-year period. Church officials announced the formation of a special Transparency Commission on January 28, 2026, a move aimed at scrutinizing institutional responses from 2001 through the present. This external review represents a significant step in the church’s stated policy of zero tolerance and transparency regarding abuse allegations.The commission will conduct a holistic assessment, examining past cases through legal, clinical, psychological, sociocultural, and pastoral lenses. Its mandate is to identify strengths, weaknesses, and critical opportunities for improving how…

A Canadian man accused of impersonating a pilot to obtain hundreds of free flights has been extradited from Panama to the United States. Dallas Pokornik, 33, was handed over to U.S. authorities on January 15 following his arrest at Panama City’s Tocumen International Airport last December.Federal prosecutors allege Pokornik deceived four major airlines over a four-year period, securing free travel through a well-practiced deception. His capture came after an international manhunt triggered by a warrant from a U.S. District Court in Hawaii.International Arrest Follows Years of Alleged DeceptionCourt documents show the scheme operated from January 2020 through October 2024. Pokornik…

The president of the Colón Chamber of Commerce, María Eugenia Ramos Ramos, is facing formal criminal charges. The Public Prosecutor’s Office requested the charges during a hearing on Tuesday, January 27. Prosecutors allege she issued a check without sufficient funds.Ramos was apprehended on Monday, January 26, following an investigation. The Judicial Investigation Directorate had requested her presence since January 21. She spent the night at a DIJ facility in Colón, Panama before being transferred for her hearing.Prosecution Details Alleged Economic CrimesThe hearing before a guarantee judge began at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday. Prosecutors from the Specialized Prosecutor’s Office Against Collective…

More than thirty patients with rheumatoid arthritis have experienced early relapses and a lack of clinical response after receiving the biosimilar drug Rixathon in Panama’s Social Security Fund hospitals. The Rheumatoid Arthritis Foundation of Panama raised the alarm this week, stating that medical reports detailing these therapeutic failures have been formally submitted to the institution’s pharmacovigilance system.The concerns originate from documentation compiled by the Rheumatology Service at the Dr. Arnulfo Arias Madrid Hospital Complex. Specialists there recorded cases of therapeutic inefficacy as early as the fourth month after administration. This timing is notably premature, as standard clinical protocols for this…

Panama’s Expat-tations Group is redefining the international relocation process by merging legal, real estate, and information management services into a single, technology-driven ecosystem. The company’s proprietary software platform, developed in-house, tackles the bureaucratic and logistical hurdles that typically slow down moves to the Central American nation. This integrated approach aims to transform a traditionally fragmented experience into a seamless gateway for investors, retirees, and professionals. The model consolidates three core divisions under one corporate umbrella. These include a specialized law firm, a curated real estate brokerage, and a central information and  management team overseeing client onboarding and long-term support. By…

Panamanian authorities arrested eight individuals this week for allegedly running a sophisticated car theft and digital fraud operation. The National Police of Panama, working with prosecutors, executed the raids across four districts of Panama City as part of “Operation Fraudcar.”Investigators say the criminal groups targeted rental car companies. They would rent vehicles using legitimate contracts, then forge ownership documents to sell the cars to unsuspecting buyers on popular online marketplaces. The scheme inflicted an estimated $100,000 in losses on both businesses and private citizens.Coordinated Raids Across the CapitalPolice units carried out simultaneous search warrants in the districts of Pedregal, Tocumen,…

Panama’s economic progress is being held back by a persistent deficit in job quality and workforce skills, a new World Bank analysis concludes. The report, released this week, argues that despite strong growth, these factors are slowing the reduction of poverty and inequality in the country.Panama’s position on the global Human Capital Index has stagnated for ten years. This leaves the nation as one of the world’s most unequal for its income level. A child born in Panama today is projected to reach only half of their potential future productivity, a gap representing a massive 50 percent loss in future…

Official statistics show a sharp rebound in maritime traffic through the Panama Canal. The vital waterway recorded 3,107 total transits from October through December 2025, a significant increase compared to the same period last year.This data, released by the Panama Canal Authority (ACP), covers the first quarter of fiscal year 2026. The figures point to a sustained recovery following previous operational restrictions imposed due to water scarcity. The daily average for high-draft vessel transits reached 34.6 during this three-month span.Boris Moreno Vásquez, the ACP’s Vice President of Operations, signed the monthly report detailing this growth. He connected the positive results…