Author: Editorial Team
Panama’s digital driver license still has no official launch date. The National Authority for Government Innovation confirmed it completed all technical and cybersecurity validations. Yet the Land Transit and Transport Authority continues testing the platform. The Panama Digital Driver’s License remains in a technical validation phase. Authorities said operational training for inspectors and police officers must finish first. The system works. The rollout waits on human preparation. Technical Hurdles Delay Digital License Implementation Adolfo Fábrega, administrator of the National Authority for Government Innovation, confirmed his agency finished its work. “We at the AIG completed the technical validations, cybersecurity validations and…
Panamanian migration authorities arrested Richard Werstine, a 56-year-old American fugitive, on Wednesday in Panama City. The US Marshals Service had sought him for over three decades in connection with a 1993 murder in Detroit. Werstine was enjoying a quiet afternoon at Urracá Park on Avenida Balboa, wearing sneakers, shorts and a sporty sweater. He looked like any other tourist. But a joint operation between the US Marshals Service and Panamanian authorities ended his life on the run. Officers from the Panama National Migration Service approached Werstine during a routine patrol in the pet area of the park. He carried no…
The commercial conflict between Costa Rica and Panama has entered a new and more serious phase. Costa Rican President Laura Fernandez confirmed her government will escalate the fight over agricultural export restrictions to the diplomatic arena. She made the announcement during celebrations for Farmers’ Day. Fernandez described the situation as a “commercial blockade” that directly hurts potato, onion, and dairy producers in her country. The dispute centers on what Costa Rica considers unfair barriers to the Panamanian market. Technical conversations coordinated by the Ministry of Foreign Trade of Costa Rica have failed to produce results. “The issue of the commercial…
The Panama Social Security Fund (CSS) has announced a data update initiative for patients affected by Diethylene glycol poisoning. These individuals receive a lifetime pension from the state. The program runs from Monday, May 18 to Friday, May 29, 2026. Patients must visit designated health units between 8:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. The CSS confirmed this schedule applies to all locations of the Special Toxicology Center nationwide. Officials said the goal is to keep the database current and streamline administrative processes. This should improve how health services are delivered to victims. Victims Must Coordinate With Liaison Doctors The Panama Social…
The Panama Tourism Authority has placed the spotlight on Colon province’s natural and cultural treasures. The International Tourism Forum 2026, organized by the Panamanian Association of Business Executives (Apede), brought together officials, business leaders, and tourism representatives this week. Their goal was clear: showcase the Caribbean coast’s potential to both the nation and the world. The forum highlighted attractions in Costa Arriba and Costa Abajo, two distinct regions of Colon province. But beneath the discussion of pristine beaches and economic growth, a deeper concern emerged. Security issues in the province have become a central talking point for industry leaders. Security…
The Technological University of Panama has opened a pilot project in Aguadulce, Coclé province. This initiative uses black soldier fly larvae to convert organic waste into valuable resources. Officials announced the launch this week as a direct response to the country’s growing solid waste problem. Panama generates more than 2,000 tons of organic waste each year. Much of this material ends up in open-air landfills across Coclé province. The resulting leachate production creates serious environmental contamination and public health risks. The university developed this project with support from the National Secretariat of Science, Technology and Innovation, known as Senacyt, along…
Panama City has activated a new digital system for temporary vehicle circulation permits. The Mayor’s Office launched this initiative to modernize municipal processes and speed up vehicle paperwork. Citizens can now access their permits faster through digital channels. The system went live this week for the 2026 regular plan vehicles. The new program offers two distinct options for obtaining the permit. Drivers can complete the entire process online through the Panama City Mayor’s Office Digital Platform. Alternatively, they can pick up a physical sticker at the Plate Delivery Center known as CEP. The digital option requires no physical visit to…
Panama’s tourism industry is calling for stricter penalties against criminals who target visitors. The National Chamber of Tourism of Panama, known as Camtur, made the demand this week. The push comes after a violent robbery of an elderly foreign couple on Avenida Balboa sparked fresh concerns about safety in key tourist zones. Nadkyi Duque, president of the National Chamber of Tourism, said the incident was isolated but alarming. She stressed that Panama must protect its reputation as a safe destination for international travelers. The tourism sector generates billions of dollars for the national economy every year. “We will work to…
Panama’s President José Raúl Mulino has publicly defended the nation’s pursuit of membership in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. The president stated that joining the OECD would unlock new investment opportunities and strengthen institutional frameworks. He made these remarks during his weekly press conference on Thursday. The push for membership represents a major shift in Panama’s international strategy. Mulino previously held critical views toward the organization. But he now argues that Panama’s current circumstances demand a more integrated global role. “The country must always seek better scenarios than where we currently stand,” Mulino said. [Translated from Spanish] Mulino…
The Panamanian government has announced a series of infrastructure projects and road improvements for Puerto Armuelles in Chiriqui Province. The plans include new roads, a bypass study, and construction work designed to boost regional connectivity. Officials confirmed the initiative on Wednesday. Public Works Minister José Luis Andrade made the announcement. He confirmed that emergency repair projects from the heavy rains of November and December 2024 are now fully complete. “When the rains came in 2024, all emergency projects were completed at 100 percent and were delivered,” Andrade said. [Translated from Spanish] “We are studying a route that will cut travel…