Author: Sebastian Pieper
When residents of Boca la Caja began posting videos of foul-smelling, discolored water gushing toward Panama Bay, they probably didn’t imagine their social media complaints would trigger one of the country’s most aggressive environmental crackdowns. Those citizen reports, shared widely in mid-2025, caught the attention of Panama’s Ministry of Environment and ultimately led to a record pollution fine of more than 1.1 million balboas against a corporation that has operated along the bay for decades. How Dye Tests Uncovered the Untreated Discharge The investigation took off in July 2025 when technicians from the Directorate of Environmental Performance Verification, known as…
When the engines fire up at the Autódromo Panamá in December 2026, the track won’t be dominated by full-sized race cars. Instead, a fleet of high-performance karts will take center stage as Panama welcomes the IAME Panamerican Championship, a premier karting championship that draws elite talent from across the Western Hemisphere. The three-day event, scheduled for December 11 through 13, marks a significant moment for Panama’s growing reputation as a motorsport destination in Latin America. Panama’s Ascent in International Motorsport For years, Panama has quietly built the infrastructure and expertise needed to host world-class racing events. The selection of the…
A Panamanian diplomat crossed into active combat territory to personally escort two citizens out of Ukraine, a mission that will see Edmar Camacho and Efraín Calvo arrive home safely today, on Sunday, August 9, 2026. The two Panamanians return from Ukraine after what the Foreign Ministry described as a complex consular operation, one that required direct coordination with Ukrainian authorities and an overland journey through the war zone to neighboring Poland. Their evacuation marks the final piece of a broader repatriation effort involving seven Panamanian nationals linked to the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war. A Diplomat Crosses Into the War Zone Aldo…
A violent altercation that landed a former municipal employee in the hospital has spiraled into a full-blown constitutional crisis, pitting President José Raúl Mulino directly against Panama City Mayor Mayer Mizrachi. The president’s sharp condemnation of the newly formed Municipal Police came Saturday, marking the most direct intervention yet in a dispute that now sits before the Supreme Court. With the phrase President Against Mayor framing the escalating tension, the future of local law enforcement in Panama’s capital hangs in the balance. Hospital Confrontation Sparks National Firestorm The controversy erupted into public view after events on Monday, August 3, when…
Forty lots of Panama’s finest specialty coffee now sit under lock and key, guarded by external auditors in a quiet office, waiting for the moment they’ll face the world’s most demanding buyers. The international Panama coffee auction scheduled for September 23 represents the culmination of months of meticulous farm work, rigorous tasting panels, and a three-decade gamble that transformed a struggling agricultural sector into a global luxury market. Each sealed bag carries not just beans but the weight of a nation’s reputation for producing some of the most expensive and sought-after coffee on the planet. A Global Stage for Panama…
Panama tax collection climbed 13.3 percent during the first six months of 2026, a surge that tax officials attribute to a creative scheme turning everyday shoppers into unpaid tax auditors. According to preliminary figures from the Directorate General of Revenue (DGI), the Impuesto de Transferencia de Bienes Muebles y Servicios (ITBMS ), similar to VAT tax in other countries, brought in B/.563.4 million by June 30. That represents B/.66.3 million more than the same period last year. A 13.3 Percent Rise in Consumption Tax Revenue The ITBMS functions much like a value-added tax, with a standard rate of 7 percent…
In a country where centuries-old cathedrals stand a few blocks from gleaming Baha’i domes and Jewish synagogues, a quiet revolution of understanding is taking shape. The fourth edition of open temples week will welcome Panamanians into sacred spaces often hidden behind ornate doors, from August 10 through 15, as twelve distinct faith communities join forces to replace suspicion with conversation. Organizers from the Interreligious Committee of Panama announced the initiative this Friday, framing it as a direct response to the polarization and social fragmentation that dominate headlines across the Americas. The week’s program, which drew roughly 2,500 visitors during last…
While the Dutch brewing giant moved to shrink its global workforce by more than 3,000 positions, the Heineken job cuts announcement bypassed Panama entirely. The company confirmed the layoffs in its midyear 2026 financial report, pointing to softening beer consumption in key markets like the United States and Mexico. But in Panama, a different narrative played out: volumes grew between 4% and 6% during the same period, and local staffing levels held firm. Heineken Job Cuts Part of a 500-Million-Euro Savings Plan The elimination of roughly 3,000 full-time equivalent roles unfolded across the first half of 2026 as Heineken pushed…
Walking through the cobblestoned lanes of Panama City’s Casco Antiguo, visitors now encounter an officially recognized thousand hats street that turns an ordinary walk into a riot of color and tradition. More than a thousand sombreros hang suspended above Calle Primera in the San Felipe district, a canopy of woven artistry that has finally earned its place on official maps. The Municipal Council of Panama formalized what locals and tourists already sensed, this narrow corridor deserved a name that matched its vibrant identity. The designation arrived through Accord No. 204, a legislative nod that transforms the former Calle Primera into…
The crackle of simulated gunfire across the Pacific entrance to the waterway signaled a new phase in the multinational canal exercise known as Panamax 2026. Special operations teams from multiple nations converged on a suspicious vessel early this week, replaying a scenario in which intelligence suggested terrorists were attempting to transit the canal with hostile intent. The drill, unfolding since August 3, brought together more than 1,700 personnel from 21 countries to test how allied forces would protect the crucial trade route against evolving security challenges. Simulated Assault Recreates Vessel Takeover Scenario Three tactical boats, each carrying roughly 15 operators,…