Author: Editorial Team

The Panama Social Security Fund (CSS) has announced a data update initiative for patients affected by Diethylene glycol poisoning. These individuals receive a lifetime pension from the state. The program runs from Monday, May 18 to Friday, May 29, 2026. Patients must visit designated health units between 8:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. The CSS confirmed this schedule applies to all locations of the Special Toxicology Center nationwide. Officials said the goal is to keep the database current and streamline administrative processes. This should improve how health services are delivered to victims. Victims Must Coordinate With Liaison Doctors The Panama Social…

The Panama Tourism Authority has placed the spotlight on Colon province’s natural and cultural treasures. The International Tourism Forum 2026, organized by the Panamanian Association of Business Executives (Apede), brought together officials, business leaders, and tourism representatives this week. Their goal was clear: showcase the Caribbean coast’s potential to both the nation and the world. The forum highlighted attractions in Costa Arriba and Costa Abajo, two distinct regions of Colon province. But beneath the discussion of pristine beaches and economic growth, a deeper concern emerged. Security issues in the province have become a central talking point for industry leaders. Security…

The Technological University of Panama has opened a pilot project in Aguadulce, Coclé province. This initiative uses black soldier fly larvae to convert organic waste into valuable resources. Officials announced the launch this week as a direct response to the country’s growing solid waste problem. Panama generates more than 2,000 tons of organic waste each year. Much of this material ends up in open-air landfills across Coclé province. The resulting leachate production creates serious environmental contamination and public health risks. The university developed this project with support from the National Secretariat of Science, Technology and Innovation, known as Senacyt, along…

Panama City has activated a new digital system for temporary vehicle circulation permits. The Mayor’s Office launched this initiative to modernize municipal processes and speed up vehicle paperwork. Citizens can now access their permits faster through digital channels. The system went live this week for the 2026 regular plan vehicles. The new program offers two distinct options for obtaining the permit. Drivers can complete the entire process online through the Panama City Mayor’s Office Digital Platform. Alternatively, they can pick up a physical sticker at the Plate Delivery Center known as CEP. The digital option requires no physical visit to…

Panama’s tourism industry is calling for stricter penalties against criminals who target visitors. The National Chamber of Tourism of Panama, known as Camtur, made the demand this week. The push comes after a violent robbery of an elderly foreign couple on Avenida Balboa sparked fresh concerns about safety in key tourist zones. Nadkyi Duque, president of the National Chamber of Tourism, said the incident was isolated but alarming. She stressed that Panama must protect its reputation as a safe destination for international travelers. The tourism sector generates billions of dollars for the national economy every year. “We will work to…

Panama’s President José Raúl Mulino has publicly defended the nation’s pursuit of membership in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. The president stated that joining the OECD would unlock new investment opportunities and strengthen institutional frameworks. He made these remarks during his weekly press conference on Thursday. The push for membership represents a major shift in Panama’s international strategy. Mulino previously held critical views toward the organization. But he now argues that Panama’s current circumstances demand a more integrated global role. “The country must always seek better scenarios than where we currently stand,” Mulino said. [Translated from Spanish] Mulino…

The Panamanian government has announced a series of infrastructure projects and road improvements for Puerto Armuelles in Chiriqui Province. The plans include new roads, a bypass study, and construction work designed to boost regional connectivity. Officials confirmed the initiative on Wednesday. Public Works Minister José Luis Andrade made the announcement. He confirmed that emergency repair projects from the heavy rains of November and December 2024 are now fully complete. “When the rains came in 2024, all emergency projects were completed at 100 percent and were delivered,” Andrade said. [Translated from Spanish] “We are studying a route that will cut travel…

Drivers in Panama will pay more at the pump starting this Friday. The Secretariat of Energy Panama announced a new increase in fuel prices effective May 15. The adjustment hits all three major fuel grades across the country. 95-octane gasoline will rise by 9 cents per liter. That brings the price to $1.36 per liter. 91-octane gasoline also jumps 9 cents, settling at $1.28 per liter. Low-sulfur diesel increases by a smaller margin of 5 cents, reaching $1.32 per liter. [Translated from Spanish] The increases push 95-octane gasoline past the $5 per gallon threshold. This creates a significant burden for…

Desperate residents of El Clavel neighborhood in Arraiján blocked the Chapala road on Wednesday. They demand an immediate solution to a water crisis that has left some homes without service for over a month. The protest marks a breaking point for families who say they have exhausted all other options. The blockade comes as the Panama water utility IDAAN faces mounting criticism over service failures in western Panama province. Empty water tanks line the streets outside homes. Families now rely on rainfall to meet basic sanitation needs. The situation has become unbearable, residents said. “We have been a month without…

Panama’s homicide count has exceeded 200 victims in the first weeks of 2026. Judicial authorities confirmed 214 deaths linked to crimes against life and personal integrity nationwide. Metropolitan area homicide prosecutor Jorge Ferguson released the figures on Monday from Panama City. The numbers show a troubling trend for public safety officials. Of the total victims, 97 cases fall within the metropolitan area alone. Ferguson stated the situation reflects a clear deterioration in social coexistence across the country. He acknowledged growing concern over the high frequency of violent events recorded in recent weeks. Prosecutor Cites Deteriorating Social Coexistence The spike in…