Author: michaelm

Panama is dangerously close to being classified as a non democratic regime, a leading transparency watchdog warned this week. The country’s stagnant corruption score now places it at a fragile political frontier, highlighting severe institutional decay despite its outward appearance of democratic function.The 2025 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI), published by Transparency International, awarded Panama just 33 points out of a possible 100. This score not only repeats last year’s result but also consolidates the nation’s worst historical performance since it joined the index in 2012. More critically, analysts say this low and stagnant score is a direct symptom of a…

The expedition cruise ship National Geographic Quest arrived at Panama’s Coiba National Park on Wednesday, February 12, 2026. It carried 87 international tourists who participated in low-impact ecotourism activities under strict environmental protocols. According to Panama’s Ministry of Environment (Panama), the visit was conducted with careful adherence to conservation rules for protected areas. The passengers, primarily from the United States with additional visitors from Costa Rica and France, engaged in guided tours of marine zones, beaches, and park trails. Activities were organized in small groups. This structure respected the area’s carrying capacity and aimed to minimize environmental impact. The ministry…

The coastal town of Las Tablas erupted in music and anticipation on Wednesday night. Thousands of residents and early arrivals gathered for the final rehearsals of the traditional ‘tunas,’ marking the unofficial start to one of Panama’s most iconic festivals. The rival factions of calle arriba and calle abajo held their last public practices before the official Carnival of Las Tablas begins.As tradition dictates, the Calle Arriba ensemble positioned itself at the corner of Bolivar Street. Just blocks away, their rivals from Calle Abajo practiced at the Punta Fogón intersection. The event serves as a critical final tune-up for the…

President José Raúl Mulino hosted a private meeting with British businessman Peter Phillips at the presidential palace on Thursday, February 12. Phillips, the nephew of King Charles III, visited Panama to discuss infrastructure and economic development.The meeting took place in the president’s private office within the Palacio de las Garzas. Official statements noted the visit focused on Panama’s progress and potential investment opportunities. Phillips is the only son of Princess Anne and the eldest grandchild of the late Queen Elizabeth II.Royal Perspective on Panama’s GrowthFollowing his discussion with President Mulino, Peter Phillips commented on the nation’s trajectory. He specifically highlighted…

CK Hutchison Holdings has formally warned it will sue APM Terminals if the rival operator attempts to take control of Panama’s key Balboa and Cristobal ports without its consent. The Hong Kong conglomerate issued the threat on Thursday, February 12, escalating a major dispute over the strategic terminals located on the Panama Canal. The company insists the future of port operations now rests solely with Panama’s Supreme Court and the national government.This conflict stems from a January 29 announcement by Panama’s Supreme Court which declared unconstitutional the 1997 law underpinning the concession contract for Panama Ports Company (PPC), a CK…

Residents and visitors in the beach community of Coronado, Panama are increasingly choosing to live without personal vehicles. This shift, driven by traffic concerns, cost savings, and a preference for a relaxed lifestyle, is reshaping mobility in an area traditionally seen as car-dependent. A combination of traditional transport, modern apps, and new community-focused services now makes a car-free existence not just feasible but often preferable. The trend reflects a broader move toward practical sustainability and convenience. While Panama’s infrastructure heavily favors automobiles, Coronado’s unique mix of services fills the gaps. People are discovering they can access everything from grocery stores…

Panama’s national banking system continues to grow by attracting foreign funds and issuing international credit, but its domestic loan portfolio shows significant weakness. A new sector analysis from Moody’s Local Panama, dated February 9, 2026, reveals this growing dependency on external markets for the fifth consecutive year.The total credit portfolio of the National Banking System (SBN) grew by 4.2% through November 2025, a slower pace than in 2024. The data reveals a stark divergence between external and internal credit performance. While the external loan book advanced by 11%, domestic credit increased by just 1.2%, one of the lowest rates recorded…

The Panama Canal Authority is advancing major new port and energy infrastructure projects, officials confirmed last week. This expansion comes as competing interoceanic corridor projects across Latin America face significant delays, accidents, or financial paralysis. The developments reinforce Panama’s entrenched position in global maritime logistics.A recent review by Nikkei Asia highlighted the stalled status of mega-projects in Mexico, Nicaragua, and Honduras. These initiatives, once touted as potential competitors, are grappling with structural, financial, and geopolitical hurdles. Meanwhile, the Panama Canal is not just maintaining its operations but actively investing to widen its competitive moat.The Canal’s administrator, Ricaurte Vásquez, outlined the…

Panama’s National Police will implement a large-scale traffic and security operation for the upcoming Carnival holiday. General Director Jaime Fernandez detailed the plan on Monday, which includes contraflow lane reversals on major highways, an expanded drone fleet, and a new digital reporting tool for citizens. The measures aim to manage the mass exodus from Panama City to interior provinces expected this weekend.Officials will activate the special traffic patterns starting at noon on Friday, February 13. The initial phase focuses on reversing lanes from Avenida de los Martires toward the Howard area, with operations continuing until 7:30 p.m. A similar, though…

A vessel carrying migrants capsized near a Panamanian island on Tuesday, resulting in three confirmed deaths. The General Congress of the Guna, the governing body for the indigenous region, reported the incident occurred near Gaigirgordub island in the Guna Yala archipelago. According to the organization’s statement, the boat departed from Miramar in Colon province with sixteen migrants aboard. It sank around midday. Personnel from the General Congress of the Guna responded to the scene, rescuing one individual who was trapped beneath the overturned hull. They provided immediate first aid to that survivor. Official Statement Details Fatalities and Rescue The congress…