Author: Editorial Team
Panama City’s historic district, known as the Cosco Antiguo, continues to serve as a primary cultural destination for nearly one million annual visitors. The UNESCO World Heritage site blends centuries of colonial history with the vibrant energy of modern Panama, offering an escape from the city’s famed skyscrapers just minutes away. Walking its cobblestone streets provides a direct connection to the nation’s layered past. Located in the San Felipe district, the area was constructed in 1673 after the original Panama Viejo settlement was destroyed. It functioned as a fortified city complete with protective walls against pirate attacks. Today, those same…
Construction on Panama’s New Gorgas Campus, a major public health research complex, is progressing with its first phase now 18 percent complete. The project represents a total investment of $198.5 million and is slated to transform the nation’s scientific infrastructure by 2028. Officials from the Gorgas Memorial Institute of Health Studies presented the update to the National Assembly this week, outlining the timeline for the sprawling facility adjacent to the City of Health complex.The development is divided into two distinct phases. The initial phase carries a budget of $73.4 million, while the second phase is valued at $125.1 million. Funding…
Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino formally initiated a major road rehabilitation project for the key tourist route to El Valle de Antón on Friday, March 13. The $12.5 million public works contract aims to repair 34.8 kilometers of roadway in Coclé Province to boost local economies and improve safety.Mulino was joined by Public Works Minister José Luis Andrade for the signing ceremony. They issued the official order to proceed to the construction consortium Transeq-Copsa. The project directly responds to longstanding infrastructure needs in a region popular with both domestic and international visitors.Economic and Social Benefits of the Road RehabilitationGovernment estimates…
For newcomers to Panama, the most essential cultural lesson is not found in a guidebook. It is a single word heard countless times each day. The national custom of saying “Buenas” operates as the fundamental social glue for Panamanian society. This simple greeting shapes daily interactions from urban elevators to rural trails, creating a framework of respect that foreigners must learn to navigate successfully.The practice is far more than a linguistic shortcut. It represents a core social contract. Cultural experts describe it as the invisible thread maintaining community cohesion in a nation balancing rapid modernization with deep tradition. Mastering its…
Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino inaugurated the Roberto Mariano Bula sports stadium in Colón on Friday, March 13, 2026. The event doubled as a political rally where the president defended his administration’s record and sharply criticized previous governments for mismanagement.The stadium’s delivery concludes a nine year wait for the province. It will officially open with the inaugural game of the 2026 National Major Baseball Championship between Colón and Chiriquí. This marks a significant upgrade for professional sports infrastructure in the region.A Project Marked by Delays and Cost OverrunsConstruction on the coliseum began in 2017 as part of the Colón Sports…
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…