Author: spieper
Two former Panamanian electoral officials have issued a stark warning about the nation’s political system. Guillermo Márquez Amado, a former magistrate of the Electoral Tribunal of Panama, and Boris Barrios, a former electoral prosecutor, argue that current laws systematically disadvantage independent candidates. Their critique came during a November 23rd television program focused on the ongoing work of the National Commission for Electoral Reforms.Despite acknowledging progress since the 1990s, both experts contend that the system remains fundamentally skewed. They identify specific legal hurdles and institutional practices that protect established political parties from genuine competition. The core of the problem, they suggest,…
A new Panamanian film chronicling the dramatic life of boxer Panama Al Brown arrives in national theaters this week. “Brown,” which began filming in 2022, will premiere on Thursday, November 27, telling a pivotal chapter in the story of Latin America’s first world boxing champion. The production represents a major cinematic undertaking for the country’s film industry, involving over 450 people between technicians and artists.Director Ricardo Aguilar Navarro announced the release date during a press conference attended by producer Sixta Diaz and actors Gabriel Perez Mateo, Gabriela Gnazzo, and Abdiel Tapia. The film focuses on the boxer’s struggles against racism…
Former Panamanian President Mireya Moscoso issued a stark warning about her political organization on Sunday, November 23. She declared the Panameñista Party is experiencing its worst crisis and is effectively dead under its current leadership.Moscoso spoke just before a critical National Extraordinary Convention where members were set to vote on new party leadership. Her comments directly challenged the direction of current party head José Isabel Blandón. She called for an urgent and total transformation to save the historic political group from irrelevance.A Call for Doctrinal RevivalThe former president argued the party’s salvation lies in a return to its foundational principles.…
The Panama City Mayor’s Office has formally awarded a 2.3 million dollar contract to overhaul three public swimming pools in the districts of Betania, San Francisco, and Calidonia. The contract with Consorcio Nexus became official on November 21 after the mandatory legal waiting period for challenges concluded without any claims being filed. This major investment aims to modernize community recreational facilities that have been closed for weeks due to safety concerns.Official documents show the administration issued the award through Resolution No. 068-CD-2025 on October 29, 2025. The approved budget for the comprehensive renovation project totals $2,337,777.00. Panama’s national public procurement…
Shoppers across Panama are gearing up for major retail discounts as the annual Black Friday sales event approaches this Friday, November 28. In response, the country’s Authority for Consumer Protection and Defense of Competition, known as Acodeco, is launching special verification operations starting Monday. These inspections aim to ensure advertised promotions are legitimate and that businesses provide consumers with clear, truthful information.The regulatory agency confirmed it will deploy teams to monitor retail establishments nationwide. Their primary focus involves verifying that discount claims are accurate and that products, even when heavily discounted, maintain their mandatory warranty periods. Consumer expectations are running…
A court in David, Chiriquí Province, has suspended a hearing to legalize evidence obtained during a police raid on Ukrainian citizens. Defense lawyer Abelino Bonilla confirmed the delay, alleging the investigation suffers from procedural irregularities and violated his clients’ constitutional guarantees. The case centers on a search and seizure operation that uncovered a cache of weapons and other items inside a private residence.Bonilla explained his clients are currently in the evidence presentation phase of the proceedings. He characterized the initial police diligence as a flawed process. The Ukrainian nationals, who were the subjects of the raid, are no longer in…
Panama will host another major joint military training exercise with the United States later this month. The Jungle Warfare School will serve as the primary location for the drills, which are scheduled to run from November 28 to December 18, 2025.Panama’s National Aeronaval Service, known as Senan, officially confirmed the exercise in a statement released on Friday, November 21. These drills represent a continuing commitment to the longstanding security cooperation agreements between the two nations. The program aims to significantly enhance the tactical readiness of Panama’s specialized security units.”These trainings form part of the bilateral cooperation agreements between both countries…
The Panamanian Ministry of Agricultural Development (MIDA) has initiated a full leadership transition for the La Chorrera International Fair. The current board’s term has officially expired, prompting the ministry to oversee the selection of new patrons for the major regional event. This administrative shift aims to ensure transparency and prevent unauthorized financial activities during the changeover period.Official communications from the ministry confirm that the outgoing board no longer holds the authority to commit resources or enter into agreements on behalf of the fair. The Ministry of Agricultural Development (Panama) issued a public advisory to protect users, providers, and event organizers…
Panamanian President Jose Raul Mulino confirmed he threatened to set the country on fire if electoral authorities blocked his presidential candidacy last year. The president made the statement during a ceremony in Costa Rica on November 21, then defended his actions the following day against mounting criticism. Mulino argued he was fighting a powerful, entrenched system determined to invalidate his campaign.His remarks referenced a pivotal 2024 conversation with magistrates of Panama’s Electoral Tribunal. The controversy erupted just hours after Costa Rican President Rodrigo Chaves awarded him the Grand Cross of the Order of Juan Mora Fernandez, that nation’s highest honor…
Panamanian President Jose Raul Mulino confirmed his administration is studying United States anti racketeering legislation as a model for a new organized crime law. The proposed legislation would target criminal networks operating both within Panama and across international borders. Mulino announced the initiative on Thursday, November 20, stating his team is seeking international advice and reviewing legal frameworks from the US, France, and Italy.The explicit mention of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act holds particular significance due to its historical impact on dismantling complex criminal enterprises. This US law, passed in 1970, fundamentally changed how prosecutors pursued organized crime…