Author: Editorial Team

Costa Rica’s newly elected president, Laura Fernández, has taken a hard line on the commercial dispute with Panama. She vowed to lift restrictions blocking Costa Rican agricultural goods from entering the Panamanian market. Fernández made her position clear during her inauguration ceremony for the 2026-2030 term. The president said she will pursue direct talks with Panamanian leader José Raúl Mulino. This strategy failed to gain traction under her predecessor, Rodrigo Chaves. Fernández is now betting on personal diplomacy to break the deadlock. Direct quotes from Costa Rica’s president “I am going to be very clear on this. I do not…

Panama received nearly one million international visitors during the first three months of 2026. The Panama Tourism Authority reported a 17.3 percent increase compared to the same period last year. Gloria De León, the agency’s administrator, confirmed the numbers on Monday. The growth comes largely from the carnival season and a surge in travelers using the Stopover program Copa Airlines offers. That program alone brought 88,000 tourists into the country by April. Government calculations show the economic impact exceeds $2 billion. Each tourist spends roughly $281 per day during an average eight-day stay. Convention visitors spend up to $650 daily.…

Panama City, Panama. Thousands of Panamanians are choosing the metrobus for their daily commutes. MiBus reported a sustained 13 percent growth in passenger movement during the first four months of 2026, solidifying the operational recovery of the public transport system in Panama City and San Miguelito. According to the operational balance presented by the company, April 2026 saw 12,885,493 passengers moved. This figure represents an increase of 1,499,308 users compared to April 2025, when 11,386,185 passengers were recorded. The cumulative total between January and April of this year reached 48,686,694 passengers, surpassing the same period in 2025 by 5,710,838 users.…

Panama’s telecommunications regulator has launched the formal process to bring a third mobile network operator into the country. The National Authority for Public Services Panama announced the initiative this week. Officials say the goal is simple: boost competition and improve service quality for millions of users. The process will take several months. The new operator is not expected to launch services until 2027. In the coming days, the regulator will publish a resolution that officially starts the prequalification phase for interested companies. Only firms that pass this initial screening can move forward in the public bidding process. Prequalification Process Begins…

A delegation of United Nations ambassadors will arrive in Panama for an official three-day visit. The mission runs from May 11 to May 13. Its purpose is to evaluate strategic projects focused on sustainable development and climate resilience. The visiting team includes representatives from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Executive Board. It also includes members from the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS). The delegation will assess initiatives in health, social inclusion, and infrastructure across Panama. Strategic Dialogue with Panamanian Authorities According to the official statement, the visit will facilitate strategic…

A single shipment of 900 vehicles crossed southern Mexico by rail in roughly nine hours this spring. The operation moved from the Pacific Ocean to the U.S. East Coast in about 72 hours total. Hyundai and its logistics arm Hyundai Glovis ran the test, marking the first major international trial of Mexico’s Interoceanic Corridor of the Isthmus of Tehuantepec. The 303-kilometer rail route is taking shape just as climate pressures threaten the reliability of the Panama Canal. Vehicles traveled from South Korea to the Pacific port of Salina Cruz in Oaxaca. Crews there loaded them onto 50 BI-MAX freight wagons…

Panama’s Ministry of Health has activated emergency protocols after confirming two imported measles cases. Foreign nationals brought the disease into the country through separate entry points. Officials announced the situation this week as they race to contain any potential spread. The patients arrived through different routes. One tourist traveled through Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, Nicaragua and Costa Rica before entering Panama. This person visited the popular tourist destination of Bocas del Toro between April 23 and 27. The second patient entered through Tocumen International Airport after arriving from Costa Rica. Health Officials Activate Emergency Response Dr. Pablo Gonzalez, head of…

Panama City, Panama – The Panamanian Social Security Fund (CSS) has launched the first phase of a new digital platform designed to eliminate long waits at pharmacies. Officials confirmed the rollout of “My Digital Prescription” this week. The system aims to modernize medical care across the country. Marco Young, the national director of Medical Benefits at the CSS, announced the initiative during a press briefing. He explained that the initial phase focuses on registering and training doctors from both the private sector and the Ministry of Health. The goal is to integrate these medical professionals into the new digital network.…

The Panama City Municipal Council approved a major shift in the city’s investment budget for 2026. Officials eliminated several high-profile infrastructure projects, including the renovation of Calle 50 Panama, to prioritize street cleaning, park maintenance, and a new market. The change was formalized in Agreement No. 106 on April 28, 2026. The total value of the Annual Plan of Works and Investments remained unchanged at $67,729,654. But the contents changed dramatically. City officials sacrificed urban renewal and community sidewalk projects to fund new spending categories. The Mayor’s Office justified the changes by citing a formal “evaluation” of all projects included…

Countries across Central America maintain stark differences in how they manage their public debt. This situation directly influences economic stability and the capacity to respond to international financial crises. The latest fiscal report from the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) reveals these disparities in striking detail. The regional analysis shows Costa Rica ranks among economies with the most balanced financing structures. El Salvador and Panama demonstrate heavier dependence on international creditors. This reliance increases their exposure to external factors like rising interest rates, currency volatility, and global market conditions. Costa Rica leans on domestic creditors for…