Author: spieper
The Social Security Fund of Panama has issued a renewed and urgent call for medical specialists to fill critical vacancies in the country’s interior regions. The Caja de Seguro Social (CSS) made the announcement this week, aiming to ensure timely care for patients and equitable access to health services nationwide.Officials described the hiring of specialists as one of the most pressing immediate challenges facing the public health system. Historical limitations in accessing specialized care continue to plague several provinces, creating significant backlogs in patient treatment.Recruitment Efforts Meet Low ResponseDespite opening formal recruitment processes in compliance with all legal procedures, the…
The Embassy of the United States in Panama has announced two open calls for its 2026 Study of the U.S. Institutes (SUSI) program. These initiatives target Panamanian secondary school teachers and university students, offering fully-funded academic training in the United States for five weeks next summer. The announcements were made public this week, with application deadlines set for early January 2026.These competitive exchanges are designed to strengthen educational capacity and foster mutual understanding. They represent a continued investment in people-to-people ties between the two nations. The programs will be administered by accredited U.S. universities and cover all participant expenses, including…
The Panamanian Association of Business Executives (APEDE) has declared unemployment, labor informality, and corruption the nation’s most pressing issues heading into 2026. APEDE President Giulia De Sanctis delivered the stark assessment in her year-end review, framing 2025 as a period of intense social tension and complex decisions for Panama.De Sanctis described the past year as feeling like a condensed decade. She argued the country accumulated conflicts, social fractures, and hard lessons within a few short months, a situation she warned must not become normalized.”If something 2025 leaves us with is a shared feeling, we did not live a year, we…
Weekend afternoons in Panama City’s historic Casco Antiguo now pulse with a new rhythm. The Plaza de la Catedral, facing the iconic Panama City Cathedral, has become a spontaneous stage for street performers. Musicians from Panama and beyond are drawing crowds of locals and international tourists, creating an impromptu cultural exchange funded by appreciative listeners.This organic transformation of the public square highlights a growing trend of artistic activation in the UNESCO World Heritage site. The music provides a soundtrack for visitors exploring the area’s colonial architecture and cobblestone streets. It also offers a vital source of income for the performers…
Panamanian President Jose Raul Mulino led a national tribute on Thursday for a police captain killed in the line of duty. The ceremony honored Captain Jose Isaza Melo, who died on December 12 while serving in the Caimitillo district.The solemn event took place at the headquarters of the National Police of Panama. Captain Isaza Melo had dedicated 25 years of service to the force before his death. Officials reported his passing occurred during active duty operations, though specific details were not immediately released.President Mulino offered condolences directly to the officer’s parents, Jose Isaza and Mireya Melo. The President of Panama…
The National Ballet of Panama concluded its 2025 performance season this week with a celebrated run of the classic holiday ballet, The Nutcracker. Every performance sold out, the Ministry of Culture confirmed, cementing the production as a major cultural event. The season’s finale, held in Panama City and Colon, doubled its planned number of shows due to overwhelming public demand.Artistic Director Sasha Adamovic and international choreographer David Makhateli led the production. Makhateli, a former principal dancer with London’s Royal Ballet, created a new staging exclusively for the Panamanian company. His involvement brought a fresh and theatrical vision to the beloved…
Panama Metro, S.A. will begin installing the structural beams for its new underground monorail line on Monday, December 22. This crucial step advances the construction of Line 3, a major infrastructure project designed to transform transportation in Panama West. The work marks a decisive phase for the tunnel, which currently shows 46 percent overall progress. Crews will transport and assemble the massive running beams that will form the track bed inside the subterranean portion of the line. Operations are scheduled from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on weekdays. Officials confirmed no beam transfers will occur on December 24, 25, 30,…
The flow of migrants through Panama’s treacherous Darién Gap has collapsed this year, falling by over 99 percent according to official figures. Panamanian authorities directly attribute this unprecedented drop to new border control measures enacted by United States President Donald Trump and reinforced security operations in neighboring countries. In a parallel shift, the nation is now witnessing a significant reverse migration of people returning south from the U.S.Only 3,086 migrants crossed the jungle region in 2025, a staggering decline from the 302,203 people who made the journey in 2024. This represents a 99.1 percent reduction in one of the Western…
The Ministry of Agricultural Development (Panama) has initiated a comprehensive national agenda to develop organic farming across the country. Minister Roberto Linares announced the strategy, which aims to transform Panama’s agricultural model toward greater sustainability and competitiveness. The plan focuses on creating a more sustainable and healthy production system. It aligns the national agricultural sector with global trends in responsible consumption and environmental protection. The ministry views this shift as a core component of improving national food security. Building Institutional Capacity for National Rollout As a first step, the MIDA conducted a specialized training program for its technical staff from…
Argentina, Paraguay, Panama, Bolivia, Ecuador, and Peru issued a joint declaration on Friday expressing profound concern over Venezuela’s severe migration, humanitarian, and social crisis. The statement, released after a high-level meeting on December 20, also condemned the ongoing human rights situation within the troubled South American nation. The collective pronouncement marks a significant diplomatic move by the six countries, which span South and Central America. It directly calls on Venezuelan authorities to adhere to international human rights standards. This action aligns with repeated warnings from global bodies about persistent arbitrary detentions and forced disappearances in Venezuela. Reaffirming Democratic Principles In…