Author: spieper
Panamanian President Jose Raul Mulino will travel to San Jose this Friday for an official state visit with Costa Rican counterpart Rodrigo Chaves Robles. The two leaders will meet to strengthen diplomatic, commercial, and cooperative ties between the neighboring nations during a series of high level meetings. Mulino will arrive with a substantial delegation including his wife, First Lady Maricel Cohen de Mulino, and key cabinet ministers. The visit will represent Mulino’s first official trip to Costa Rica since assuming the presidency in July 2024. Both governments are expected to emphasize the importance of maintaining strong bilateral relations during this…
Formal talks between workers and employers started this Wednesday to define Panama’s new minimum wage. Labor Minister Jackeline Muñoz inaugurated the negotiation table with a call for responsibility from both sides. The process is scheduled to last four weeks, aiming for a consensus that balances worker needs with economic stability.Minister Muñoz urged participants to set aside unrealistic expectations and focus on a sustainable outcome. She emphasized that the decisions made at this table affect not just those with jobs but also job seekers and the broader economy through potential ripple effects.”We do not have expectations and we call on others…
Panama secured its place in the FIFA World Cup 2026 with a decisive victory, setting off a wave of national celebration that promises to reshape the country’s economic and sporting landscape for years to come. The qualification, confirmed at a packed Stadium Rommel Fern, unlocks millions in direct funding and positions the nation for unprecedented international exposure. This sporting achievement is now catalyzing a complex financial engine involving everything from federation budgets and player bonuses to tourism strategies and infrastructure projects. Official projections indicate the qualification will inject tens of millions of dollars into the Panamanian economy through both direct…
Panama’s Ministry of Labor and Labor Development reports a net increase of 45,000 new employment contracts so far this year compared to the same period last year. The growth is primarily concentrated in the logistics, hospitality, and general services sectors, offering a complex picture of the nation’s economic recovery. While the government highlights this as a positive indicator, business leaders caution that the quality and permanence of these jobs remain a significant concern for the long-term health of the labor market.Labor Minister Jackeline Muñoz presented the data this week, acknowledging the nuanced reality behind the numbers. She confirmed that the…
Panamanian authorities destroyed 98,491 firearms, ammunition, and accessories in a public security demonstration on Wednesday. The National Migration Service joined the Public Security Ministry for the event at the National Police headquarters in Ancon. This coordinated action aimed to permanently remove dangerous materials from circulation and reduce violent crime. Massive Weapons Cache Eliminated Officials oversaw the destruction of a massive stockpile of weaponry. The final tally included 1,923 firearms, 92,894 rounds of ammunition, 2,971 magazines, and 703 accessories. This operation forms a core part of the government’s broader strategy to enhance citizen security and prevent criminal activities. The sheer volume…
Young Panamanians can now apply for placements at elite United States service academies starting in 2026. The Ministry of Public Security (MINSEG) and the United States Embassy in Panama announced the joint initiative this week. This program aims to develop future leaders through international military and police training.The application window for this competitive selection process will remain open until Wednesday, December 10 at 4:00 p.m. Candidates must be between 18 and 22 years old and possess a strong command of the English language. Successful applicants could receive placements at institutions like the United States Military Academy (West Point) and the…
The Panamanian Cabinet Council has authorized a major consolidation of state telecommunications services. This move will centralize all government communications through a single network starting in 2026, a strategy projected to save the nation at least 39.1 million dollars annually. The Cabinet Council (Panama) gave the green light to the National Authority for Government Innovation (Panama) to manage the new contracts.Three separate resolutions formalized the approval for different service components. These include data center operations, public internet access, and integrated communication links combining data transport and security platforms. Officials describe the initiative as a critical step toward modernizing the state’s…
Panama’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a formal rebuke to the Chinese embassy on Wednesday, rejecting what it calls interference in the country’s domestic politics. The diplomatic confrontation follows a demand from Chinese diplomats that ten Panamanian lawmakers cancel an upcoming official trip to Taiwan. This dispute tests the bilateral relationship seven years after Panama switched its diplomatic recognition from Taipei to Beijing.The government statement described the Chinese embassy’s actions as an unacceptable attempt to influence Panama’s political decisions. Officials emphasized that conducting foreign policy remains the exclusive power of the executive branch under President José Raúl Mulino. The strongly…
Panama and India formalized five new cooperation agreements this Tuesday, November 18, 2025, launching a series of rapid impact projects. The signing ceremony took place at the Paz Hall in the Palacio de Las Garzas, advancing initiatives funded by a grant assistance framework both nations agreed upon last February. These projects target immediate improvements in community infrastructure, education, and technology.Key Panamanian officials, including Minister of the Presidency Juan Carlos Orillac and National Secretary of Science, Technology and Innovation Eduardo Ortega Barría, participated in the event. Indian Ambassador to Panama Sumit Seth represented his government. Foreign Minister Javier Martínez-Acha and First…
The Electoral Tribunal of Panama presented a cultural gala on Monday featuring the film “1821 La independencia de Panamá de España.” The event, a collaboration with the State Radio and Television System and Colina Fine Art Gallery & Auction, aimed to strengthen national democracy through artistic expression. It commemorated the 204th anniversary of Panama’s separation from Spanish rule. Held at the tribunal’s headquarters, the gala included a live performance by the film’s cast. This opening act preceded a three-day exhibition of paintings and sculptures detailing the historic independence movement. The artworks focused on the precise historical circumstances surrounding the patriotic…