Author: michaelm

A new regional study reveals a significant drop in employee engagement across Panama’s workforce. The phenomenon of quiet quitting is gaining ground as more workers report feeling undervalued and disconnected from their companies.Job portal Konzerta conducted the “Silent Resignation” study, polling 1,705 workers across five Latin American countries including Panama. While 64% of Panamanian employees still claim to give their all at work, that positive perception fell by nine percentage points compared to 2024 data. Meanwhile, 28% now say they do only the bare minimum required, and 8% admit to doing less and less over time.Managers Urged to Reflect on…

Panamanian chef Mario Castrellón is launching a new cultural gastronomy project in Panama City’s historic district in early 2026. The initiative, named Callejón del Casco, aims to fuse traditional food with live folkloric performances, marking his latest effort to position Panama as a premier culinary destination. This move follows the sustained international recognition of his flagship restaurant, Maito, which recently ranked 18th on the Latin America’s 50 Best Restaurants list, a platform he first cracked nearly a decade ago.Castrellón’s work over the last ten years has fundamentally altered the country’s culinary landscape. His group now operates 14 restaurants across Panama,…

Panama’s public bus operator, MiBus, will run a continuous 24-hour service on key routes during the New Year’s holiday period. The announcement, made on December 12, 2025, addresses the surge in traffic and public demand for safe transit options as Panama City hosts numerous Christmas and New Year’s events. This special schedule aims to help residents return home safely after late-night festivities.Since early December, the capital has experienced significantly heavier traffic due to a packed calendar of seasonal activities. The increased congestion has amplified calls for reliable late-night public transportation. MiBus officials confirmed they are responding by maintaining round-the-clock operations…

Panama is failing to advance at the necessary pace to ensure an inclusive education for students with disabilities, according to a new regional report from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. The findings, released in the report “Towards an Education Without Barriers,” indicate that while legal frameworks exist, their implementation in classrooms remains inconsistent and insufficient for thousands of children and adolescents.The data comes from the Regional Educational Information System for Students with Disabilities (Siried 2024). It paints a picture of a country stuck in the middle of regional rankings, neither among the most lagging nations nor those…

The Hotel Riu Plaza Panama has officially reopened its doors in Panama City after completing the most extensive renovation in its history. The property, a landmark in the city’s financial district, unveiled its full transformation to guests in October 2025. This multimillion-dollar refresh modernizes the entire guest experience, targeting both business and leisure travelers seeking contemporary comfort in a prime urban location.Project managers for Riu Hotels & Resorts confirmed the renovation touched every area of the 34-story hotel. Updates include all 600 guest rooms, multiple dining venues, the outdoor pool deck, and the hotel’s extensive conference facilities. The goal was…

The Panamanian government has received $29 million in mining royalties from the export of copper stockpiles. Commerce and Industries Minister Julio Moltó confirmed the funds will be directed to infrastructure in communities near the suspended Donoso Copper Mine.Minister Moltó detailed the transaction during a press conference on Wednesday, December 12. He stated that over 122,000 tons of copper concentrate were exported in September under a state preservation plan. The resulting $29 million payment to the state was processed just days before the announcement.”These funds belong to all of Panama and will be allocated entirely to public works for the benefit…

Panamanian authorities arrested five individuals this week in a sweeping anti-corruption operation targeting the alleged theft of public funds. The Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office and the Judicial Investigation Directorate conducted simultaneous raids across four provinces. These arrests stem from separate investigations into suspected embezzlement and fraud within several key government agencies.Officials allege the crimes caused significant financial damage to the National Decentralization Authority, the Ministry of Education, and the Ministry of Public Works. A major case also involves the National Council for Sustainable Development, known as Conades. The operations highlight an ongoing crackdown on the misuse of funds intended for local…

The United States Department of the Treasury imposed significant financial sanctions on Thursday, December 11, 2025. Its Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) targeted a Panamanian businessman with deep ties to Venezuela’s government and three nephews of the Venezuelan first lady. These actions mark a sharp reversal of previous diplomatic engagement with the administration of Nicolás Maduro.Ramón Carretero Napolitano, a 60-year-old businessman from Colon, Panama, was added to the Specially Designated Nationals list. Three Venezuelan nationals, Efraín Campo Flores, Franqui Francisco Flores De Freitas, and Carlos Erik Malpica Flores, were also designated. They are nephews of Cilia Flores, Venezuela’s first…

London & Regional Panama has announced a major capital investment exceeding $40 million to develop new industrial infrastructure within the Panamá Pacífico International Business Park. The project, confirmed on December 10, 2025, aims to solidify Panama’s position as a premier logistics hub for multinational corporations across Latin America.This private investment will fund the construction of three new industrial buildings totaling over 50,000 square meters. Project officials state the development will create 200 direct jobs and an estimated 300 to 400 indirect positions during its operational phase.Setting a New Industrial StandardThe expansion introduces a Class A+ industrial standard to Panama’s real…

Panama’s solar energy chamber is urging the government to eliminate a national cap on distributed solar generation. The call comes as the country prepares to draft a new National Energy Plan in January 2026. Industry leaders argue that removing the 4 percent limit is essential for accelerating Panama’s energy transition and meeting growing consumer demand.New data reveals significant growth in the sector over the past eleven months. More than 40 megawatts of new solar capacity were added through self-consumption systems between January and November 2025. This brings Panama’s total installed self-consumption capacity to 188.8 megawatts, spread across nearly 7,000 active…