Author: spieper

Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino formally congratulated Nasry Asfura on his election as Honduras’s next leader this week. Mulino’s public message signals Panama’s official recognition of the controversial election results and a desire for continued regional cooperation. The congratulation came via Mulino’s official account on the social media platform X. It aligns Panama with several other Latin American nations that have acknowledged Asfura’s victory. This regional endorsement unfolds against a backdrop of significant political tension within Honduras following one of its most contentious electoral processes in recent history. “I congratulate the president elect of Honduras, Nasry Asfura, and I hope…

Panama’s national airline, Air Panama, has introduced a new, larger aircraft to its fleet to strengthen connectivity between the capital and western provinces. The company unveiled its new De Havilland Canada Dash 8 Q400 at a ceremony at Marcos A. Gelabert International Airport in Albrook on December 15. This strategic move aims to boost tourism, commerce, and regional integration by adding capacity on key domestic routes.The newly acquired turboprop aircraft seats 78 passengers, a significant increase over the airline’s existing models. With a list price of approximately $27 million, the Dash 8 Q400 will initially operate on the busy Panama…

The Juan Manuel Cedeño Gallery in Panama City has launched a groundbreaking exhibition designed to engage all five senses. Titled “Sentidos” (Senses), the free public show features 62 works by 30 artists and will remain open until January 18, 2026.Located within the historic Las Bóvedas in the Casco Antiguo, Panama district, the gallery is presenting an ambitious collection. The exhibition moves beyond traditional visual art to incorporate touch, smell, and sound, creating a fully immersive environment.An Inclusive Artistic ExperienceOrganized by Panama’s Ministry of Culture (Panama), “Sentidos” deliberately includes accessibility features. Visitors can physically interact with select pieces, experience curated scents,…

An exhaustive new analysis reveals that Panama has lost more than five billion dollars in public funds to corruption over the past twenty years. The investigation, which compiled 90 emblematic cases, exposes a pattern of institutional fragility that has allowed graft to flourish across multiple administrations. This massive financial hemorrhage has directly impacted public services and infrastructure, contributing to systemic exclusion and tragic outcomes in the nation’s poorest regions.The research was conducted with support from the Foundation for the Development of Citizen Liberty, the Panamanian chapter of Transparency International. It draws on official data from the Public Ministry, the Judiciary,…

Panama City authorities have launched a major operation to reclaim public spaces being used illegally for private parking. The initiative, led by the city’s Directorate of Works and Construction, focuses on restoring safe pedestrian access in the capital district. This week’s actions targeted the busy Eusebio A. Morales Avenue in the Bella Vista neighborhood.Officials from the city’s Urban Police unit documented significant hazards for pedestrians. Thousands of residents were forced to walk in dangerous conditions because the public right of way was completely blocked by parked vehicles. The city says private businesses and residents had illegally appropriated these areas, installing…

The Panamanian government is formulating a comprehensive national plan to leverage the country’s participation in the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026. Officials aim to promote Panama’s culture and national advantages on the global stage during the tournament. This strategic effort, known as the “Plan País,” seeks to maximize the impact of Panama’s presence in the prestigious sporting event.Minister of the Presidency Juan Carlos Orillac led a coordination meeting this week to begin planning. The session included personnel from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Panama) and diplomats from countries where Panama’s national team will play its group stage matches. Panama competes…

Panama’s Ministry of Environment has announced that the La Cruz trail in the Altos de Campana National Park and Biological Reserve will reopen to visitors in January 2026. The trail restoration is a central component of a $2.5 million rehabilitation project for one of the nation’s most iconic protected areas, funded by the Inter-American Development Bank. Authorities conducted an inspection tour this week to evaluate progress on the infrastructure upgrades. The project, managed by the firm Panamericana BC, Inc., aims to enhance the visitor experience while strengthening the park’s conservation capacity. Similar interventions are planned for other national parks including…

Three hundred sixty one inmates from Panama’s largest penitentiary complex have received their diplomas. They completed middle school and high school studies this month through a national education program operating inside prison walls. The graduation ceremony marks a significant step in the country’s efforts to use education for inmate rehabilitation. The event was held for students from the La Joya, La Joyita, and Nueva Joya penitentiary centers. Officials from the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Government jointly organized the program. It specifically offered a high school diploma in Commerce with a focus on small and medium enterprise management.…

The Municipal Council (of Panama City) approved a major package of public works on Tuesday, committing over 25 million dollars to urban renewal across the capital. The nearly unanimous vote secures funding for strategic corridor renovations through the year 2028, locking future municipal budgets into a multi-year spending plan.Mayor Mayer Mizrachi’s administration pushed the four major projects under a framework of “notorious urgency,” citing Law 22 of 2006. The initiatives target some of the city’s busiest and most economically vital areas for comprehensive upgrades. These include Nicanor de Obarrio Avenue (Calle 50), the 5 de Mayo zone, Estudiante Street, and…

Panama has formally established a regional office for a key United Nations telecommunications agency. The country’s Foreign Minister signed the host country agreement with the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) on December 23, 2025, solidifying Panama’s role as a regional hub for digital innovation.This strategic move positions Panama as a central point for technical cooperation in Central America and the Caribbean. The new office will facilitate access to training programs and development projects focused on connectivity and cybersecurity.”This agreement marks a milestone in international cooperation on telecommunications. It reaffirms the multilateral system’s trust in Panama as a strategic partner,” said Foreign…