Author: spieper

The United States Embassy in Panama will prioritize visa applications for Panamanian soccer fans traveling to the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Ambassador Kevin Cabrera confirmed the expedited process this week, urging supporters to apply early even though Panama’s final match locations are not yet known. This initiative follows a high-level meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and FIFA President Gianni Infantino focused on streamlining consular procedures for the global tournament.Ambassador Cabrera made the announcement during official events in Colon, linking the policy directly to Panama’s recent qualification for the tournament. He congratulated the national team on its victory against El…

Panama is initiating a comprehensive national dialogue to confront a significant increase in chronic respiratory illnesses. The Ministry of Health announced the new multisectoral strategy during the opening of the National Respiratory Health Forum, an event supported by the British Embassy in Panama and the pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca. This effort aligns with the country’s commitments to meet global health targets set by the World Health Organization for 2025.Health Minister Fernando Boyd Galindo opened the forum by outlining the pressing challenges. He acknowledged advancements in early detection but pointed to two converging factors driving the crisis. Panama’s aging population and widespread…

Panama’s Health Ministry and Public Security Ministry signed an agreement this week to deploy drones for medical supply delivery to remote indigenous territories. The innovative program will use specialized drones operated by the National Aeronaval Service (SENAN) to overcome geographical barriers that have historically limited healthcare access. This partnership aims to transform how essential medicines reach Panama’s most isolated populations.Health Minister Fernando Boyd and Security Minister Frank Ábrego formalized the interinstitutional agreement that establishes the operational framework for the initiative. The program represents a significant advancement in Panama’s healthcare logistics, leveraging military aviation technology for humanitarian purposes. Specialized SENAN personnel…

The National Authority for Transparency and Access to Information, known as Antai, has sanctioned eight public officials for ethics code violations. These disciplinary actions announced on Monday follow a surge in administrative complaints filed during 2025. The agency confirmed it has received more than seven hundred corruption allegations this year alone.These sanctions target employees across multiple government institutions including the Agricultural Development Bank and the National Decentralization Authority. Investigators documented cases of nepotism and unauthorized outside employment. Agency representatives described their review process as exhaustive and firmly grounded in ethical principles governing public service.”Transparency is not just a principle. It…

Panama’s National Passport Office has activated an express service that delivers new passports in approximately one hour. The service began this Monday at a dedicated office inside Tocumen International Airport. This initiative aims to assist travelers with urgent document needs directly at the country’s main air terminal. Authorities confirmed the expedited process comes with an additional fee of 75 balboas. This cost is separate from the standard passport fee, which remains 100 balboas for regular applicants and 50 balboas for retirees. The express desk operates within the existing passport office located on the airport’s third level, providing a rapid solution…

The Panamanian government has initiated a large scale environmental intervention at the protected Escudo de Veraguas Island. The Ministry of Environment (Panama) announced the emergency action this week after an official inspection confirmed severe ecological damage from illegal construction, pollution, and wildlife poaching. Authorities immediately ordered a full one year closure of the island to all public access in an effort to save its critically endangered species. An interagency task force is now mobilizing to begin cleanup and restoration work on the remote Caribbean island. The operation follows a direct inspection led by Environment Minister Juan Carlos Navarro, who described…

Panamanian authorities have arrested three individuals connected to a sophisticated money laundering and fraud scheme that targeted the country’s national bank. The Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office and National Police conducted the operation on November 24, 2025, targeting a network that allegedly defrauded Banco Nacional de Panamá of approximately 980 thousand dollars through fraudulent check operations.Investigators executed multiple search warrants at residences across Panama Oeste province following intelligence about the financial crime operation. Sources close to the investigation revealed that the scheme involved two fraudulent checks, each valued at 490 thousand dollars, that were processed through the bank’s systems. The case represents…

The Panamanian government secured 228.2 million dollars through a local Treasury bill sale this week. The Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF) reported overwhelming investor demand, far exceeding its initial 50 million dollar target for the auction held on November 20, 2025.This tenth auction for the 2025 fiscal year attracted total offers worth 298.03 million dollars. Market participants submitted 201.65 million in competitive bids alongside 87.99 million in non-competitive offers. The massive oversubscription, more than 5.7 times the indicative amount, signals robust confidence in the nation’s short-term debt instruments according to government officials.The high demand obtained reflects the firm confidence…

Community groups and government agencies have restored 1.5 kilometers of trails in the protected highlands of Cerro Canajagua. The project revitalizes an area known as the Butterfly Trail for its diverse insect populations while creating new educational opportunities for Los Santos Province residents. This conservation effort represents a collaborative model of environmental stewardship.The National Council for Sustainable Development spearheaded the initiative through community self-management strategies. Multiple institutions and educational volunteers joined the project, which included installing environmentally friendly signage and conducting extensive area cleaning. Their work focuses on a crucial protected zone spanning three districts in the Azuero Peninsula region.Officials…

Panama’s Colon Free Port system has processed approximately 20 million dollars in commercial transactions during the first ten months of 2025. The Ministry of Commerce and Industries (MICI) released the data this week, revealing the special economic zone’s sustained activity leading into the final quarter of the year.From January through October, the platform registered 180,878 individual transactions. A full 90 percent of these purchases were made by national buyers, with tourists accounting for the remaining 10 percent. This breakdown indicates a strong foundation in the domestic market alongside growing potential within the tourism sector. The figures show a slight decrease…