Author: Michael Meuret

Panama’s Environment Minister Juan Carlos Navarro issued a stark warning about a growing continental threat this week. He stated that illegal mining and deforestation, now largely funded by drug trafficking profits, pose a severe risk to the nation’s water and economic security. Navarro made these comments during his opening address at the 2026 International Economic Forum in Panama City on January 28, organized by the Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean.The minister framed environmental protection as an absolute prerequisite for genuine economic progress. He argued that the two concepts cannot be separated, dismissing the idea of development without…

Copa Airlines will execute a capital investment exceeding $500 million in 2026 as part of a major fleet expansion. The Panamanian carrier plans to add more than 33 new aircraft between 2025 and 2027, according to an exclusive interview with its CEO. Pedro Heilbron revealed the details during the International Economic Forum for Latin America and the Caribbean 2026 in Panama City.The investment supports a projected capacity growth of over 12 percent next year. This follows an 8 percent increase in 2025 achieved through the addition of 12 new planes. The airline expects to receive eight new aircraft this year…

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,…