Author: michaelm

Newly released documents from the Jeffrey Epstein case reveal Panama’s role in the late financier’s exploration of offshore financial structures. The so-called Epstein Files show email discussions in 2011 about using a Panamanian entity to purchase a luxury apartment in Rio de Janeiro. These records illustrate how Epstein and his associates considered jurisdictions like Panama to minimize taxes and obscure money flows for clients.The documents, reviewed by investigators, include a March 2011 email exchange between Epstein and Peter Mandelson, then the British ambassador to Washington. Their conversation centered on creating a fiscal structure in Panama specifically to facilitate the property…

Expatriates seeking traditional Panamanian culture and Pacific coastline beauty are increasingly drawn to the country’s Azuero Peninsula. The region spanning from the commercial hub of Chitré to the colonial town of Pedasí presents a compelling blend of affordability and lifestyle. Successfully settling in this area, however, depends on understanding a single, non-negotiable factor: securing a reliable water supply in the arid zone known as the Arco Seco (Dry Arch).This part of Panama receives significantly less rainfall than other provinces. The dry season from January to May tests local infrastructure annually. For newcomers, navigating water security is the paramount task, often…

Panama’s Ministry of Economy and Finance reported a significant improvement in the nation’s fiscal health for the year 2025. The country closed the fiscal year with a Fiscal Deficit of 3.68 percent of its Gross Domestic Product (GDP), marking a sharp reduction from the previous year’s figure.This result represents a nearly 40 percent improvement compared to 2024. The 2024 fiscal deficit had reached 7.35 percent of GDP, equivalent to $6.416 billion. The 2025 performance not only beat the government’s own target of 4 percent but also surpassed projections from financial markets and risk rating agencies, which had anticipated a deficit…

Major nighttime traffic disruptions will begin on Panama City’s North Corridor starting Friday, February 6, 2026. The Panama Metro confirmed the start of a critical operation to transport massive monorail beams for the integration of its expanding Line 3. These operations will center on the area near the Albrook station, a key transit hub.This logistical effort is a direct component of connecting the new Line 3 with the existing Line 1. Officials aim to move the heavy components with minimal daytime impact, scheduling the most intrusive work for overnight hours. The entire process is slated to last one month.”The maneuvers…

The Panama Railway Secretariat will begin a comprehensive socioeconomic census along the proposed Panama-David train route on February 18. This critical data collection effort marks a major preparatory step for the 475-kilometer rail project intended to connect Panama City to the border with Costa Rica.Officials stated the census is designed to understand the conditions of communities along the corridor before finalizing plans. The process aims to register households, businesses, and farms to inform future decisions with accurate data.Secretariat representatives emphasized the survey’s role in responsible planning.”This census is a responsible step to understand the reality of the communities where the…

An international research team has discovered marine bacteria dramatically increase their use of solar energy during massive phytoplankton blooms. The finding reveals a previously overlooked energy pathway in the ocean’s most productive periods. Led by scientist Laura Gómez-Consarnau, the study was published this week in the journal Nature Communications.The research demonstrates that microbial proteins, not involved in traditional photosynthesis, reach peak concentrations precisely when phytoplankton growth explodes. This process provides a significant energy boost to bacteria responsible for breaking down organic matter. The work fundamentally alters how scientists view energy flow in marine ecosystems, with direct implications for understanding the…

Panamanian Foreign Minister Javier Martínez-Acha met with Emirates Airlines leadership this week to discuss establishing a direct air connection between Panama City and Dubai. The high-level talks occurred during an official visit to the United Arab Emirates aimed at strengthening bilateral ties.The meeting included authorities from Panama’s Tocumen International Airport, the country’s primary aviation hub. Officials described the discussions as exploratory, focusing on the operational and commercial feasibility of a new long-haul route across the Atlantic.”To explore the possibility of connectivity between Dubai and Panama, Minister Javier Martínez-Acha met with Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, CEO of Emirates Airlines,”…

The Constitutional Court of Panama has declared a major port concession extension unconstitutional. This landmark decision forces the Panamanian government to fundamentally reassess how it negotiates and oversees strategic contracts with private companies. Legal experts say the ruling exposes critical flaws in state supervision and sets strict new limits on future agreements.In a unanimous verdict on January 29, 2026, the court struck down the 1997 concession law for the Panama Ports Company. The ruling specifically invalidated a 2021 extension that would have granted the operator control over the Balboa and Cristobal terminals until 2041. This action has reopened a fierce…

The Panamanian Institute of Sports (Pandeportes) has lodged a series of formal criminal complaints alleging a multi million dollar fraud scheme involving abandoned sports facilities. Officials filed the complaints with the Public Ministry between April and December 2025, targeting four specific projects originally contracted between 2018 and 2019. These projects, initially valued at $9.7 million, ballooned to over $14.3 million through contract modifications while showing little to no physical progress, according to institute audits.Current Pandeportes director Miguel Ordóñez presented the complaints, which detail a consistent pattern of advanced payments, missed deadlines, and unfinished work. The allegations center on suspected peculation…

Panamanian President Jose Raul Mulino announced his government will seek independent concessionaires for the ports of Balboa and Cristobal. The decision follows a Supreme Court ruling that invalidated the existing contract held by Panama Ports Company (PPC). Mulino made the statement during a press conference on Wednesday, February 5.The court’s decision, which declared PPC’s concession contract unconstitutional, forces a major restructuring of port operations at both ends of the Panama Canal. For now, operations will transition temporarily to APM Terminals, the port operating arm of Danish shipping giant Maersk. This interim period will precede two separate public tenders for long-term…