Author: Michael Meuret

The price tag alone catches attention. Between $5,000 and $50,000 for injections that promise to reverse spinal cord injuries, calm autoimmune flare-ups, or turn back the clock on aging. Panama’s Ministry of Health has now opened formal investigations into establishments offering stem cell treatments after years of warnings from the country’s National Bioethics Research Committee. Health authorities confirmed they inspected two facilities and opened administrative files after detecting possible sanitary violations, including missing operating permits, documentation gaps, and products lacking sanitary registration. The inspections mark a significant escalation in a regulatory battle that has simmered for nearly a decade, as…

Roughly 5,000 properties across Panama operate under the country’s horizontal property framework, a legal regime that governs everything from high-rise residential towers to sprawling shopping complexes. A bill now moving through the National Assembly could reshape how Panama condo fees work for many of those properties, potentially upending a system that has long tied monthly payments to the size of each unit. The measure, known as Anteproyecto de Ley 112 de 2026, cleared its first legislative hurdle this week when the Infrastructure and Canal Affairs Commission voted unanimously to advance it. Nine deputies cast votes in favor, with none opposed…

A 12-year-old student was struck by a stray bullet during a shooting outside a school in Panama’s San Miguelito District on Monday. The incident happened in front of the Gabriel Lewis Galindo General Basic Education Center in the Rufina Alfaro township. Police arrested a 16-year-old suspect and recovered a firearm at the scene.The shooting occurred around midday on April 27, 2026. A gunman fired multiple shots at a silver-gray vehicle near the school entrance. The 12-year-old victim was not a student at that school. He was walking through the area when the bullets flew. Officials said he is now receiving…

Panama City, Panama – Panama has significantly strengthened its scientific and technological capacity in recent years. The country has created new research centers, advanced training programs, and increased its number of active investigators. But this growth now faces serious challenges including talent retention, salary disparities between institutions, and fierce competition for highly qualified personnel.The situation came into sharp focus during a recent session of the National Assembly’s Commission on Health, Labor and Social Development. Officials presented the 2025 annual report of the Gorgas Memorial Institute for Health Studies, known locally as Icges. Its director, Nicanor III Obaldía, warned that some…

Panama stands among the fastest-growing economies in Central America this year. The Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) released new projections on Monday showing Panama’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) will expand by 4 percent in 2026.That rate exceeds the 3.7 percent estimate from December 2025. The regional body, known as La Cepal in Spanish, calculates the average growth for all of Latin America and the Caribbean at just 2.2 percent. Only seven of 33 countries in the region will see accelerating growth this year. The other 24 face a slowdown.Panama Outpaces Regional Average Despite Global RisksNicaragua leads…

The deaths of two students in less than a week have reignited urgent calls to address dangerous school routes in Panama’s remote indigenous territories. These recent tragedies in the Ngäbe-Buglé Comarca highlight a systemic failure to provide safe infrastructure for children crossing rivers to reach education. Community leaders and advocacy groups argue these are not isolated accidents but predictable consequences of state neglect. Sergio Ábrego, a 15-year-old from the Kankintú district, died after being swept away by currents in a difficult crossing zone. The student was caught in the confluence of the Conejo and Frijol streams. Their waters carried him…

The Panama Institute of Meteorology and Hydrology forecasts a delayed start to the 2026 rainy season across much of the country. Officials announced this week that the seasonal transition could be two to three weeks later than the typical mid-April to early May onset.This delay means a prolonged dry period for key agricultural and metropolitan regions. The institute’s climatology department released a detailed regional schedule showing the gradual progression of rains from late April into early June.Technical Criteria Define Seasonal ShiftMeteorologists emphasize that isolated showers do not mark the official start of the wet season. They rely on specific technical…

Panama’s Ministry of Environment has ordered an immediate halt to a high-rise construction project in Panama City’s Marbella district as reported on here. The agency imposed a $10,000 fine on the developer, The Panoramic Residences Corp., for illegally discharging sediment-laden water into the Matasnillo River. This enforcement action followed a citizen complaint and subsequent inspection this week. Inspectors confirmed the existence of a clandestine connection to the stormwater system. This illegal pipe was discharging water contaminated with concrete-like sediments directly into the river, a clear violation of the project’s approved environmental permit. The project, known as Moderna 360 Urban Living,…

Opening a bank account in Panama is a critical step for new residents, but the process can vary from simple to surprisingly complex. Success hinges on understanding the country’s strict regulatory environment and preparing a flawless application. Legal professionals specializing in relocation warn that inadequate preparation is the primary reason for delays and rejections. Panama hosts over 80 banks, positioning itself as a significant financial hub. This very status requires institutions to enforce rigorous international compliance standards. The system places a heavy emphasis on verifying a client’s global identity and the legitimate source of their funds. Applicants must approach the…

Residents holding a Panama Pensionado Visa can claim a 25 percent discount on airline tickets, a major but often misunderstood benefit. The discount applies to flights originating in Panama, though its calculation and enforcement have seen significant updates this year. Understanding the specific rules is now more critical than ever for retirees living in the country.The benefit stems from Law 6 of 1987, which grants a suite of discounts to qualified retirees. While the airfare discount is substantial, it does not apply to the total ticket price a consumer sees on most travel websites. Instead, it is calculated only on…