Author: Michael Meuret

Panama’s National Aeronaval Service (SENAN) intercepted a major drug shipment off the country’s Pacific coast this Sunday. The maritime interdiction operation resulted in the seizure of 1,311 packages of narcotics and the detention of two suspects near Puerto Escondido in Veraguas Province.Officials reported that three high-speed boats were also confiscated during the mission. Authorities recovered one rifle from the abandoned vessels. The operation unfolded during a routine patrol when crews spotted three vessels clustered together and conducting suspicious cargo transfer maneuvers.Chase Leads to Coastal CaptureThe crews of the detected boats fled in different directions upon noticing the naval presence. During…

Panamanian food exporters are actively seeking access to 21 international markets through 52 separate regulatory processes. This push for market diversification comes as a longstanding trade conflict with neighboring Costa Rica continues to block key agricultural exports. The Panamanian Food Safety Authority (APA) is managing the requests for meat, dairy, seafood, and poultry products.At least eight Panamanian plants remain blocked from exporting to Costa Rica. Panama has reciprocated by restricting entry for 26 Costa Rican facilities, primarily affecting meat and dairy goods. This bilateral dispute, which intensified between 2019 and 2020, has forced local companies to urgently find alternative destinations…

Paola Reyes Corró, a Panamanian chef and entrepreneur, has published the country’s first major cookbook dedicated to underutilized native ingredients. The book, titled “Otra Especia” features 103 original recipes developed from her years of research into Panama’s rich biodiversity. Reyes Corró launched the project from her Instagram account during the Covid 19 pandemic, transforming a personal passion into a full-fledged brand that includes a restaurant and now a national culinary guide. The 215-page volume is the culmination of a journey that began with informal cooking tips shared online. It represents a formal effort to document and promote Panama’s diverse, often…

Panama is showcasing its premium Geisha coffee and a unique tourism experience at the International Tourism Fair of Madrid (Fitur) this week. For the first time, the country is presenting “La Cosecha,” a gastronomic and tourism event centered on the world’s most valuable coffee variety. The fair runs from January 18 to 22 in the Spanish capital.The promotional effort aims to attract international travelers to the highland region of Chiriquí. Organizers are officially launching their 2026 tour packages during the event. This year’s La Cosecha experience is scheduled for August 13 to 16 in the town of Boquete, Chiriquí.A Platform…

The Panama Fire Department has responded to 94 vegetation fires across the country since the start of the new year. Officials directly link the surge in emergencies to the onset of the annual dry season, warning of heightened risks to communities, the environment, and first responders.This alarming figure averages nearly six fires per day during the period from January 1 to January 16. The national fire service is now urging extreme public caution, emphasizing that many of these blazes are preventable. Dry conditions create a landscape where even a small spark can rapidly escalate into a major conflagration.Human Actions Blamed…

Panama’s National Authority of Public Services has raised the country’s cap on solar self-consumption. The regulatory body increased the limit from 4 percent to 5 percent of total electricity demand this week. This decision provides immediate relief for the fast-growing solar installation sector, which was rapidly approaching the previous ceiling. The change was formalized through Executive Decree 21,235 and also increases the total solar energy participation cap in the national grid from 13 percent to 16 percent.Official data indicates Panama now has over 7,000 solar self-consumption systems connected to the national grid. These installations span residences, businesses, and industrial operations…

The Institute of Agricultural Marketing (IMA) will host its popular agricultural fairs this Tuesday, January 20. These events are scheduled simultaneously across multiple provinces of Panama to provide affordable food directly to consumers.Officials from the state-run marketing institute confirmed the nationwide schedule. The initiative represents a continued effort to combat high food prices by selling staple goods at reduced costs directly from producers.Affordable Staples for FamiliesShoppers can expect to find a wide variety of essential goods. The product list includes rice, beans, pasta, cooking oil, salt, bread, sugar, grains, vegetables, eggs, tortillas, chicken, plantains, meat products, apples, and other fruits.All…

Panamanian companies have until January 26, 2026, to apply for the National Business Innovation Award 2025. The Chamber of Commerce, Industries and Agriculture of Panama is organizing the competition to recognize firms transforming their processes, products, or services for greater economic and social impact.Now in its nineteenth year, the award program is open to businesses of all sizes and sectors. It is jointly developed with the National Secretariat of Science, Technology and Innovation (Panama) (SENACYT). Organizers stress that innovation is not exclusive to large corporations but is a practical tool for any business aiming to improve.”In Panama, innovating does not…

A new regional risk assessment places Panama among Latin America’s top democracies but warns of significant pressures from organized crime, high public debt, and a tense geopolitical climate. The “Political Risk Latin America 2026” report, published Wednesday by the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile’s Center for International Studies (Ceiuc), highlights the country’s structural vulnerabilities. These challenges come despite Panama securing the fifth-highest democratic ranking in the region.The report cites the annual Democracy Index (The Economist Intelligence Unit), where Panama ranks 47th globally. Its score of 6.84 categorizes it as a “flawed democracy,” a group characterized by competitive elections and political…

A major legislative push to mandate ethanol in Panama’s gasoline supply has sparked debate over transparency and potential conflicts of interest. The discussion unfolded during a public forum at the National Assembly of Panama on Thursday, January 15. Lawmakers examined Bill 443, which would require all gasoline sold in the country to contain a 10 percent blend of anhydrous bioethanol.The forum, organized by the Assembly’s Commerce and Economic Affairs Commission, brought together government energy specialists, industry representatives, and academics. While most speakers touted the environmental and economic benefits of biofuels, the session revealed that one of the four companies poised…