Author: Editorial Team

Panama’s economy could receive a major boost in 2026. A new research report from Bank of America Securities identifies the potential reopening of the Cobre Panama copper mine as the country’s most significant positive economic event. The report, titled ‘Panama Watch of BofA Global Research,’ comes after analysts met with officials, bankers, and business leaders during a visit to the country. President José Raúl Mulino is expected to make an announcement next month. The report states there is a “higher probability” the mine will restart within six to twelve months. At the very least, the executive branch could announce the…

Panamanian migration authorities intercepted a United States citizen at Tocumen International Airport on Wednesday. Officials detected an alert linking the man to alleged sexual crimes against minors. The traveler was immediately denied entry. The incident unfolded as the US citizen attempted to transit through Panama. His final destination was Medellin, Colombia. Officers from the National Migration Service Panama flagged the alert during routine screening. The National Migration Service confirmed the details in an official statement. The man is reportedly connected to child sexual abuse tourism. This is a growing concern for transit hubs across Latin America. “After the corresponding verification,…

Customs inspectors in western Panama have confiscated 73 counterfeit soccer jerseys. The seizure happened at the Paso Canoas border crossing near the Costa Rican frontier. Authorities announced the operation on Wednesday. Officers from the Prevention and Customs Inspection Directorate detained the merchandise during a targeted inspection. The jerseys bore the colors and logos of Panama’s national soccer team. Officials suspect the shirts violated trademark protections. Intelligence Operation Leads to Discovery The operation began after inspectors noticed suspicious activity. Several individuals entered a commercial establishment carrying large gray bags. This behavior triggered immediate attention from customs teams. Inspectors entered the store…

Panama’s government is ready to negotiate with Costa Rica but demands identical trade rules for both nations. Commerce and Industries Minister Julio Moltó made this position clear on Tuesday. He responded directly to recent statements from Costa Rica’s new president Laura Fernández who questioned Panama’s import restrictions on Costa Rican goods. The trade dispute has simmered for years between the two Central American neighbors. Moltó emphasized that Panama seeks a balanced approach to resolving the conflict. “We are willing to sit down with the country, friends and brothers, at any time under the same conditions,” Moltó said. [Translated from Spanish]…

Panama’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has launched a public competition for entry into the 2026 Diplomatic and Consular Career. The announcement opens the door for professionals seeking to represent the nation internationally. The selection process aims to identify candidates with strong academic backgrounds and essential skills. Officials confirmed the competition will strengthen Panama’s foreign policy through rigorous evaluation. Application Timeline and Key Dates The official call for applications will run for three specific days. Candidates can access the application portal on May 12, 13, and 14, 2026. Online registration opens immediately after, from May 15 through May 28. The Panama…

Panama’s National Assembly has declared a permanent session to debate new economic substance legislation. The proposed law would require multinational companies and entities with passive foreign income to maintain physical offices, hire local staff, and generate real operational expenses inside Panama. The Economy and Finance Commission made the announcement during extraordinary sessions this week. The bill represents a major shift in Panama’s regulatory framework. Companies would need to demonstrate concrete presence including leased office space, payroll records, and verifiable operational costs. Supporters say the measure strengthens Panama’s international reputation. Critics worry about unintended consequences for key industries. Representatives from business…

Costa Rica’s newly elected president, Laura Fernández, has taken a hard line on the commercial dispute with Panama. She vowed to lift restrictions blocking Costa Rican agricultural goods from entering the Panamanian market. Fernández made her position clear during her inauguration ceremony for the 2026-2030 term. The president said she will pursue direct talks with Panamanian leader José Raúl Mulino. This strategy failed to gain traction under her predecessor, Rodrigo Chaves. Fernández is now betting on personal diplomacy to break the deadlock. Direct quotes from Costa Rica’s president “I am going to be very clear on this. I do not…

Panama received nearly one million international visitors during the first three months of 2026. The Panama Tourism Authority reported a 17.3 percent increase compared to the same period last year. Gloria De León, the agency’s administrator, confirmed the numbers on Monday. The growth comes largely from the carnival season and a surge in travelers using the Stopover program Copa Airlines offers. That program alone brought 88,000 tourists into the country by April. Government calculations show the economic impact exceeds $2 billion. Each tourist spends roughly $281 per day during an average eight-day stay. Convention visitors spend up to $650 daily.…

Panama City, Panama. Thousands of Panamanians are choosing the metrobus for their daily commutes. MiBus reported a sustained 13 percent growth in passenger movement during the first four months of 2026, solidifying the operational recovery of the public transport system in Panama City and San Miguelito. According to the operational balance presented by the company, April 2026 saw 12,885,493 passengers moved. This figure represents an increase of 1,499,308 users compared to April 2025, when 11,386,185 passengers were recorded. The cumulative total between January and April of this year reached 48,686,694 passengers, surpassing the same period in 2025 by 5,710,838 users.…

Panama’s telecommunications regulator has launched the formal process to bring a third mobile network operator into the country. The National Authority for Public Services Panama announced the initiative this week. Officials say the goal is simple: boost competition and improve service quality for millions of users. The process will take several months. The new operator is not expected to launch services until 2027. In the coming days, the regulator will publish a resolution that officially starts the prequalification phase for interested companies. Only firms that pass this initial screening can move forward in the public bidding process. Prequalification Process Begins…