Author: spieper

Antón, Panama – German multinational energy company UKA will invest $200 million to develop a major new wind farm in Panama’s Coclé province, the company has exclusively confirmed. The La Colorada wind project, located in the Antón district, will have a generation capacity of 140 megawatts (MW), marking a significant private sector investment in Panama’s renewable energy infrastructure.The project will proceed based on a provisional license granted to UKA by Panama’s Public Services Authority (Asep) in 2021, which is now in the process of obtaining final approval. Project leader Héctor Miranda, the engineer spearheading the investment, detailed that the development…

COLÓN, Panama – A bus transporting 17 athletes to a sporting competition caught fire on the Pan-American Highway on Saturday morning, forcing a rapid evacuation moments before the vehicle became fully engulfed in flames. The incident occurred at kilometer 31 near the Giral community in the Buena Vista district of Colón Province.According to eyewitness accounts from other drivers, the bus, identified as a coaster-type vehicle, ignited quickly and was completely consumed by the fire. The athletes, who were wrestlers en route to a competition in Colón city, were able to exit the vehicle safely after the driver detected a burning…

PANAMA CITY, Panama – Héctor Brands, the former director of the Panamanian Sports Institute (Pandeportes) and ex-lawmaker, was denied entry into the United States on Friday, October 24, after authorities revoked his visa upon arrival. The incident occurred as Brands faces an ongoing financial investigation in Panama concerning his tenure at the public sports agency.According to sources close to the investigation who spoke with TVN-2.com, Brands departed from Tocumen International Airport without issue, as no travel ban was registered against him. He boarded a flight bound for Miami. Upon landing in the United States, however, immigration officials informed him that…

PANAMA CITY, Panama – President José Raúl Mulino has directed a rapid government intervention to import certified rice seeds from Colombia, responding to an urgent plea from national producers facing a bacterial crisis. The announcement was made during an Expanded Cabinet Council held in Santiago on Thursday, October 23, 2025, to safeguard Panama’s primary food staple.The decisive action came immediately after a request from Carlos Araúz, President of the Rice Producers Association, who highlighted the critical situation as one of “notorious urgency.” The local agricultural sector is grappling with significant damage from bacteria affecting the available seed stock, threatening the…

PANAMA CITY, PANAMA – The Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office, in a joint operation with the National Police Intelligence Directorate, apprehended four individuals on October 23 for alleged crimes against public faith involving the national tax system. The early morning raids, codenamed “E-Tax 2.0,” targeted locations across Panama’s east, west, and central districts as part of an investigation into the irregular recognition of tax credits.The operation led to the arrest of two former government officials and two private citizens. They are implicated in a scheme involving the creation of fraudulent tax credit resolutions within the E-Tax 2.0 platform, according to official statements.…

Authorities in Panama’s Herrera province have launched a new road safety campaign titled “No More Blue Hearts on the Roads” to combat traffic fatalities. The initiative, which began this week, aims to raise driver awareness about speed reduction and traffic law compliance through educational events and symbolic heart imagery painted on roadways.The campaign is a direct response to local traffic accident statistics that have claimed multiple lives this year. According to data from Panama’s National Traffic Operations Directorate (DNOT), Herrera has recorded 32 traffic accidents through mid-October, resulting in four fatalities and numerous injuries.Campaign Symbolism and Emotional ImpactThe blue heart…

Panama City, Panama – TVN Media talent and programs secured multiple top honors at the Victoria Awards 2025 gala on Thursday evening. The prestigious awards, organized by communication students at the Universidad Santa María la Antigua (USMA), recognized excellence across Panama’s media industry during a ceremony at the Teatro Ascanio Arosemena.The annual awards celebrate exceptional work by social communicators and media outlets that contribute to Panamanian society. This year’s event highlighted TVN Media’s dominant presence across cultural, sports, and journalistic categories.Complete List of TVN Media Victoria Awards WinnersThe television network claimed victories in four major categories during Thursday’s ceremony. “Hecho…

PANAMA CITY, Panama – The Panamanian government has generated nearly $2 million for the National Treasury through the public auction of assets seized from criminal organizations. The Directorate for the Administration of Seized Assets (DABA), under the Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF), reported that the auctions, held from July 2024 to September 2025, yielded a total of $1,975,761.57.These funds were raised by selling a range of properties and high-value items confiscated during judicial proceedings for serious crimes. The assets originated from cases involving public corruption, money laundering, financial crimes, terrorism, weapons trafficking, and narcotics-related offenses. This initiative forms a…

The Ministry of Public Works (MOP) is significantly advancing multiple infrastructure projects in Panama’s Bocas del Toro province, with substantial progress reported on road rehabilitation initiatives aimed at improving regional connectivity. Current work includes street reconstruction in Changuinola and highway improvements along the Rambala-Almirante corridor, representing investments exceeding B/. 23 million to enhance transportation infrastructure and support economic development throughout the region.Changuinola Street Reconstruction Reaches 55% CompletionIn Changuinola district, the MOP is executing comprehensive reconstruction of internal streets and installing new asphalt surfacing in the Finca Las 30 bridge area. This work forms part of the “Rehabilitation of Roads and…

PANAMA CITY, Panama – A National Assembly subcommittee is currently reviewing proposals to significantly increase mandatory discounts for retirees and senior citizens at hotels, restaurants, and pharmacies. The initiative, driven by lawmakers from multiple political parties, aims to unify three separate bills to enhance social benefits for Panama’s elderly population in response to rising living costs.The proposed changes would increase restaurant discounts from 25% to 30% per meal and raise pharmacy discounts on medications from 20% to 30%. Hotel discounts would remain at 50% from Thursday to Sunday, an increase from the previous 30% that was already implemented. The unified…