Author: michaelm

Thousands of property owners in Panama are paying more annual property tax than legally required. A widespread lack of awareness about available tax benefits means many fail to apply for exemptions they legally qualify for, according to tax experts and official documents. This gap in public knowledge results in inflated tax bills that do not reflect a property’s true legal or economic status.The system includes both automatic and special exemptions outlined in the Panamanian Tax Code. These provisions can drastically lower tax obligations for eligible residential, commercial, and agricultural properties. Despite this, a low level of tax culture and complex…

Panama’s Social Security Fund board has approved the construction of a new tower for the National Cancer Institute. The decision, confirmed on December 4, 2025, answers years of urgent calls from patient advocacy groups who describe the current overcrowded facilities as critically inadequate for the nation’s needs.Project plans detail a nine-story tower to be built behind the institute’s existing location within the City of Health complex. This expansion aims to centralize and significantly increase capacity for chemotherapy, outpatient clinics, and specialized laboratory services. Officials frame the approval as a pivotal step in modernizing Panama’s oncology care infrastructure.”This is a step…

Panama’s Ministry of Public Works received two formal bids on Wednesday for a major highway expansion project west of Panama City. The competing proposals aim to secure a contract valued at a quarter-billion dollars to widen a critical 20-kilometer stretch of the Pan-American Highway.This project, officially named the “Corredor de las Playas” expansion, targets the heavily congested route connecting Panama City to popular western beach communities. The Ministry of Public Works (Panama) opened the public tender with a reference price of $250 million. Officials declared the work a public interest priority earlier this year to improve safety and traffic flow.”The…

The Urban and Household Sanitation Authority has launched a special citywide waste collection drive. The operation responds to a seasonal surge in garbage that doubles daily tonnage during the Christmas period. Crews began work early this Wednesday morning, starting in the Carrasquilla sector and moving toward the historic Panamá Viejo district.Officials say the capital’s daily waste output jumps from roughly 1,500 tons to nearly 3,000 tons during the holidays. The special initiative will cover all 26 districts of Panama City. It focuses on collecting both regular household refuse and large, bulky items that residents often discard at year’s end.Workers Issue…

Panamanian Foreign Minister Javier Martínez-Acha reiterated his nation’s firm diplomatic stance on Venezuela this week. He confirmed Panama’s ongoing recognition of Edmundo González Urrutia as the legitimate winner of the 2024 presidential vote.The statements were made on Wednesday, December 3, during a public event in Panama City. Martínez-Acha emphasized Panama’s foundational commitment to democratic principles and the rule of law in the hemisphere.Custodian of Electoral EvidencePanama positioned itself as a key regional actor following last year’s contested poll. The country was among the first governments to formally acknowledge González Urrutia’s victory in the July 28 election. More concretely, Panamanian authorities…

Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino has launched scathing criticism against the nation’s banking sector, alleging that money stolen from the country through corruption flows freely through financial institutions. He made these statements during his weekly press conference on Thursday, November 13, 2025, highlighting a stark contrast between the strict controls on ordinary citizens and the apparent ease with which illicit funds move. The president’s remarks signal a potential confrontation with one of Panama’s most powerful economic sectors.Mulino specifically contrasted the banking experience of the average Panamanian with that of corrupt officials moving millions. He argued that while regular citizens face…

The board of directors for Tocumen International Airport has officially approved a major 12 million dollar modernization project for its passenger terminals. This initiative, a collaboration between the airport and Panama’s customs authority, aims to overhaul inspection areas and baggage systems to improve operational flow and security. The project is scheduled to commence in 2026, representing a significant investment in the nation’s primary aviation gateway.This comprehensive plan focuses on the strategic reorganization and technological upgrade of customs inspection zones within Terminal 1 and Terminal 2. Key components include relocating baggage conveyor belts, installing new inspection equipment, and physically adapting the…

Panamanian security forces are achieving historic successes against international drug trafficking while simultaneously failing to curb rising street crime. The nation has intercepted a record 52,000 packages of cocaine so far this year according to the National Aeronaval Service. Despite these high-profile maritime victories, official data shows homicides, robberies, and thefts continue to plague local communities. This stark contrast reveals a deep disconnect between Panama’s effectiveness against transnational crime and its struggles with domestic public safety.The Ministry of Public Security reported 438 homicidios occurred between January and September this year. While this figure represents a slight decrease from the 456…

The Supreme Court of Justice of Panama has definitively closed the legal debate surrounding a controversial pension deduction. In a ruling issued on September 9, 2025, the full court decided that a law requiring retirees to contribute 6.75 percent of their pensions to the social security system is constitutional. This decision solidifies a key funding mechanism for the nation’s public health and pension provider. The court’s unanimous verdict responds to a lawsuit filed by lawyer Martin Jesus Molina Rivera. He had petitioned the high court to declare the deduction unconstitutional, arguing it violated both domestic law and international labor standards.…

Social movements have fundamentally shaped Panama’s national identity and legislative framework for over a century. These collective actions, driven by trade unions, community organizations, and human rights groups, consistently respond to systemic inequality, corruption, and the defense of marginalized populations. The ongoing influence of these social movements faces new tests today amid rising inequality and environmental challenges. Analyst Noemí Aparicio documented the current state of these movements in a November 2025 assessment. She found their balancing role in society is now jeopardized by actions that challenge the status quo. The historical record, however, demonstrates an undeniable capacity for achieving concrete…