Author: spieper

People living in the Chivo Chivo and Kuna Nega areas near Panama City say isolated roads are being used by hitmen to abandon murder victims. Community testimonies point to at least three recent cases that have heightened fear, with bodies discovered in hard-to-reach locations with little police oversight. One specific location, a property beside the two-kilometer mark on the corridor connecting Chilibre to the capital near Kuna Nega, has seen scattered human remains found. Police and officials from the Ministry of Public (Panama) have conducted investigations at the site. Residents describe a growing sense of dread as their neighborhoods become…

The Panama City Council voted this week to establish a paid parking system for a section of the popular coastal beltway. Council members approved Mayor Mayer Mizrachi’s proposal with overwhelming support, though questions about jurisdictional authority could complicate its implementation. Approved on Tuesday, March 24, the measure specifically targets parking at the Cultural Center in the Puerta Sur sector. This area is part of the expansive third phase of the city’s linear coastal park. The council’s finance committee reviewed the proposal for eight days before sending it to a full vote, where it passed with 24 votes in favor. Details…

Copa Airlines has added 42 new first officers to its flight crew roster. The Panamanian carrier celebrated their graduation this week as part of a strategic push to develop local talent for the growing aviation sector. These pilots completed their training at the Latin American Higher Academy of Aviation, known as ALAS, which maintains a direct partnership with the airline.The graduation ceremony took place in Panama City. It highlights a concerted effort to build a pipeline of qualified aviation professionals within Panama. Industry expansion both domestically and across Latin America is driving this demand for specialized personnel.Strategic Investment in Local…

Panamanian and British officials gathered this week to commemorate a pivotal moment in regional diplomacy. The events mark the approaching 200th anniversary of the Congress of Panama, a foundational meeting for international cooperation in the Americas. The activities included a formal reception and a historical tour, underscoring shared history and contemporary partnership. The United Kingdom’s Ambassador to Panama, Greg Houston, hosted the reception to welcome visiting British historian Professor Geoffrey Hicks. Hicks, from the University of East Anglia, is in the country for academic events tied to the bicentennial. Officials from both nations emphasized the enduring relevance of the 1826…

Panama’s top diplomat met with ten detained Panamanian nationals in Havana this week. Foreign Minister Javier Martínez-Acha confirmed the visit occurred during his official trip to Cuba, which began on March 25, 2026.The citizens have been held by Cuban authorities since late February. They face accusations of committing crimes against the nation’s Constitutional order, charges that could carry prison sentences of up to eight years.Minister Confirms Humanitarian TreatmentMartínez-Acha held extensive talks with the detainees. He assessed their health and verified they are receiving humanitarian treatment and proper legal assistance, according to official sources from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of…

Construction crews are putting the final touches on a major road expansion project in the Villa Zaita sector of Panama City. Virginia Martinez, the Roadway Manager for the CLPN Consortium, confirmed the work is on track for delivery by the end of April. This infrastructure upgrade is a key component of the larger Fourth Bridge over the Canal project, which recently passed the 27 percent completion mark.The current work focuses on finishing tasks like cleaning, joint sealing, and preparing for new road markings. Installation of landscaping and greenery is also underway. These final steps will convert the construction zone into…

Panamanian security forces intercepted two separate attempts to smuggle prohibited items into prisons this week. Officials at the La Joyita and La Joya penitentiary centers thwarted the efforts, one involving a backpack carrier and another using drones. The incidents highlight ongoing challenges in securing prison perimeters against innovative smuggling methods. The National Police of Panama apprehended a 46-year-old man near La Joyita prison. Monitoring personnel first alerted agents to suspicious activity in the area of the old conjugal visit zone. A search operation located the individual hiding in dense brush. He was carrying three bags filled with prohibited goods. The…

A Panamanian legislative committee began reviewing a proposal on Wednesday that would impose a new fee on international transit passengers. The plan could generate an estimated $114 million annually, with the majority of funds directed toward public children’s and cancer hospitals. The bill, known as Legislative Proposal 131, was introduced by deputy Benicio Robinson Gonzalez. It calls for a $10 Airport Facility Usage Fee for Transit (TUIAT) for travelers using Panamanian airports, primarily Tocumen International Airport, as a connection point without entering the country. The proposal entered the sponsorship phase in the National Assembly’s Economic Committee on March 25. Funding…

Panama’s Transit Police will implement a special mobility operation for Holy Week celebrations in the historic Casco Antiguo (Panama City) district. The operations begin this Friday, March 27, with the Viernes de Dolores procession and continue through April 5. Authorities expect over 250,000 visitors for the eight scheduled religious events, prompting significant traffic restrictions to ensure pedestrian safety. Lieutenant Raymundo Sandoval of the Transit Police confirmed the plan. Vehicular detours will be active on nights when processions occur, primarily after 7:00 p.m. The goal is to manage the influx of faithful and tourists while maintaining access for emergency services. Official…

A subsidiary of Hong Kong’s CK Hutchison Holdings has significantly increased its financial claim against the Republic of Panama. The Panama Ports Company (PPC) announced on Tuesday that its damages claim in an ongoing international arbitration now surpasses two billion dollars. This escalation follows the Panamanian government’s seizure of two major port terminals earlier this year.The company filed a supplemental claim under the rules of the International Chamber of Commerce arbitration. This legal action responds directly to what PPC calls the state’s illegal takeover of the Balboa and Cristobal port facilities. These terminals are critically located near the entrances of…