Author: spieper

Powerful winds and severe ocean swells collapsed a key navigation tower and damaged a major pier in Panama’s Colón Province on Thursday. The Panama Maritime Authority (AMP) confirmed the incidents forced a temporary suspension of operations at the affected port, creating immediate logistical delays. The signaling tower, located at the entrance to Manzanillo Bay, fell completely. Officials described the structure as vital for guiding vessels safely into the area’s internal waters. Simultaneously, intense waves caused structural damage to a section of the pier at the Colón Maritime Services Terminal (TMSC) and displaced rocks onto the maneuvering area. Emergency Response and…

Panama will host its flagship international trade fair, Expocomer 2026, from March 10 to 12 at the Amador Convention Center. The event, organized by the Panama Chamber of Commerce, Industries and Agriculture, integrates five specialized exhibitions under one roof with a clear goal. It seeks to generate more than $200 million in future commercial transactions by emphasizing in-person business connections.The combined exhibition space will exceed 15,500 square meters, hosting over 600 companies from more than 30 countries. This year’s integrated format represents a strategic evolution for the long-running trade show. It aims to provide a comprehensive business ecosystem for international…

The Panamanian Maritime Authority (AMP) issued a stern warning to boat operators this Friday. Officials stated they will be inflexible with any vessel in the Bocas del Toro Province that fails to comply with safety regulations during ongoing adverse weather.Heavy rains and difficult sea conditions have prompted an official prevention notice for the Caribbean archipelago. Authorities are on high alert, specifically focusing on the safety of passenger transport between the islands and the mainland. The AMP and the National Civil Protection System (Sinaproc) are conducting permanent monitoring of maritime and climatic conditions in the region.In a clear directive to the…

A United States federal court in Los Angeles has sentenced Jorge Ruben Camargo Clarke, alias Chollo Chorillo, the leader of the Panama-based Baghdad gang, for his role in a conspiracy to distribute multi-ton quantities of cocaine destined for the United States. The conviction followed a high-profile trial that dismantled the operational structure of one of Panama’s most dangerous criminal networks, according to a statement from the U.S. Embassy in Panama. Camargo Clarke, widely known by his alias “Cholo Chorrillo,” was found guilty on all counts of international drug trafficking. Authorities captured him in Costa Rica in 2022 as he attempted…

Panama’s Ministry of Environment has published the third monthly progress report for its comprehensive audit of the Cobre Panama mine. The document covers work conducted between December 8, 2025, and January 9, 2026, as the government continues its detailed review of the mining operation’s compliance with environmental commitments.The audit is being executed by SGS Panama Control Services Inc. under the direct supervision of the ministry, known as MiAmbiente. This phase represents the ongoing multidisciplinary integration of the audit process, which follows specific terms of reference established by the environmental authority.Audit Progress on Document Review and Field InspectionsDuring the reporting period,…

Thousands of music fans gathered at Panama City’s Parque Omar on Friday for the opening of the Musicalion 2026 festival. The event’s “Interstellar Night” theme set the stage for a weekend of diverse musical performances and family-friendly activities that began at 4:00 p.m. local time. Organizers reported a strong turnout across all age groups as the park filled with attendees eager for the festival’s eclectic lineup. The opening evening featured not only concerts but also interactive activations hosted by local media partners TVMax and TVN Noticias. These additions provided a more immersive experience for visitors throughout the grounds. Festival Director…

Panama’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs launched a specialized cyberdiplomacy training program for its career diplomats this week. The two-day workshop, part of the Panama 2026 Cyberdiplomacy Training Program, aims to solidify the nation’s international reputation as a leading provider of digital services.Acting Foreign Minister Carlos A. Hoyos inaugurated the session on February 4, 2026. He framed the initiative as a core element of Panama’s foreign policy and national development strategy.Strategic Pillars for a Digital EconomyOfficials stated that cybersecurity and cyberdiplomacy are now strategic pillars. Panama is actively promoting a national strategy for exporting modern services, many of which are digital.…

Panama will host the Ninth Meeting of Ministers of Public Security of the Americas in October 2026. The Organization of American States Permanent Council formally approved the decision on Wednesday, February 4, accepting Panama’s offer to serve as the venue.The selection follows a proposal made by the Panamanian government during the OAS General Assembly’s fifty-fifth regular session. Member states endorsed Panama’s bid through the Santiago de los Caballeros recommendations, which were approved at the Eighth Meeting of Ministers held in the Dominican Republic in June 2025.”Panama is honored to welcome our hemisphere’s security leaders in 2026,” said Janaina Tewaney, Panama’s…

Panama will implement a landmark consumer protection law mandating all-inclusive pricing starting June 20, 2026. Known as Law 473, the legislation requires all advertised prices to be the final amount a customer pays, including all taxes and mandatory fees. The Government of Panama enacted the law in June 2025 and published its regulatory framework, Executive Decree No. 2, in January 2026.This new rule fundamentally changes how prices are displayed for goods and services nationwide. Businesses must now present a single, comprehensive figure that reflects the complete cost at the point of advertisement. The law aims to eliminate checkout surprises by…

Panama’s National Energy Secretariat confirmed new, higher fuel prices for a two-week period starting Friday, February 6. The price adjustments affect all major fuel types sold across the country and are linked directly to rising international market costs.The regulatory body sets national reference prices every fourteen days. This latest increase reflects a significant spike in the international prices for refined petroleum products. Officials cited severe winter weather disrupting United States production as the primary driver.”During the present period, international quotations registered an upward trend, driven by extraordinary climatic factors in the United States,” the Energy Secretariat stated. [Translated from Spanish]…