Author: Michael Meuret

Panama’s ambassador to the United Nations demanded the release of all political prisoners in Venezuela on Monday. Eloy Alfaro de Alba also forcefully reiterated that his government does not recognize Delcy Rodríguez as the nation’s president following the capture of Nicolás Maduro by United States authorities.The statement came during a critical session of the UN Security Council focused on the Venezuelan crisis. Ambassador Alfaro de Alba specifically highlighted the detention of a Panamanian citizen, Olmedo Javier Núñez Peñalba, calling for his immediate and unconditional freedom.”It is indispensable to demand the unconditional release of people detained for political reasons,” Eloy Alfaro…

Venezuelan citizens living in Panama gathered in Panama City on Saturday to celebrate the reported capture of their nation’s leader by United States forces. The demonstration took place at Parque Urracá, where a crowd waved flags and expressed hope for political change in their home country. The event followed early morning reports that Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife had been detained.Participants carried both Venezuelan and American flags throughout the afternoon rally. They chanted slogans and embraced one another, marking a spontaneous response to the unfolding international news. The gathering remained peaceful, focused on expressions of relief and anticipation…

The government of Panama issued a formal demand this Saturday for a democratic transition in Venezuela. The statement followed the confirmed capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro by United States authorities. Panama’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs insisted that power must be transferred according to the popular will expressed in the July 2024 presidential election.Official results from that vote showed opposition candidate Edmundo González Urrutia as the clear winner. The Panamanian government explicitly endorsed those results in its weekend communique. It also revealed it holds physical custody of the electoral records that substantiate González Urrutia’s victory.Official Statement and Custody of Electoral…

The Government of Panama confirmed it holds physical custody of the original vote tally sheets from Venezuela’s contested 2024 presidential election. This revelation gains critical importance after United States forces captured former Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro in Caracas on January 3, 2026. Panama has safeguarded the documents in a vault at the National Bank of Panama since a formal handover ceremony in January 2025.Panamanian Foreign Minister Javier Martínez-Acha first announced the custodial arrangement during a public event titled “Act of Vindication of Democracy in Venezuela and America.” The documents are copies collected by the political coalition backing opposition candidate Edmundo…

Panama’s stock market recorded a significant 23 percent increase in transaction volume through October 2025, even as the nation’s top financial regulator announced plans to modernize its framework and establish rules for digital assets. Superintendent of the Securities Market, Maruquel Murgas, confirmed the market’s robust performance and outlined dual regulatory priorities in a recent year-end review. The moves aim to bolster Panama’s position as a regional financial hub while addressing emerging risks in the unregulated cryptocurrency space.Transaction volume handled by securities houses reached $146.66 billion between January and October 2025. New issuances during that period totaled $1.605 billion, with another…

Panama may have lost approximately 45 billion dollars to corruption since its return to democracy, a leading legislator stated this week. Deputy Roberto Zuniga of the independent Vamos bloc made the staggering claim during a January 2 interview as the new session of the National Assembly of Panama convened.Zuniga based his calculation on a widely cited international estimate. He said that roughly five percent of the state budget disappears each year due to corrupt practices. The figure covers the entire period from 1989 through the present day, highlighting a persistent national issue.”It is nearly 45 billion dollars lost to corruption…

Panama’s Minister of Commerce and Industries, Julio Molto, confirmed that Chiquita Panama LLC will restart banana exports this January. The move finalizes the reactivation of up to 5,000 jobs in the Bocas del Toro Province, stabilizing a regional economy hit hard by sectoral crisis.During a television interview, Molto stated that 3,000 jobs have already been recovered in an initial phase. The imminent export operations are set to generate an additional 2,000 positions, completing the promised employment revival. Officials report that packing plants are already wrapping fruit in preparation for shipment.”Plants are already wrapping the fruit and are ready to export.…

Panama’s banking sector demonstrated robust health at the close of November 2025, driven by strong consumer, commercial, and mortgage lending. The nation’s International Banking Center held $115.132 billion in deposits, according to the latest official data. This performance underscores a financial system prioritizing dynamic domestic demand sectors while navigating a shifting economic landscape.The monthly activity report from Panama’s banking regulator detailed a 5.9 percent annual growth in the net loan portfolio, which reached $100.579 billion. New loan disbursements from January through November 2025 totaled $24.025 billion, marking a 5.1 percent increase over the same period in 2024. External deposits surged…

Panama’s government will introduce specific legal changes demanding foreign companies prove they have real operations inside the country. Economy and Finance Minister Felipe Chapman announced the plan on January 2, 2026, framing it as a critical step to get Panama removed from the European Union’s list of non-cooperative tax jurisdictions. The initiative focuses on adopting international standards for economic substance without raising taxes on local businesses.Chapman clarified the proposal is not a broad tax reform. It targets multinational groups and international firms using Panamanian legal entities. These entities must now demonstrate physical offices, hired personnel, and operational expenses within national…

Panama enters 2026 with its economy growing faster than most of its neighbors, but economists warn the nation must urgently tackle deep structural challenges. The coming year’s success hinges on translating that growth into formal jobs, higher tax revenue, and sustainable public finances, all while navigating a complex global landscape. Execution of major projects, institutional transparency, and maintaining investor confidence will be decisive factors, according to multiple financial analysts. Official data from the Panama Ministry of Economy and Finance shows the nation’s total public debt stock reached $58.9046 billion as of recent reports. This figure represents a slight increase of…