Author: Michael Meuret

Panama generated over 25 million dollars in direct investment from international film and television productions in 2025. The country’s Ministry of Commerce and Industries announced the figure this week, attributing the success to 31 foreign projects that chose to film in Panama last year.Government officials now plan to aggressively expand promotional policies throughout 2026. Their goal is to establish Panama as a leading filming destination within Latin America, capitalizing on its diverse geography and modern infrastructure.Audiovisual Sector Emerges as Economic EngineCommerce and Industries Minister Julio Moltó presented the annual results, highlighting the sector audiovisual as a new driver for economic…

The Land Transit and Transport Authority (ATTT) deployed a major New Year’s Eve security and inspection operation at Panama City’s main bus terminal on Wednesday. The annual effort aims to ensure safe travel for tens of thousands of citizens heading to the country’s interior provinces for holiday celebrations.Inspectors from the agency intensified technical and administrative reviews of buses departing from the Albrook Bus Terminal. The operation focused on verifying vehicle roadworthiness and ensuring all drivers possessed proper, up-to-date documentation.Surge in Passenger Traffic Prompts Additional BusesTerminal officials reported exceptionally high passenger volume beginning Monday night. More than 54,000 travelers had already…

Panama’s National Civil Protection System (Sinaproc) has launched a major national safety operation for the 2026 dry season. The agency deployed more than 456 response units across 35 strategic points nationwide this week to protect tourists and residents in high-traffic recreational areas.Operacion Guardianes 2026, Phase 1, focuses on beaches, rivers, resorts, and mountain trails where visitor numbers surge during the seasonal break. Officials confirmed sixteen tourist trails and nineteen aquatic recreation sites now have permanent monitoring teams in place. The operation aims to prevent accidents and provide rapid emergency response throughout the holiday period and coming months.”This operation sends a…

A Panama court has overturned the prison sentence for Mario Martinelli in a major corruption case. The ruling also declared a significant portion of the investigation against him legally null and void.The Superior Tribunal for the Settlement of Criminal Cases issued its decision on Monday, December 22. The court revoked a 40-month prison sentence Martinelli had agreed to with prosecutors and invalidated investigative actions taken after February 27, 2015.Court Finds Fundamental Legal ViolationsThe three-judge panel ruled that the prosecution’s case was built on flawed foundations. Magistrates José Hoo Justiniani, Eyda Amarilis Juárez, and Dida Esther Ruiz found that the Anti-Corruption…

Panama’s tax authority is urging all registered taxpayers to update their information in a national database before a year-end deadline. The General Directorate of Revenue (DGI) confirmed the mandatory update for the Taxpayer Single Registry (RUC) must be completed online by December 31, 2025. Failure to comply will result in financial penalties for both individuals and corporations.Official figures show 325,627 taxpayers had already updated their records by early December. That number represents roughly 35 percent of all entities registered in the system. Thousands of individuals and legal entities still need to complete the process through the government’s e-Tax 2.0 online…

Panama’s hotel industry is projected to close 2025 with an average occupancy rate of 56.5 percent, a figure that leaves more than four thousand rooms empty nightly and limits new investment. Preliminary data from the first half of 2026 points to sustained growth in tourist arrivals, but industry leaders argue the country must intensify its international promotion and improve service quality to compete with regional rivals.Victor Concepcion, a director of the Panamanian Hotel Association (Apatel), confirmed the estimate this week. He noted the rate represents a two percent increase over 2024, a positive but insufficient step. The current level, he…

A vessel carrying migrants sank in the Caribbean Sea off Panama’s northern coast on Saturday, resulting in one confirmed death. The Servicio Nacional Aeronaval (National Aeronaval Service of Panama) led rescue operations for the boat, which was traveling through the costa arriba region of Colón Province, Panama.Authorities reported the incident occurred in the maritime sector between Playa Chiquita and Palmira. Preliminary information indicated 35 people were on board, including 33 migrants. Rescue teams managed to save 34 individuals, providing immediate medical attention on shore. The identity of the deceased person has not been released pending notification of family.Security Forces Coordinate…

Panama’s tax revenue increased by 15.2 percent through the first ten months of 2025 compared to the same period last year. Preliminary data from the nation’s revenue agency shows collections still fell short of the government’s annual budget target by a significant margin, highlighting ongoing fiscal challenges.The Direct General Directorate of Revenue (Panama) reported cumulative tax income of $5.21 billion from January to October. This figure, while showing recovery, remained $1.16 billion below the budgeted goal for that timeframe. The revenue shortfall represents an 18.2 percent gap against projections.Monthly Performance and Direct Tax StrengthOctober alone saw cash tax revenues of…

Three construction groups submitted bids this week for a major public works contract to restore Panama City’s iconic coastal beltway and causeway. The Ministry of Public Works (Panama) is managing the public tender, which carries a reference budget of 26.1 million dollars for comprehensive rehabilitation work.Officials opened the economic proposals virtually on December 26. The project scope covers extensive green space maintenance alongside critical civil, road, and structural interventions across three defined zones.Bidding Details and Project ScopeThe contract will be awarded by specific line items, allowing for independent work assignments across strategic areas. This approach provides flexibility in managing the…

Panamanian exports grew 3.1 percent in the first ten months of 2025, reaching $835 million, but industry leaders warn a hidden price war is eroding profits. The head of the Panamanian Exporters Association (APEX) told La Prensa that new tariffs from the United States are causing international buyers to slash what they pay for Panama’s goods. This secondary “rebound effect” compounds direct losses from higher U.S. duties on products like fish and bananas.Official data confirms a sharp 30 percent drop in the value of Panamanian exports to the United States this year. While overall export volume appears positive, the figures…