Author: spieper

Panama’s Social Development Minister, Beatriz Carles, and UNICEF Regional Director Sandie Blanchet conducted a surprise inspection of the Tocumen Integral Care Center (CAI) on Thursday, February 12. The visit responds to a criminal investigation into alleged child abuse and sexual assault within the state-run shelter for vulnerable children. Minister Carles stated the government is taking immediate action to address any failures in the child protection system.The inspection follows public denunciations made one week prior by Deputy Alexandra Brenes and the shelter’s former administrator, César Pérez. The Government of Panama has now launched a direct supervision strategy. Officials aim to strengthen…

Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino has officially accepted an invitation to meet with United States President Donald Trump and other regional leaders. The meeting is scheduled for March 7 in Miami, Florida, according to a statement released by the Panamanian presidency.Diplomatic channels delivered the formal notification this week. The gathering will mark President Trump’s first major regional summit since taking office over a year ago. It will include leaders from several Central and South American nations perceived as politically aligned with the U.S. administration.Summit Details and Attendee ListAn anonymous White House official confirmed the March 7 date to the AFP…

Panama’s Ministry of Environment confirmed that Coiba National Park has become a vital research and feeding ground for the critically endangered hawksbill sea turtle. Over twelve years of continuous monitoring on the island, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is now providing the scientific data desperately needed for regional conservation. The program has registered 887 individual turtles, with 106 processed during a major field operation this February. The long-term study positions the protected marine area as a strategic sanctuary for the Eastern Tropical Pacific population. Historically, a severe lack of information hampered effective protection efforts for Eretmochelys imbricata across its range.…

Health workers in Panama City administered more than 100 free rapid tests for HIV, syphilis, and hepatitis C in a public square this week. The Metropolitan Health Region organized the preventive campaign ahead of the capital’s Carnival festivities to curb potential increases in sexually transmitted infections. Officials focused on public education and reducing barriers to diagnostic services during a period of heightened social activity.The testing drive took place at the historic Plaza 5 de Mayo, a central location chosen for its high public visibility. Teams from the Regional Laboratory and the ITS/HIV/AIDS Program led the effort, offering confidential counseling alongside…

Panama’s main air gateway is bracing for a massive influx of travelers. Tocumen International Airport officials project over 154,000 local passengers will move through its international terminals during the upcoming Carnival holiday period.The extraordinary operational window runs from Friday, February 13 through Sunday, February 22, 2026. An increase in arriving passengers was already noticeable this Thursday as travelers began landing for the pre-festival buildup.Projected Passenger Peaks for Carnival TravelAirport analytics forecast 84,061 international arrivals between February 13 and 15. The single busiest day for returns, however, is expected to be Wednesday, February 18. More than 10,920 passengers are projected to…

Panama’s National Institute of Professional Training and Human Development, known as INADEH, will receive 10,000 specialized software licenses to boost digital skills across the country. The institute announced the acquisition this week as part of a regional program aimed at closing the technology skills gap. This initiative seeks to improve workforce competitiveness and meet the demands of a rapidly digitizing economy.The licenses are a core component of the regional Talent Up – America in the Center program, promoted by the Inter-American Development Bank. Officials state the program directly addresses the disconnect between technological advancement and workforce readiness. It fosters public-private…

A new bridge opened Wednesday in the San Miguel community, finally connecting residents over the upper Pacora River after more than three decades of requests. Panama’s Minister of Public Works, José Luis Andrade, led the inauguration ceremony in the San Martín district. The structure is a 33-meter-long zarzo-type bridge, a design commonly used in rural areas. It features 25 metal railings and protective mesh to ensure safe passage for residents and local students. The Ministry of Public Works (Panama) constructed the project in recent months at an approximate cost of 115,000 balboas. “These are small works in monetary terms, but…

Panama’s Ministry of Culture has launched a new mobile application designed to serve as a central hub for the country’s cultural events. The MiCultura app, introduced on February 11, 2026, aims to connect both residents and international tourists with a comprehensive calendar of activities. Officials stated the digital platform addresses a critical need for organized information to boost cultural participation and support the creative sector’s economic impact. The free application aggregates listings for exhibitions, cinema, workshops, competitions, festivals, forums, creative markets, and folkloric events. Arianne Benedetti, Vice Minister of the Ministry of Culture of Panama (MiCultura), led the presentation. She…

Panama has again scored poorly in an influential global corruption index, reflecting a persistent lack of progress in tackling graft within its public sector. The country earned 33 out of 100 points in Transparency International’s annual Corruption Perceptions Index, a score unchanged from the previous year and well below regional averages. The 2023 index, presented locally by the Fundación Libertad Ciudadana, evaluates 180 countries and territories. Panama’s stagnant position places it alongside nations that have seen no meaningful improvement in how experts and business leaders perceive the integrity of their institutions. Analysts interpret the flatlining score as a clear signal…

Cybersecurity specialists in Panama emphasized the critical need for public education on online risks this week. Their warnings came during global observations for Safer Internet Day, an international campaign now in its third decade. Experts specifically highlighted the dual-edged nature of rapidly advancing artificial intelligence tools.The initiative, active for over 22 years and uniting more than 100 countries, focuses on guiding populations toward safer online habits. Felipe Ruiz, Vice President of IT Security for Liberty Latin America, framed the current digital moment as one of both significant opportunity and profound challenge. He argued that new technologies demand understanding and critical…