Author: michaelm
Panama’s National Energy Secretariat confirmed this week that escalating Middle East tensions have introduced a new risk premium (finance) into global oil markets. While the immediate impact on local fuel prices remains unclear, officials warned that sustained geopolitical instability could lead to higher costs at the pump in upcoming biweekly adjustments. The agency’s analysis comes after a weekend of heightened conflict in the region, which directly influences the international benchmarks used to set Panama’s domestic prices.The country calculates its retail gasoline and diesel prices every fourteen days. This system relies on a technical review of international averages rather than reacting…
Expatriates in Panama have clear legal pathways to challenge attorney malpractice and excessive fees. Key institutions like the National Bar Association and the Ombudsman’s Office provide specific mechanisms for filing complaints and seeking restitution. Understanding these options is critical for residents facing negligence or the so-called “Gringo Tax” from legal professionals. Panamanian law defines legal malpractice as a failure to meet the standard of care expected from a competent attorney. More commonly, expats encounter issues with abusive overcharging or attorneys withholding important documents like residency cards over fee disputes. The country’s legal fee structure is not arbitrary. It is governed…
The Panama Canal Authority (ACP) unveiled a new digital job portal this Thursday, February 26. The platform, empleos.pancanal.com, is designed to streamline hiring for more than 20 current technical and professional vacancies.This launch represents a key component of the waterway’s broader Strategic Vision for 2025-2035. Officials framed the move as essential for modernizing talent acquisition to meet future operational demands.Rubén Pérez, the Canal’s Vice President of Human Capital, emphasized the strategic importance of the new tool. He stated the portal will enhance the organization’s ability to compete for skilled workers in a dynamic market.”The new jobs portal strengthens our capacity…
Major new infrastructure projects are actively reshaping where international migrants choose to live in Panama. Government data from 2025 reveals a pronounced shift away from traditional hubs, with expats and investors now targeting emerging regions connected by new railways, bridges, and highways. This movement is directly tied to the execution of the nation’s government strategic plan for national development and decentralization.Foreign residency registrations in Panama Oeste, the region west of the capital, jumped 40 percent last year. This surge correlates with the ongoing construction of Metro Line 3 and the monumental Fourth Bridge over the Panama Canal. Once considered merely…
The United States and Panama are entering the final stage of their bilateral trade agreement, moving toward a fully tariff-free exchange by October 2030. This milestone arrives amid a significant and persistent trade deficit for the Central American nation, raising concerns among local producers about their future competitiveness. The final sensitive product to be liberalized is chicken leg quarters, a staple in the Panamanian diet.The Trade Promotion Agreement (TPC) between the two nations, signed in 2007 and implemented in 2012, has followed a gradual, multi-year schedule for eliminating import duties. Official documents show that many agricultural goods have already reached…
Panama’s government has formally invited twelve countries to accede to the treaty guaranteeing the permanent neutrality of the Panama Canal. Foreign Minister Javier Martínez-Acha Vásquez extended the invitations during a series of diplomatic meetings in Mexico City this week. The move aims to bolster international legal safeguards for global trade through the vital waterway.The invitations target nations across four continents without current ties to the protocol. Officials described the effort as a strategic push to reinforce Panama’s role as a stable and predictable maritime hub. The meetings occurred on the sidelines of a broader gathering of ambassadors, allowing for focused…
Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino issued a stark warning this week against a return to disruptive national protests. He promised his administration would not allow protestors to paralyze the country with road closures again. The president made these remarks during a public event in Chiriquí Province on Thursday.Mulino spoke at the inauguration of the Remigio Rojas Irrigation System, a public works project representing an investment of 6.5 million dollars. His comments were directed at agricultural producers and business leaders gathered for the event. The president specifically referenced the widespread road blockades that brought significant parts of Panama to a standstill…
The popular Panamanian mobile payment platform Yappy will begin charging transaction fees to personal users who receive a high volume of payments, the company confirmed this week. Yappy, S.A. announced a new policy classifying frequent users as informal businesses, a move set to take effect after users are notified via email.Under the updated terms, any personal account that exceeds 50 received transactions and accumulates over $10,000 in two consecutive months will be re-categorized. These users will be labeled as engaging in Informal commerce. The change directly targets individuals who primarily use the peer-to-peer app for commercial activity without registering as…
Panama and Costa Rica are charting distinctly different courses in their competition for foreign residents, according to official immigration data from 2020 through 2026. While both Central American nations remain premier destinations, their approaches and outcomes reveal a widening gap in administrative efficiency and target demographics. Panama’s streamlined processes are attracting investors and professionals seeking speed, while Costa Rica’s enduring lifestyle appeal contends with a significant bureaucratic backlog.The numbers from each country’s migration authorities tell the story of this divergence. Panama’s National Migration Service (Panama) has processed applications with high consistency. In the first seven months of 2025 alone, the…
The Panama Tourism Authority (ATP) has officially ended the special tax benefits for Decameron Hotels in Rio Hato. A resolution issued in January 2026 declared the fiscal incentives, granted under a 1994 law, expired as of December 31, 2025.This action concludes a 26-year period of state support for the all-inclusive beach resort located in Farallon, Cocle province. The project was originally developed on a concession basis with an option to purchase, utilizing specific land parcels for the public tourism lodging development.Legal Basis and Timeline of BenefitsThe incentives were initially provided under Article 17 of Law 8 of 1994 (Panama). This…