Author: Sebastian Pieper

Panama has officially launched a comprehensive drug policy that will guide government actions through 2036. The plan, approved by the National Commission for the Study and Prevention of Drug-Related Crimes (Conapred), represents a shift toward balancing public health interventions with law enforcement measures. The resolution was published in the Official Gazette on July 10, 2026, after being signed two days earlier through Resolution No. 33-2026. The development of this strategy did not happen overnight. Work on the policy began back in June 2023, when Conapred commissioners approved a project called “Formulation of the National Drug Policy.” This initial phase focused…

The white handkerchiefs were meant to signal peace. Instead, they became targets. On July 10, 1987, thousands of Panamanians gathered along Via Espana in Panama City, waving white flags and wearing white clothing. They came as professionals, students, and workers. They came as families. They came believing that a peaceful demonstration could topple a regime. By nightfall, hundreds lay wounded, thousands were arrested, and the country had entered a new chapter of state-sponsored terror. Panamanians call it Viernes Negro (Black Friday) Panama. It was not a shopping event. It was a massacre of civic conscience. The Spark That Lit the…

In Panama City’s Parque Lefevre neighborhood, a team of developers is putting the finishing touches on a mobile application that could reshape the country’s transportation landscape. The app, called Alco, represents an ambitious attempt by traditional taxi drivers to compete directly with established digital ride-hailing platforms. David González, operations manager for Alco, confirmed that the platform first launched back in 2019 but was pulled from the market for major technological upgrades. “We currently have a development team helping us create new security integrations and payment methods to offer the country a new platform,” González said. ‘We currently have a development…

Inside Panama’s overcrowded prisons, a power shift is underway. The country’s new prison director has declared that incarcerated individuals will no longer control the facilities. Chanan Singh, recently appointed to lead the Panama prison system, announced a sweeping reclassification of inmates starting this week. His message was blunt. “The deprived of liberty are not going to be in charge of the system,” Singh said during a television interview. “The state and the penitentiary system are going to assume their responsibility. The control of the deprived of liberty within the penitentiary system is over.” [Translated from Spanish] The reclassification process will…

Kevin Yamal Cobel Miranda has spent half a year preparing for the biggest challenge of his young life. The 14-year-old will face more than 70 arithmetic problems in just five minutes, competing against hundreds of children from around the world. But when asked about the upcoming tournament, he does not talk about nerves or pressure. He talks about his country. “I am very excited because at last they can come to see our beautiful country, meet its people, its culture, the food. They will know that Panama is a very beautiful country,” Miranda said. Aloha Mental Arithmetic has chosen Panama…

Mika was found dying in a drainage ditch. The mixed-breed dog, roughly seven years old, lay in a gutter in the Paraíso sector of San Miguelito, too weak to lift her head. She suffered from severe anemia, skin problems, and heat stroke. Her body was ravaged by neglect. Today, after weeks of intensive veterinary care, Mika is healthy. She is described as sweet and sociable. This July, she will stand among nearly one hundred other rescued animals, hoping someone finally gives her a home. Her story represents a larger crisis in Panama, where adult pets are consistently overlooked by potential…

Panama’s rice farmers have a clear message for the government: stop relying on imports and start investing in water infrastructure. The call comes as the El Niño phenomenon continues to disrupt planting cycles across the country, though producers insist there is no immediate threat of shortages. Omar Spiegel, spokesperson for Panama’s rice producers, told reporters that existing inventories will keep shelves stocked through March 2027. Spiegel explained that the El Niño phenomenon effects on agriculture have forced farmers to completely rethink their planting schedules. Many producers delayed sowing until conditions improved, particularly during the first phase of the agricultural cycle.…

The race to build two massive container terminals at opposite ends of the Panama Canal has officially entered a new phase. Companies from around the world submitted their qualification documents on July 9, marking a critical step forward for a project that could reshape trade routes across the Americas. The Panama Canal Authority confirmed that the deadline was met, pushing the estimated 2.6 billion dollar infrastructure plan closer to reality. This is not just about moving boxes. The proposed terminals at Corozal on the Pacific side and Telfers on the Atlantic side represent something much bigger. They aim to capture…

The future of copper mining in Panama hangs in the balance as government officials begin face-to-face talks with local leaders. Commerce and Industries Minister Julio Moltó confirmed that his team has started engaging directly with mayors from regions directly affected by mining operations. These conversations mark a new phase in the government’s review of a comprehensive audit report on the Cobre Panama mine. Moltó met with the mayors of Donoso Panama, La Pintada, and Omar Torrijos districts. The goal was straightforward. He wanted to hear their concerns firsthand. “Definitively, listening to them was vital for us,” Moltó said. ‘We are…

Dozens of relatives carrying handwritten signs gathered outside Panama’s Ministry of Government on Tuesday, demanding changes to strict restrictions inside several detention centers. The protesters, many holding photos of incarcerated family members, said they could no longer deliver basic necessities like soap, medicine and other essential supplies to their loved ones behind bars. The demonstration marked the first major public test for the country’s newly appointed prison director. After the protest, a small delegation of family members met with Chanan Singh, who took over as head of the Panama penitentiary system just days earlier. Singh listened to their complaints about…