Author: Editorial Team

Panama’s tax revenue missed its 2025 budget target by a significant margin, according to a preliminary government report. The General Directorate of Revenue (DGI) stated that collections reached $6.257 billion, falling $1.797 billion short of the $8.055 billion goal.Despite the substantial gap, the total collected still represented a 13.6 percent increase compared to 2024. Tax income made up roughly 60 percent of the state’s total current revenues for the year, which also finished below projections with a cumulative deficit of $2.684 billion.”The set of figures does not configure a scenario of a tax crisis, but it does reflect an economy…

A Panamanian legislative committee approved a bill this week that would require fast food restaurants to include bottled water as a free option in their combo meals. The proposal, which now advances to the full National Assembly of Panama for further debate, aims to promote healthier consumer choices and reduce sugary drink consumption. Lawmakers behind the initiative argue it represents a necessary step to combat rising rates of diet-related chronic diseases.The bill, designated as Proposal 498, received a favorable vote in its first debate before the National Assembly’s Commission on Work and Health. Its principal proponent is Congressman Ernesto Cedeño…

A state-appointed expert has testified that a major historic restoration project in Panama City incurred a “substantial” cost overrun. The testimony came during the second day of a high-profile corruption trial linked to the sprawling Operation Car Wash (Odebrecht case) scandal. The trial is examining irregularities in the contract for the renovation of the Casco Antiguo, Panama historic district.Aristides Hernández, the third witness presented by the Special Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office, appeared before the court on Tuesday afternoon. He confirmed the economic analysis underpinning the prosecution’s case. Hernández detailed precisely how contractual modifications, known as addendums, inflated the final price tag…

Economists and business leaders in Panama warn that escalating military conflict in the Middle East will drive up global trade costs and fuel inflation locally. The direct impact is expected through sharp increases in fuel prices, shipping freight rates, and the cost of imported goods, officials stated this week. Panama’s high dependence on imports makes its economy particularly vulnerable to these international supply chain shocks.The warning follows a significant spike in global oil prices after renewed hostilities involving Iran, Israel, and the United States. Market analysts project that sustained conflict could push oil above $100 per barrel, disrupting logistics and…

The 2026 academic year in Panama has started with a contentious national debate. Multiple civil rights organizations have filed formal complaints with the Ministry of Education, alleging several schools are conditioning the enrollment of Afro-Panamanian students on changes to their natural hair.Activists report at least four documented cases across three schools where students or their parents faced these demands. They argue the internal school regulations enforcing these rules are arbitrary and lack any legal foundation, directly contradicting national anti-discrimination resolutions.”They are told that, if they do not make the changes demanded by the internal hair regulations, they cannot enroll or…

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…