Author: spieper
Venezuelan opposition figure Maria Corina Machado publicly thanked Panamanian President Jose Raul Mulino on Wednesday for agreeing to attend her Nobel Peace Prize ceremony. The gesture highlights international solidarity for Venezuela’s democratic movement as Machado prepares to accept the prestigious award in December. Machado expressed her gratitude directly to Mulino through a post on the social media platform X. She called his planned presence at the event in Norway a significant honor for both nations. “Dear President @JoseRaulMulino, what an honor to have you, in the name of the brotherly people of Panama, at what will be a historic day…
Copa Airlines has temporarily suspended all flights to and from Caracas, Venezuela, citing concerns over ground-based navigation signals. The preventive measure, announced Wednesday, affects travel scheduled for Thursday, December 4, and Friday, December 5, 2025. The Panamanian carrier stated the decision followed pilot reports of intermittent signal performance but emphasized operational safety was never compromised.The airline is now actively evaluating the technical situation to determine when normal service can safely resume. Passengers holding tickets for the affected dates are being offered flexible rebooking and refund options. This disruption highlights the critical reliance modern aviation has on ground infrastructure for safe…
Panama faces a growing public health crisis as lung cancer, one of the world’s deadliest diseases, advances largely undetected. The country records approximately 370 new cases and over 300 deaths from the disease each year. Medical experts and health officials point to late diagnosis and limited access to specialized care as the primary drivers of its high mortality rate.Lung cancer accounts for 8.1 percent of all cancer diagnoses in Panama. Its lethality is stark, responsible for 1.8 million global deaths annually, more than any other cancer type. The national statistics reveal a critical systemic failure. A staggering 85 percent of…
Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino launched construction of the nation’s first public veterinary hospital this week. The landmark facility in the Juan Díaz, Panama district represents a 14.1 million balboa investment aimed at expanding access to pet care and strengthening public health safeguards. Officials from the Presidency confirmed the project start on Wednesday, December 3. They awarded the construction contract to the firm Construction Management Group with an expected completion date set for 2027. This initiative fulfills a key campaign promise from Mulino’s administration. “With this initial groundbreaking, we are not just starting a construction project. We are keeping a…
Panamanian customs officials have confiscated a shipment of undocumented onions and cigarettes during a retail inspection in the border province of Bocas del Toro. The National Customs Authority of Panama (ANA) conducted the operation at a store in the Barranco area of Changuinola district. Authorities suspect the goods entered the country illegally, bypassing all required import controls and tax payments.Inspectors discovered fourteen sacks of onions lacking any commercial invoice. The packaging on all sacks bore markings and logos indicating origin from the Republic of Costa Rica. This detail immediately raised red flags for possible smuggling across the nearby border. Officials…
A judge in Panama’s Chiriquí province has ordered the suspension of a university dean from her positions following allegations of a significant salary fraud scheme. The ruling against Dr. Evelia Aparicio de Esquivel, former dean of the Faculty of Medicine at the Autonomous University of Chiriquí (Unachi), was handed down this week after a hearing in the local Accusatory Penal System.The judicial measure mandates her immediate removal from both her dean and teaching roles. Prosecutors from Panama’s Public Ministry presented evidence alleging she collected dual public salaries improperly from 2017 through 2021. This case centers on the crime of embezzlement,…
The Panamanian Ministry of Health has officially established a new oversight body for victims of a historic poisoning case and their families. This commission, formed through a resolution published on October 27, aims to ensure state commitments to affected patients are met after years of advocacy.Manuel Zambrano Chang, the Deputy Minister of Health, presided over the meeting that finalized the commission’s structure. It will include representatives from the victims themselves, the Ministry of Health (Panama), the Social Security Fund, the Ministry of Economy and Finance, the Ombudsman’s Office, the National Assembly, and the Ministry of the Presidency.Oversight and Fulfillment of…
Panamanian fertility specialists are now using advanced artificial intelligence to personalize treatment and improve outcomes for patients. Clinics across the country have begun integrating AI tools into embryo selection and diagnostic processes, reporting increased precision and renewed hope for families. This technological shift aims to reduce uncertainty in complex fertility journeys.The integration represents a significant advancement for reproductive medicine in Central America. Tools once considered futuristic are now operational in Panamanian labs, analyzing thousands of data points to support embryologists and physicians. The goal is to make highly personalized care a standard, not an exception.How AI Analyzes Embryo DevelopmentOne of…
A 60 year old man was rescued by authorities after threatening to jump from the Bridge of the Americas in Panama City early Tuesday morning. The incident, driven by severe economic distress and health issues, caused significant traffic disruptions during the morning rush hour on December 2, 2025. Panama National Police and fire department units mounted a rescue operation after receiving alerts around dawn. Officers closed lanes on the critical crossing to ensure safety, creating a massive traffic jam as vehicles stacked up from the west toward the capital. Negotiation and Rescue Avert Tragedy First responders managed to establish communication…
The Caja de Seguro Social (CSS) has activated new robotic pharmacy systems designed to speed up medicine dispensing and cut down on human error. Panama’s public health authority deployed the automated technology at three major facilities to improve service for its insured population.These systems use advanced barcode technology to store critical data for every product. Essential information like the generic name, lot number, and expiration date is logged through a touchscreen integrated into the unit. Officials say the technology strengthens safety protocols while optimizing inventory control.”This automation allows staff to dedicate more time to direct patient care, reducing wait times…