Author: michaelm

The board of directors for Tocumen International Airport has officially approved a major 12 million dollar modernization project for its passenger terminals. This initiative, a collaboration between the airport and Panama’s customs authority, aims to overhaul inspection areas and baggage systems to improve operational flow and security. The project is scheduled to commence in 2026, representing a significant investment in the nation’s primary aviation gateway.This comprehensive plan focuses on the strategic reorganization and technological upgrade of customs inspection zones within Terminal 1 and Terminal 2. Key components include relocating baggage conveyor belts, installing new inspection equipment, and physically adapting the…

Panamanian security forces are achieving historic successes against international drug trafficking while simultaneously failing to curb rising street crime. The nation has intercepted a record 52,000 packages of cocaine so far this year according to the National Aeronaval Service. Despite these high-profile maritime victories, official data shows homicides, robberies, and thefts continue to plague local communities. This stark contrast reveals a deep disconnect between Panama’s effectiveness against transnational crime and its struggles with domestic public safety.The Ministry of Public Security reported 438 homicidios occurred between January and September this year. While this figure represents a slight decrease from the 456…

The Supreme Court of Justice of Panama has definitively closed the legal debate surrounding a controversial pension deduction. In a ruling issued on September 9, 2025, the full court decided that a law requiring retirees to contribute 6.75 percent of their pensions to the social security system is constitutional. This decision solidifies a key funding mechanism for the nation’s public health and pension provider. The court’s unanimous verdict responds to a lawsuit filed by lawyer Martin Jesus Molina Rivera. He had petitioned the high court to declare the deduction unconstitutional, arguing it violated both domestic law and international labor standards.…

Social movements have fundamentally shaped Panama’s national identity and legislative framework for over a century. These collective actions, driven by trade unions, community organizations, and human rights groups, consistently respond to systemic inequality, corruption, and the defense of marginalized populations. The ongoing influence of these social movements faces new tests today amid rising inequality and environmental challenges. Analyst Noemí Aparicio documented the current state of these movements in a November 2025 assessment. She found their balancing role in society is now jeopardized by actions that challenge the status quo. The historical record, however, demonstrates an undeniable capacity for achieving concrete…

Panamanian border authorities report a dramatic shift in criminal activity within the ecologically sensitive Darien province. The National Border Service, known as Senafront, is now confronting an explosion of illegal gold mining operations it says are directly linked to the powerful Gulf Clan cartel. This criminal pivot follows Panama’s successful 2024 closure of irregular migration routes that had previously generated millions in revenue for armed groups. Between 2024 and the present day, Senafront and the Ministry of Environment have dismantled at least 45 illegal mining camps. These clandestine operations are primarily concentrated at the headwaters of vital rivers like the…

Panama’s Ministry of Public Works is moving forward with a major 382 million dollar road expansion project targeting one of the country’s most critical traffic corridors. The initiative will widen and rehabilitate the approaches to the Centenario Bridge and the Panama–La Chorrera Highway under a 25-year Public–Private Partnership model. Officials approved the project’s pre-feasibility stage in October, authorizing the ministry to begin the formal bidding process for a contract that includes 30 months of construction followed by 21 years of private maintenance.This ambitious plan represents the third major road infrastructure project Panama is developing using the public-private partnership framework. It…

Panama has launched a major legal offensive against digital criminals with a new law that compels private companies to fortify their cybersecurity defenses. Law 478 of 2025, which took effect in late 2024, represents the most significant overhaul of the nation’s digital crime framework in years. The legislation imposes stricter penalties for cyber offenses and introduces unprecedented obligations for businesses to preserve digital evidence and collaborate with authorities.The updated legal framework specifically escalates punishments for attacks targeting critical infrastructure sectors. Financial institutions, healthcare providers, energy distributors, and telecommunications firms now face heightened legal consequences when cyberattacks compromise their operations. This…

Panamanian environmental authorities released 377 olive ridley sea turtle hatchlings along the nation’s Pacific coast this week. The event took place at the Playa La Barqueta Agrícola wildlife refuge in the Alanje district of Chiriquí province. This conservation initiative forms part of ongoing efforts by the Ministry of Environment (Panama) to protect vulnerable marine species. Biologists and volunteers carefully monitored the nests before the controlled release. They ensured optimal conditions for the young turtles’ journey to the ocean. These efforts directly combat the threats of poaching and habitat loss that have endangered sea turtle populations throughout Panama. Official Commitment to…

Zelmar Rodriguez, the administrator of Panama’s National Authority of Public Services, is confronting systemic service failures in water, electricity, and telecommunications. In a recent interview, Rodriguez detailed her agency’s aggressive regulatory actions, including multimillion-dollar fines against power companies and a concerted push to introduce a third mobile operator by 2026. These moves come amid persistent public outcry over frequent service interruptions that have plagued the country.The official defended her administration’s record, emphasizing a shift towards stricter enforcement and modernization. She announced that her team is actively drafting a proposed law to comprehensively transform the nation’s electricity sector. This legislative effort…

Hyatt Hotels Corporation has launched a major new wellness destination in Panama’s beautiful mountain region of El Valle, marking a significant expansion of the country’s luxury tourism offerings. The Elysium Spa and Wellness House opened its doors this month within the newly inaugurated Hotel La Compañía del Valle, a property belonging to The Unbound Collection by Hyatt. This twenty-two thousand square foot facility is situated in the scenic highlands of El Valle de Antón, a town nestled inside the crater of an extinct volcano. The development represents a strategic investment in Panama’s growing wellness tourism sector. It aims to attract…