Author: Michael Meuret

Panama remains one of the safest countries in Central America in 2026, according to recent international indices and government data. The nation’s security profile presents a complex picture of regional leadership mixed with persistent, localized crime challenges that require careful navigation by residents and visitors alike. Its position is confirmed by its standing on the Global Peace Index. Panama currently ranks 84th globally, placing it in the upper-middle tier for safety and making it a standout performer within the often volatile Latin American region. This ranking reflects a concerted government effort to combat crime while managing the realities of its…

Panama’s unique territorial tax model is drawing significant capital from international investors and corporations this year. The system provides a decisive legal advantage over competing jurisdictions in Central America and the Middle East, according to financial analysts and government officials. This framework exempts all foreign-source income from local taxation, creating a predictable environment for wealth management and corporate structuring.The country’s legal maturity and full Dollarization further solidify its appeal. While other nations adjust their tax policies under international pressure, Panama’s code remains firmly anchored. Article 694 of its Fiscal Code explicitly establishes the territorial principle, a law that has withstood…

Marina Pérez, Executive Director of Fundamorgan, argues that true equality for women in Panama requires concrete action beyond symbolic gestures. Her comments come as the nation marks International Women’s Day with a persistent gap between legal rights and lived reality.Each March 8th prompts renewed discussion about women’s rights. While these rights exist within international treaties and national laws, Pérez contends many women still cannot fully exercise them. The 2026 theme from UN Women, “Rights. Justice. Action. For all women and girls,” highlights this enduring deficit rather than introducing new concepts.The Persistent Gap Between Law and RealityAccess to justice and the…

Public health specialists in Panama are raising urgent concerns following a major policy shift in the United States. The US decision to remove mandatory requirements for several key vaccines has prompted warnings about potential risks to regional health security. Panamanian authorities are now calling for sustained high immunization coverage to prevent dangerous outbreaks.The new US regulations, confirmed earlier this month, eliminate mandates for vaccines against influenza, COVID-19, rotavirus, hepatitis A and B, and meningococcal meningitis. These immunizations will remain available but only through a “shared clinical decision-making” process between doctors and parents. This move away from compulsory schedules worries experts…

A woman was killed in a brazen armed attack on a major Panama City avenue Friday night. The shooting occurred on Centenario Avenue in the upscale Costa del Este district, a prominent financial and residential zone.Preliminary reports from the National Police of Panama indicate the victim was a passenger in a gray pickup truck when unknown assailants intercepted the vehicle. Multiple gunshots were fired, striking the woman. She died at the scene from her injuries.The male driver of the truck, according to initial information, was not harmed. The incident caused significant alarm among drivers and pedestrians in the heavily trafficked…

Former U.S. President Donald Trump declared he would not permit foreign influence in the Western Hemisphere, specifically naming the Panama Canal, during a speech in Miami on Saturday. He addressed the comments directly to Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino, who was present at the launch event for Trump’s “Americas Shield” security initiative.The remarks represent the latest chapter in ongoing geopolitical tensions surrounding the vital waterway. Trump framed his position as part of a renewed foreign policy approach, referencing a modern iteration of the historic Monroe Doctrine. Over a dozen Latin American leaders attended the summit where these statements were made.A…

Moving to Panama presents a major logistical decision for new residents. Expats must choose between shipping their entire household or purchasing items locally after arrival. Industry experts advise caution, suggesting that a full relocation of belongings is often less practical and more costly than many anticipate.Panama’s rental market and environmental conditions create specific hurdles. Many apartments and homes come fully furnished, limiting options for those with their own furniture. The country’s intense humidity can damage leather goods and wood, while termites pose a constant threat to untreated pieces.”The initial emotional urge is to bring everything to recreate a sense of…

Geopolitical turmoil in the Middle East is triggering a significant westward redirection of global investment capital. As traditional hubs face heightened risk, Panama is emerging as a primary beneficiary, attracting wealth and talent seeking stability. This shift, accelerating through early 2026, is reshaping global capital flows and positioning the Central American nation as a premier safe haven. Analysis from firms like Allianz Economic Research indicates the conflict has moved beyond a regional crisis to become a systemic shock. The constant threat to maritime chokepoints like the Strait of Hormuz and the potential for oil prices to surge past $100 a…

The Public Services Authority (ASEP) has formally asked Panama’s consumer protection agency to investigate the country’s two major telecommunications companies. The request, issued on Friday, March 6, cites recurring price increases for internet, mobile, and television services that have caused widespread concern among subscribers.ASEP officials stated that both TIGO and Cable & Wireless Panamá have implemented repeated price hikes over recent years. These adjustments have affected residential internet, postpaid mobile plans, fixed telephony, and paid television packages. The regulator’s move signals escalating governmental scrutiny over pricing practices in a critical utility sector.Regulatory Context of Telecommunications in PanamaPanama’s telecommunications market operates…

Chile has become the first nation in the Americas to receive official verification for eliminating leprosy. The World Health Organization (WHO) and the Pan American Health Organization confirmed the milestone this week. Panama is now advancing toward the same goal, reporting only five new cases in 2025.International elimination criteria require a country to report zero new indigenous cases for at least three consecutive years after interrupting transmission for five years. Chile has not recorded a locally transmitted case since 1993. The country maintained leprosy as a notifiable disease and ensured universal access to treatment, diagnosing 47 imported cases between 2012…