Author: michaelm

A documentary exploring the life and legacy of a foundational Panamanian president has premiered at a major European film festival. “Belisario: Architect of a Nation” was presented at the Málaga Film Festival in Spain on March 10, marking a significant moment for Panama’s cultural outreach. The film focuses on Belisario Porras, a three-time president credited with shaping the early institutional framework of the republic.Directed by Panamanian filmmaker Alberto Serra, the project was produced by the Belisario Porras Foundation. Its selection for the festival’s MAFiZ Specials section placed it before an audience of international film industry professionals. This platform is reserved…

The Panama Canal Authority (ACP) signed a new seven-year collective bargaining agreement with its non-professional workers union on Thursday, March 12. The labor pact guarantees progressive wage increases and includes a one-time bonus for employees, securing labor stability for the critical waterway through September 2032.This agreement covers workers represented by a coalition including the National Maritime Union (NMU), the Panama Canal and Caribbean Workers Union (Sindicato del Canal de Panamá y del Caribe), and the Panama Area Metal Trades Council (PAMTC). Canal administration officials stated the new contract introduces measures aimed at improving management, boosting productivity, and strengthening operational efficiency…

The Government of Panama successfully placed $240.9 million in 12-month Treasury bills this week. The Ministry of Economy and Finance of Panama reported the results of the second debt auction of 2026, which saw investor demand far exceed initial expectations.Officials said the auction attracted bids totaling $366.9 million. That figure was more than seven times the initial indicative amount of $50 million set for the offering. The strong participation signals robust local market confidence in the government’s short-term debt instruments.Strong Demand Drives Favorable RatesAccording to the ministry’s report, the auction’s cut-off price settled at 95.76 percent. This was higher than…

Workers have started a five-month, $139,000 repair project inside Terminal 2 at Tocumen International Airport. The airport’s administration launched the initiative to fix damage caused by water leaks during Panama’s recent rainy season. These essential repairs aim to maintain the terminal’s structural integrity and passenger safety without disrupting daily flight operations.The initial phase focuses on the central area’s metal ceiling panels and structural beams. Project plans call for specialized cleaning, anti-fungal treatment, and resealing across 780 square meters of ceiling. Crews will also clean and repaint approximately 1,400 linear meters of metal beams.Airport Management Prioritizes Safety and StandardsAccording to Tocumen…

A construction worker died on Thursday after suffering an electrical shock at the massive Fourth Bridge project over the Panama Canal. The fatal occupational accident occurred on the afternoon of March 12 and prompted an immediate halt to work in the affected western section of the site.Preliminary information from workers at the scene suggests the incident involved a crane truck contacting a high-tension power line. Unofficial reports and social media videos show the vehicle emitting smoke as colleagues attempted a rescue. The worker, whose identity has not been officially released, succumbed to injuries from the electrocution and a subsequent vehicle…

Panama’s Social Security Fund (CSS) reported a slowdown in formal job creation last year. Director Dino Mon presented the data to a National Assembly committee on March 11, 2026, highlighting growing concerns about economic momentum and social security coverage.The figures show the number of new individuals entering the contributory social security system was lower in 2025 than the previous year. This trend serves as a key indicator for the health of the nation’s formal economy, according to officials. While the total insured population reached 2,819,622 people by the end of 2025, a significant portion of the country’s workforce remains outside…

Securing residency in Panama through its popular Friendly Nations Visa program requires a specific $200,000 bank deposit. Navigating the country’s banking sector to meet this requirement demands an understanding of key regulations and institution types. The process hinges on using a bank with a specific regulatory classification, a detail that can make or break an application. Panama’s National Immigration Service mandates that the qualifying deposit be held in a certificate of deposit at a bank possessing a “General License.” This license is a formal designation issued by the country’s financial regulator, the Superintendency of Banks of Panama. Choosing the correct…

The Panama Canal is entering its dry season with its main reservoirs at their highest recorded levels for March. This follows an exceptionally rainy February that bolstered the water supply critical for global shipping. Canal authorities are now balancing this abundance against the potential for a severe drought later this year, a scenario that could force a return to water-saving transit restrictions.Ayax Murillo, the Panama Canal Authority’s manager of hydrology, confirmed the unprecedented water levels in an interview. He stated that the Gatun and Alajuela lakes, which form the canal’s freshwater lifeline, are more robust than at any other point…

Panamanian lawmakers are weighing three competing bills that could either ban or regulate electronic cigarettes and vaping products. The debate within a subcommittee of the National Assembly’s Labor, Health, and Social Development Commission pits public health warnings against concerns over organized crime and illicit trade. This legislative analysis follows a session held this week where health experts, industry representatives, and civil society groups presented conflicting evidence.The three proposals under review represent starkly different approaches to a growing public health and economic issue. They range from an outright prohibition on all related devices to a comprehensive regulatory framework governing their sale…

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Panama issued a clarifying statement on Tuesday, March 10, 2026. It asserted that Panama did not sign any formal document during the ‘Americas Shield’ meeting in Miami, Florida, which was led by U.S. President Donald Trump. This statement directly amended the government’s initial announcement from the day of the event. Officials now describe the meeting as a forum for a tacit agreement among twelve nations to unite against international crime, particularly drug trafficking. The clarification seeks to delineate the nature of Panama’s participation in the multinational security initiative promoted by Trump. Contradictory Communications Create…