Author: Sebastian Pieper

PANAMA CITY, Panama – The National Assembly of Panama definitively approved a controversial bill on Tuesday that modifies requirements for practicing law, setting up a potential constitutional confrontation with President José Raúl Mulino. Law 168, which seeks to modify Law 350 of 2022 and relax the standards for obtaining legal certification, passed its third and final debate by insistence with 50 votes in favor, zero against, and zero abstentions.The approval came after the Government Commission recommended no changes to the original proposal that President Mulino had previously vetoed. The bill now returns to the president’s desk, where he must decide…

PANAMA CITY, Panama – The Consumer Confidence Index (ICC) in Panama registered a slight increase of 9 points but remains mired in pessimistic territory at 79 points, according to a September 2025 survey released by The Marketing Group and the Panamanian Chamber of Commerce, Industries, and Agriculture (CCIAP). The persistently low figure reveals deep-seated public anxiety about the nation’s economic future, driven by high unemployment and widespread informal labor.The survey, a key barometer of household economic sentiment, highlights a stark disconnect between macroeconomic growth indicators and the daily financial realities of most Panamanians. Despite the minor uptick, the index remains…

PANAMA CITY, Panama – The Mayor’s Office of San Miguelito has officially announced that the municipal cemetery has reached its maximum capacity. To continue providing burial services, the administration will begin a process to recover burial spaces where funeral rights have been in arrears for over 15 years.The critical capacity issue necessitates the immediate implementation of existing municipal regulations. According to the official statement, plots where families have failed to pay the required fees for more than a decade and a half will be subject to recovery. This measure is designed to free up space for new burials, ensuring the…

PANAMA CITY, Panama – Most private schools in Panama will maintain current tuition and enrollment fees for the 2026 academic year, according to a recent report from the Consumer Protection and Competition Authority (Acodeco). The October 2025 analysis of 140 private institutions reveals that while price stability dominates the sector, education costs continue to present significant financial challenges for Panamanian families amid economic pressures.The comprehensive study, updated through October 15, 2025, indicates that 79% of monitored schools—equivalent to 111 institutions—will not increase enrollment or annual tuition fees for the upcoming school year. Despite this general stability, approximately one-fifth of surveyed…

The National Public Services Authority (Asep) of Panama announced on Tuesday, October 21, that it has imposed fines totaling $18.5 million on three electricity distribution companies for failing to meet legally mandated service quality standards. The penalized firms are Ensa, Edemet, and Edechi, and the fine money will be returned directly to their customers as credits on future power bills.According to an official statement from the regulatory body, the sanctions are the result of 10 separate administrative processes initiated between 2019 and 2022. These cases were reviewed and ultimately resolved by the current Asep administration in August 2024. The investigations…

PANAMA CITY, Panama – The Panamanian Ministry of Health (Minsa) has implemented immediate epidemiological surveillance and vaccination efforts in the Bocas del Toro province following a confirmed case of yellow fever in neighboring Costa Rica. Health officials are focusing on border communities, particularly the Sixaola river entry point near Guabito, to prevent the potential spread of the mosquito-borne virus.The regional director of Minsa, Daryl Palmore, confirmed that authorities are actively managing the procurement of the international yellow fever vaccine to ensure its availability for provincial residents. The proactive measures aim to create a protective barrier for the local population and…

The Mayor’s Office of Panama City has issued a formal decree restricting noise-generating activities for November 2, 2025, to respect the national observance of the Day of the Dead. The municipal order aims to ensure a peaceful environment for families visiting cemeteries and participating in remembrance traditions throughout the district.According to the official decree published on October 20, 2025, the restrictions will be in effect for the entire 24-hour period of Sunday, November 2. The measure specifically targets activities that produce excessive noise, including but not limited to the use of loudspeakers, construction work, and large-scale public events that could…

PANAMA CITY, Panama – The Panamanian government spent over $400 million per month on public sector salaries through the first eight months of 2025, with August reaching a yearly high of $450 million in wage payments alone. According to official data from the Comptroller General of the Republic, total salary expenditures from January to August 2025 reached $3.4 billion, showing a net increase of $21.1 million despite some monthly fluctuations.The comprehensive payroll report covering 95 public institutions reveals a steadily growing public sector workforce that reached 264,774 employees by August 2025. This figure represents a 1.5% increase compared to August…

PANAMA CITY, Panama – The Governments of Panama and Canada have launched a new technical cooperation program to strengthen Panama’s export capacity, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) targeting the Canadian market. The initiative, announced this week by Panama’s Ministry of Commerce and Industries (MICI), is being implemented under the trade cooperation chapter of the Panama-Canada Free Trade Agreement (FTA).The project receives technical backing from the Government of Canada through its Trade and Development Expert Deployment Mechanism. It is designed to provide comprehensive training to public officials, business associations, academic institutions, and key export sectors with high potential, including…

PANAMA CITY, Panama – Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino and Paraguayan President Santiago Peña Palacios committed to strengthening bilateral ties and accelerating Panama’s full integration into the Mercosur trade bloc during an official state visit on Monday. The leaders outlined a concrete plan, announcing that Panama will formally present its accession letter on December 2 in Brasilia.The strategic meetings, held at the Palacio de las Garzas, focused on leveraging Panama’s logistical platform to create new commercial gateways for Mercosur nations. President Peña pledged his country’s full support to fast-track Panama’s admission process, aiming for finalization at the next bloc summit…