Author: Editorial Team
US Embassy’s worldwide notify: The United States government has activated strict public health arrival restrictions for all travelers coming from three East African nations. Anyone heading to America who has been in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda, or South Sudan within the past 21 days must now enter exclusively through Washington Dulles International Airport. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced this measure on May 21, 2026. This directive applies to all passengers without exception. Even American citizens and lawful permanent residents face the mandatory rerouting. Officials from the CDC and the Department of Homeland Security’s…
Panama’s Minister of Public Security, Frank Ábrego, has received the Medal from the U.S. Special Operations Command. The decoration recognizes his leadership in joint security efforts. U.S. Ambassador to Panama Kevin Marino Cabrera confirmed the award on Saturday, May 23. The medal honors Ábrego’s commitment to bilateral security cooperation between Panama and the United States. Ambassador Cabrera attended the ceremony personally. He shared the news through his official social media channels that morning. “I congratulate the Minister of Public Security of Panama, Frank Ábrego, for receiving the Medal from the U.S. Special Operations Command,” Cabrera wrote. [Translated from Spanish] This…
Panama has signed a new agreement to strengthen protections for hammerhead sharks. The Memorandum of Understanding between the Charles Darwin Foundation and the Ministry of Environment targets the vulnerable species. Officials announced the pact on May 20, 2026. The hammerhead shark is central to the balance of Panama’s marine ecosystem. The collaboration focuses on four key areas of work. These include scientific research, regulatory frameworks, community engagement, and financial sustainability. The foundation brings applied research and technical assistance to the partnership. Panama will gain direct access to a regional network of experts and data. The country sits within the Eastern…
Panama City, Panama – Environmental inspectors have discovered a potential paint waste discharge flowing directly into the ocean. The Ministry of Environment Panama conducted the inspection at a residential building in the Punta Paitilla sector of San Francisco district. Officials responded to reports of environmental irregularities involving liquid waste and painting materials. The Ministry’s SWAT Environmental Verification Team carried out the operation. Technicians identified improper practices by workers during the site visit. Employees were painting and washing tools in a basin, generating waste with contaminating potential. The inspection also confirmed that the building’s social area sink maintained a connection to…
Panama’s criminal underworld is now controlled by eight major criminal structures. The Panama National Police confirmed this week that 121 gang groups currently operate across the country. That number marks a decrease from 180 groups identified in 2024. But officials warn the drop doesn’t signal victory. The gangs have evolved into more fragmented and specialized networks. Many now connect directly with international drug trafficking organizations. Panama National Police Director Jaime Fernández explained the shift during an exclusive interview. “We no longer speak only of gangs but of gang groups that work for larger operators,” Fernández said. [Translated from Spanish] The…
The Ministry of Environment has fully rehabilitated the Pipeline Road trail in Soberania National Park. This trail is one of the most important birdwatching destinations in Latin America. Heavy rains last year caused severe damage that forced its closure. Officials announced the completion of restoration work this week in Panama City. The project focused on rebuilding critical infrastructure along the popular nature trail. Workers reconstructed the first access bridge over the Juan Grande River, which had completely collapsed. The repairs covered approximately two kilometers of the main access road leading to the park entrance. An additional 1.7 kilometers of the…
Bella Vista representative César Kiamco has formally requested a national debate in the Panama National Assembly to address the growing crisis of homelessness. The request, submitted this week, argues that local governments cannot handle this complex problem alone. Kiamco sent a formal letter to the president of the National Assembly. He wants a technical, inter-institutional discussion about the state’s current capacity to serve this vulnerable population. The issue touches public health, security, social services and human rights. The situation has escalated across Panama City neighborhoods. Residents in areas like Bella Vista and Marbella report increasing encounters with people living on…
The municipality of Colon District has begun an urban improvement project in the city’s historic core. Officials confirmed the initiative this week with an investment exceeding $47,000. The funds come from Panama decentralization funds allocated to the mayor’s office. The project focuses on restoring buildings in the Barrio Norte and Barrio Sur townships. Crews are now working along Avenida Central, also known as Paseo Juan Demóstenes Arosemena. The goal is to transform the image of Colon City’s historic center through cleaning, restoration and painting of structures. First Phase Targets 21 Buildings for Restoration Colon District Mayor Diógenes Galván confirmed that…
The Association of Diplomatic and Consular Career Officials of Panama (Adica) has sent a series of formal complaints to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The letters question administrative decisions and political appointments within the diplomatic service. Dated between May 18 and 19, 2026, the documents were addressed to Chancellor Javier Martínez-Acha and Vice Chancellor Carlos Hoyos. Adica demands explanations about the lack of career official appointments in consulates and embassies. The group also cites failures to comply with established rotation periods for diplomats serving abroad. Delays in payments for promotions, travel allowances, and contingent expenses are another major concern. Career…
The United States Treasury Department added a Panama corporation and two Panama-flagged vessels to its sanctions list on May 19. The Office of Foreign Assets Control, known as OFAC, targeted the entities for their alleged support of Hamas. The action blocks their assets and prohibits Americans from doing business with them. The newly sanctioned Panama company is Aquila Worldwide Marine Developments, Corp. It was incorporated on October 25, 2025. The firm lists its address on the 21st floor of Global Plaza on Calle 50 in Panama City. Two Panamanian nationals registered the company. One lives in Paraiso, San Miguelito. The…