Author: michaelm

A large trailer truck hauling electronic goods burst into flames on Panama’s busy Centenario Highway Monday night. The dramatic fire caused major traffic delays for hours, though the two people on board escaped without injury.The incident occurred around 11:00 p.m. on December 15, 2025, on the highway section leading toward the district of Arraiján. Preliminary reports from authorities indicate mechanical failures likely sparked the blaze. Firefighters from multiple stations responded quickly to prevent the fire from spreading to other vehicles.The Panama Fire Department confirmed its crews managed to control the intense fire. Units from the Arraiján and La Chorrera stations…

A pioneering bone regeneration device developed by Panamanian scientist Guillermo Ameer has been successfully used in its first surgical procedure in the United States. The milestone marks a significant clinical translation for the synthetic bone graft substitute, which received regulatory clearance last year.The technology, named Citregraft, is a highly porous bioactive scaffold. It is designed to fill and integrate with irregular bone defects, stimulating the body’s own healing processes before being naturally absorbed.From Laboratory to Operating RoomCitregraft is composed of citrate-based polymers combined with bioactive glass, materials developed over two decades in Ameer’s laboratory. In its inaugural clinical application, surgeons…

A legislative commission in Panama has uncovered deep systemic failures within the state’s network of child protection shelters. The findings come after weeks of surprise inspections led by the National Assembly’s Commission for Women, Children, Youth, and Family.Commission president Alexandra Brenes revealed that while physical facilities were often adequate, the oversight and support system for vulnerable children is critically broken. Her team visited eight shelters across Chiriquí Province, Veraguas, Coclé, and Panama Oeste, discovering issues ranging from funding delays to judicial backlogs that leave children in legal limbo for years.The inspections faced immediate obstacles from the very agency tasked with…

Panamanian authorities are actively pursuing a series of high-profile investigations into former government officials for alleged unexplained wealth. The legal actions, centered on the crime of unjust enrichment, target figures from the previous Laurentino Cortizo administration (2019-2024). This coordinated effort involves the Office of the Comptroller General of the Republic (Panama) and the Public Ministry, signaling a renewed focus on public accountability.The legal framework for these probes is Law 59 of 1999, which specifically defines and regulates unjust enrichment within Panama’s administrative and penal codes. Unlike other corruption charges, this law does not require prosecutors to first prove a specific…

Panamanian security forces intercepted over three metric tons of cocaine concealed inside a shipping container at a port in Colón province. The National Aeronaval Service (Panama) and the National Police made the discovery during a routine inspection on December 14, 2025.Officials stated the narcotics were found stashed within a container that arrived from Ecuador. Its documented route included a planned transshipment in Belgium before a final destination in Sweden.Dual Port Seizures Highlight Transit Route PressureThis massive seizure was not an isolated event. Just one day prior, National Police agents located an additional 150 kilograms of cocaine in a separate container…

Panama’s economic activity grew 4.77 percent in October 2025 compared to the same month last year. The expansion was primarily driven by strong performance in the Panama Canal, national ports, and air transport, according to official data released this week.The National Institute of Statistics and Census (Panama) reported the figure through its Monthly Index of Economic Activity. While positive, the October growth rate was slower than the 8.36 percent surge recorded in October 2024. For the first ten months of the year, cumulative economic growth stands at 4.36 percent.Government analysts pointed to sustained momentum in key service sectors. “The country’s…

A new regional study reveals a significant drop in employee engagement across Panama’s workforce. The phenomenon of quiet quitting is gaining ground as more workers report feeling undervalued and disconnected from their companies.Job portal Konzerta conducted the “Silent Resignation” study, polling 1,705 workers across five Latin American countries including Panama. While 64% of Panamanian employees still claim to give their all at work, that positive perception fell by nine percentage points compared to 2024 data. Meanwhile, 28% now say they do only the bare minimum required, and 8% admit to doing less and less over time.Managers Urged to Reflect on…

Panamanian chef Mario Castrellón is launching a new cultural gastronomy project in Panama City’s historic district in early 2026. The initiative, named Callejón del Casco, aims to fuse traditional food with live folkloric performances, marking his latest effort to position Panama as a premier culinary destination. This move follows the sustained international recognition of his flagship restaurant, Maito, which recently ranked 18th on the Latin America’s 50 Best Restaurants list, a platform he first cracked nearly a decade ago.Castrellón’s work over the last ten years has fundamentally altered the country’s culinary landscape. His group now operates 14 restaurants across Panama,…

Panama’s public bus operator, MiBus, will run a continuous 24-hour service on key routes during the New Year’s holiday period. The announcement, made on December 12, 2025, addresses the surge in traffic and public demand for safe transit options as Panama City hosts numerous Christmas and New Year’s events. This special schedule aims to help residents return home safely after late-night festivities.Since early December, the capital has experienced significantly heavier traffic due to a packed calendar of seasonal activities. The increased congestion has amplified calls for reliable late-night public transportation. MiBus officials confirmed they are responding by maintaining round-the-clock operations…

Panama is failing to advance at the necessary pace to ensure an inclusive education for students with disabilities, according to a new regional report from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. The findings, released in the report “Towards an Education Without Barriers,” indicate that while legal frameworks exist, their implementation in classrooms remains inconsistent and insufficient for thousands of children and adolescents.The data comes from the Regional Educational Information System for Students with Disabilities (Siried 2024). It paints a picture of a country stuck in the middle of regional rankings, neither among the most lagging nations nor those…