Author: spieper

Panamanian President Jose Raul Mulino will travel to Chile in March 2026 for the inauguration of President-elect Jose Antonio Kast. The two leaders agreed to relaunch bilateral relations during a phone call on Monday, December 15, 2025.Mulino accepted a formal invitation from Kast to attend the swearing-in ceremony. The Panamanian president was accompanied by Foreign Minister Javier Martinez Acha during the diplomatic conversation, according to an official statement from the Presidency of Panama.Focus on Shared Interests and Future VisitsPresident Mulino emphasized the common ground between the two nations. He specifically noted Chile’s status as a primary user of the Panama…

Panamanian government officials have defined a new consultation roadmap for the planned electricity interconnection with Colombia. The high-level meeting, held at the Presidential Palace on December 16, 2025, focused on advancing social agreements with Indigenous communities along the project’s path before construction begins.The session was led by Minister of the Presidency Juan Carlos Orillac. He stated the goal was to evaluate progress in talks with communities located along the route of the future high-voltage line. This project is a stated priority for President José Raúl Mulino’s administration.Orillac emphasized the need to address social concerns proactively to prevent future delays. The…

Panama has officially begun a two year process to merge its two main public healthcare providers. The Ministry of Health (Minsa) and the Social Security Fund (CSS) will integrate services starting in the provinces of Herrera and Los Santos, with a goal of nationwide operation by late 2027. This ambitious reform aims to dismantle a fragmented system that has long created inefficiencies and unequal access for millions of Panamanians.Technical teams from both institutions have already completed initial diagnostic visits in the pilot regions. They assessed available infrastructure, human resources, assigned populations, and installed capacity. This data will form the foundation…

The United States Embassy in Panama and its agricultural office have unveiled a significantly expanded commercial agenda for 2026. This robust strategy aims to strengthen the presence of American food and beverage products in the Panamanian market. The plan includes increased participation in international trade shows, organized buyer missions, and a major expansion of the popular Sabor USA promotional program.Officials detailed the calendar of events during a launch ceremony in Panama City on December 15, 2025. The strategy forms part of a broader regional effort to consolidate Panama as a key distribution and consumption hub for American goods. This push…

The Panama City Mayor’s Office successfully held its annual Christmas parade on Sunday afternoon. The “City of Stars” event proceeded along the capital’s main Nicanor de Obarrio Avenue, commonly known as Calle 50, featuring festive floats and marching bands for thousands of spectators.Heavy rain began falling just minutes after the parade’s 3:00 p.m. start. Participants and attendees faced a sudden downpour, but the event continued without interruption as organizers and city officials pushed forward with the planned schedule.Parade Opens With Traditional FanfareThe Colonel Segundo Villarreal Institute band from Villa de Los Santos had the honor of leading the procession. They…

The National Migration Service (Panama) recently hosted a special film debate for its staff. This event aimed to spark reflection on disability and inclusion within the government agency. Organized through the Office of Gender Equity and Equal Opportunity (OEGEO) from the Ministry of Security, the session used cinema as a catalyst for conversation. Employees gathered to analyze the experiences and challenges faced by people with disabilities, viewing them through a narrative lens. Officials described the forum as a key step in building a more empathetic institutional culture. It provided a structured yet open space for staff to share perspectives they…

The financial landscape in Panama has been permanently altered following the full absorption of Scotiabank’s local operations by Banco Davivienda. Officials from Davivienda Group confirmed the completion of the historic integration this week, marking the end of the Scotiabank brand in the country and creating a significantly larger regional financial player. The move triples Davivienda’s physical presence in Panama and expands its customer base dramatically.This strategic consolidation comes after Davivienda Group received all necessary regulatory approvals to assume control of Scotiabank’s operations in Panama, Costa Rica, and Colombia. The transaction fundamentally reshapes the group’s regional structure and asset distribution. Clients…

Former Panamanian President Ernesto Perez Balladares has publicly dismissed calls for a sweeping constitutional overhaul, arguing the country lacks the necessary conditions. In a wide-ranging interview, the ex-leader also commented on internal crises within his political party and recent controversial statements by the current president. Perez Balladares served as Panama’s head of state from 1994 to 1999.The political veteran shared his views during a conversation with La Estrella de Panamá’s Polígrafo this week. He provided a stark assessment of the nation’s political landscape while offering support for embattled party figures. His comments arrive during a period of significant political debate…

The Ministry of Health (Minsa) in Panama issued a nationwide epidemiological alert on Friday, December 12, 2025. The action follows a formal report from the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) warning of increased influenza activity across the northern hemisphere as the 2025–2026 season begins.While a specific variant circulating in the United Kingdom has not been detected locally, health authorities are concerned about the co-circulation of multiple respiratory viruses within Panama. Current surveillance data shows influenza and Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) positivity rates are already above seasonal alert thresholds.Officials emphasized the alert is a preventive measure. “Although no cases of the…

The Spanish Association of Friends of the Great Spanish Navigators and Explorers (AGNYEE) announced Friday it will restart a global sailing expedition honoring Juan Sebastián Elcano’s historic voyage. The new journey begins December 15 from Sanlúcar de Barrameda, Spain, and will include a transit through the Panama Canal. This attempt follows the loss of the expedition’s original vessel to a typhoon in 2023.Organizers plan to complete the ambitious tribute voyage in approximately fifteen months. The route will retrace key ports from the original Magellan–Elcano circumnavigation, including San Juan in Puerto Rico and Cartagena de Indias in Colombia.Association president and expedition…