Author: Sebastian Pieper

The Republic of Panama has officially confirmed its schedule of eleven national holidays for the 2026 calendar year. The list, published by authorities, includes patriotic commemorations, religious observances, and the festive Carnival break. Workers across the nation can plan for these mandatory days off, which feature one designated bridge holiday extending a weekend. This annual schedule is governed by the nation’s labor laws, which provide clear rules for holiday pay and weekend adjustments. When a national holiday falls on a Sunday, the day of rest automatically transfers to the following Monday. This provision ensures a long weekend for employees and…

Agricultural producers in the Bocas del Toro Province are confronting a severe security crisis. Banana and plantain farmers in the Las Delicias sector report a dramatic surge in armed robberies and violent threats on their properties. This escalating situation has forced local growers to appeal directly to municipal authorities for increased police protection, fearing the conflict could spiral further out of control.The farmers, based in the Changuinola District, describe an environment where thefts have become a constant and debilitating threat. They recently presented their formal complaints to the Changuinola Municipal Council, detailing not just the economic losses but also direct…

Panamanian officials have confirmed that more than 40 individuals previously reported missing have been located deceased. The country’s specialized missing persons unit released the sobering statistics this week, revealing the outcomes of hundreds of disappearance reports filed this year.Prosecutor Gustavo Barragan, who leads the unit within the Ministry of Public, detailed the findings. His report showed that 48 people reported as missing were ultimately found dead. Of these fatalities, 16 deaths were directly linked to homicides, classified as crimes against life.”The specialized missing persons unit has handled 1,521 formal complaints so far,” Barragan stated. [Translated from Spanish] “We have successfully…

A team of young Panamanian students has secured a prestigious international honor at a global technology competition. The team, named Asimov Juliet from Vision del Saber school, received the Future Innovator Team Spirit Award at the World Robot Olympiad finals in Singapore. Their victory highlights Panama’s growing presence in the competitive field of educational robotics. The award specifically recognizes innovative spirit and creative collaboration in robotic projects. It was presented in the elementary category, which is for students between eight and twelve years old. The winning team consists of students Ana Jimenez, Zoe Murillo, and Abdielys Batista, who were coached…

Panama City will officially begin its holiday season this Sunday with a simultaneous lighting ceremony across 26 parks and avenues. The Mayor’s Office of Panama City is orchestrating the massive display to transform the capital into a festive destination. This year’s “City of Stars 2025” International Christmas Festival promises a full month of December activities for residents and visitors. The main event starts at 6:00 p.m. at the Anayansi Fountain on the Cinta Costera. From that central point, the lights will activate at all other decorated locations at the same moment. City officials describe the effort as a major push…

Panama’s construction industry will end 2025 with growth nearly identical to the previous year, reflecting a significant stall. The sector’s performance was hampered by work stoppages on residential housing projects, operational adjustments, and administrative delays that limited its dynamism throughout the year. This stagnation occurred even as the broader national economy maintained a recovery trajectory with an estimated Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth close to four percent.Alejandro Ferrer Solis, president of the Panamanian Chamber of Construction, confirmed the sector’s flat performance this week. He explained that while the overall economy is recovering, construction has experienced only cyclical and moderate activity…

Ronnie De Gracia, a paramedic who has dedicated eight years to providing free medical care for Panama City’s homeless population, received the top honor at the Heroes for Panama 2025 gala. The nationally televised event on TVN not only recognized his humanitarian work but also awarded him a full scholarship to pursue his long-delayed medical degree. His victory represents a pivotal moment for both his future and the marginalized communities he serves. The emotional award ceremony culminated years of struggle for De Gracia, who had repeatedly been denied educational funding despite his clear commitment to public health. His work, entirely…

A Colombian soldier sustained severe injuries after stepping on a landmine in a remote jungle region along the Panama border. A joint rescue operation involving Colombian and Panamanian forces successfully evacuated the wounded soldier by helicopter on Wednesday. He was transported to a specialized medical clinic for emergency treatment. The incident occurred in the dense frontier zone of the Chocó department, an area known for its difficult terrain and persistent security challenges. Military officials reported that the soldier was on a routine patrol when an Anti-personnel mine detonated. His colleagues provided immediate first aid at the scene, stabilizing him for…

Twenty nine sixth grade students at Our Lady of Fatima School in El Chorrillo are handcrafting Advent wreaths as part of their spiritual preparation for the Christmas season. The project, coordinated with their teacher advisor and religion instructor, teaches the tradition’s significance ahead of the first Sunday of Advent. These circular wreaths with four candles serve as a visual countdown to Christmas across Christian communities worldwide.The students have learned the specific meaning behind each element of the wreath, from the evergreen foliage symbolizing eternal life to the four candles representing hope, peace, joy, and love. They plan to light the…

Panama City hosted a community health fair this Thursday focused on promoting healthy lifestyles and regular medical checkups for older adults. The event drew a large crowd of seniors aiming to reinforce the principles of active and healthy aging through education and personal responsibility. Attendees shared powerful messages about taking charge of their own well-being during the gathering.Organizers designed the fair to provide crucial information and motivation. They emphasized that preventive healthcare is the most effective strategy for maintaining quality of life in later years. The Ministry of Health used the platform to reiterate its official stance on the necessity…