Author: Editorial Team
A fire broke out in an apartment on the 20th floor of PH Tower One on Uruguay Avenue early Monday morning. The emergency alarms sounded around 6:30 a.m., jolting residents from their sleep. People scrambled down the emergency stairwells as smoke began filling parts of the building. Some residents grabbed pre-packed evacuation bags and ran outside. Workers from a nearby construction site shouted warnings to those still inside. Confusion and fear dominated the first moments of the crisis, residents told reporters at the scene. A young woman living on the same floor as the fire said the alarm didn’t wake…
Panama pushed for expanded representation and equitable financing at the World Health Organization this month. The nation’s delegation attended the 44th meeting of the World Health Organization Program, Budget and Administration Committee in Geneva, Switzerland. The meeting ran from May 13 to May 15. Representatives gathered to debate budget performance, governance reforms, audits and financial sustainability. Panama specifically called for greater participation from countries in the Region of the Americas. The delegation argued that funding distribution for global health remains unbalanced. “We need a system where resources translate into real outcomes for the most vulnerable populations,” said a Panamanian health…
A tragic bus accident in Panama’s Coclé Province has left one person dead and 44 others injured. The incident occurred on Sunday afternoon when a passenger bus traveling from Panama City to Bocas del Toro overturned. Two of the injured victims remain in serious condition. The accident happened near Platanal in Río Hato, a stretch of the Inter-American Highway heading toward the interior of the country. Emergency crews from the Fire Department and the Traffic Operations Directorate rushed to the scene. They worked quickly to treat the wounded and coordinate transfers to local hospitals. Emergency Response and Hospital Care Medical…
The Consumer Protection and Competition Defense Authority, known as ACODECO, has collected $592,401.47 in fines during the first four months of 2026. These penalties target businesses and economic agents that violated consumer protection laws in Panama. The figures cover the period from January through April. Officials confirmed the revenue stems from multiple types of violations. Some fines relate to consumer rights infringements. Others involve failures to provide benefits for retirees, persons with disabilities, and commercial control regulations. The ACODECO headquarters in Panama City handled the largest share of collections. That office brought in $300,026.72, more than half of the national…
The Panamanian government has launched a formal process to catalog every home, business, crop and tree that could be displaced by the massive Panama-David Railway project. The National Railway Secretariat published a tender worth more than 718,000 dollars on Tuesday. This contract will fund a detailed survey of structures and natural resources along the proposed route. The tender covers two distinct areas of work. First, crews will conduct a complete census of all buildings within the construction zone. This includes houses, sheds, businesses, fences and any other permanent structures. Each property will receive exact measurements, GPS coordinates and photographic documentation.…
Panama City, Panama. Gunfire shattered a quiet Saturday evening in Concepcion La Vieja. Two young people died after a shooter opened fire on a group gathered at a home. The attack happened around 10:00 p.m., leaving a 20-year-old and a 15-year-old dead. Emergency responders rushed both victims to a medical facility. They died before reaching the hospital. Witnesses told investigators the attacker approached a nearby point, fired multiple shots, and then fled the scene. The double homicide has shaken residents in the Concepcion La Vieja community. Many families were watching a soccer match when the shooting occurred. The match may…
A clandestine bar operating in Panama City’s Condado del Rey neighborhood has been shut down. The Panama City Mayor’s Office carried out the operation following multiple complaints from local residents. Officials confirmed the dismantling on Thursday. The establishment was located in the Betania Corregimiento and was run by individuals of Asian origin. Authorities from the Directorate of Permits and Compliance led the inspection. They found the business operating without any operational notice or proper licenses. Violations Discovered During Inspection Inspectors uncovered several serious infractions at the site. The bar lacked permits for illicit alcohol sales and had failed to meet…
The government of Panama has launched a massive push to improve drinking water production and supply. Officials confirmed simultaneous work is underway at 21 water treatment plant facilities across the country. The announcement came during a working visit to Colon province on Friday, May 15, 2026. Presidential Minister Juan Carlos Orillac made the statements during a tour of the Sabanita II and Sabanita I plants. Work at Sabanita II has been reactivated after years of paralysis. The Sabanita I facility is also undergoing rehabilitation and improvement. [Translated from Spanish] “The water issue that the government has been working on is…
Panama’s Ministry of Environment has officially reopened the iconic Cerro de la Cruz Trail in Altos de Campana National Park. The announcement came on Saturday, May 16, 2026, following eight months of intensive rehabilitation work. Officials confirmed the trail is now safer and more accessible for visitors. The project focused on strengthening infrastructure and enhancing the overall visitor experience. Located in the Panama Oeste province, this trail is one of the park’s most popular attractions. The renovation is part of a larger initiative funded by the Inter-American Development Bank project Panama. That initiative, titled “Support for the Conservation and Management…
The Panama Association of Social Workers held a critical meeting on Saturday, May 16 to evaluate pressing social challenges affecting the nation. Professionals gathered in Panama City to discuss rising unemployment, population aging and barriers to healthcare access. The organization identified these issues as urgent priorities requiring immediate strategic responses. During the session, social workers expressed deep concern over increasing mental health problems across the country. Many cases stem directly from economic pressures and family breakdowns. The Panama Association of Social Workers noted that emotional exhaustion has reached alarming levels among vulnerable populations. “We are seeing families collapse under financial…