Author: spieper
Panamanian labor inspectors discovered ten children performing hazardous work on coffee farms in the western province of Chiriquí. The Ministry of Labor and Workforce Development (Mitradel) conducted the operation last week, removing the minors from dangerous conditions in the district of Boquete, Chiriquí.An official report from Mitradel detailed that the group consisted of seven boys and three girls. Their ages ranged from seven to seventeen years old. Inspectors located them across 18 different coffee plantations during the harvest period, known locally as the “zafra.”Children Removed from Hazardous ConditionsAuthorities immediately extracted the children from the work areas upon discovery. They were…
More than 500 delegates from 196 countries gathered in Panama City last week for a major United Nations environmental conference. The event relied on the logistical support of 112 Panamanian volunteers, highlighting a national culture of service as the world looks toward the International Year of Volunteers in 2026.The 23rd session of the Committee for the Review of the Implementation of the Convention (CRIC23) ran from December 1 to 5. It is a key oversight body of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD). The session focused on reviewing global progress against land degradation, desertification, and drought.Volunteers Provide Essential…
Panama’s government has officially enacted a landmark law designed to overhaul the nation’s approach to waste and production. The new legislation, known as Law 502, establishes a comprehensive legal framework for a circular economy, aiming to reduce pollution and create green jobs. President Laurentino Cortizo sanctioned the law this week, setting the stage for a systemic shift from a disposable model to one focused on resource efficiency.The law moves far beyond traditional recycling concepts. Its core objective is to eliminate waste at the design stage of products, keep materials in use for as long as possible, and regenerate natural systems.…
Panama’s Panama Pacifico Special Economic Zone is accelerating a series of major infrastructure projects designed to solidify its position as a premier investment hub. The zone’s administrator confirmed this week that connectivity, a current challenge, will see dramatic improvements with the completion of the Fourth Bridge over the Panama Canal, a new Metro station, and a future railway link. These developments come as demand for space in the zone has already reached full capacity, forcing an accelerated construction timeline for new warehouses and residential units.The zone, located near the Pacific entrance to the canal, is strategically positioned between Panama City…
National police in Panama have captured one of the country’s most wanted fugitives, an alleged gang leader with a significant bounty on his head. Edwin Enrique Quintana, known by the alias “Chemberre,” was arrested during a raid in the Río Abajo district following a joint operation with prosecutors.The arrest marks a critical development in an ongoing crackdown on organized criminal groups in Panama. Quintana was allegedly the leader of the “P*tos Ganster” gang, a group previously targeted and dismantled by authorities in mid-2025.Capture of a High-Value TargetOfficers from the National Police of Panama executed a search warrant at a residence…
Panama’s government says it would grant temporary asylum to members of Nicolas Maduro’s administration if it helps usher in a political transition in Venezuela. Vice Foreign Minister Carlos Hoyos made the statement in a television interview this week, outlining a potential role for Panama in the regional crisis.The offer comes amid heightened military tensions in the Caribbean and a diplomatic freeze between Panama and Caracas. Panama severed formal diplomatic ties with Venezuela following the contentious 2024 presidential election, which much of the international community deemed illegitimate.Conditional Offer of Safe HavenHoyos clarified that the lack of formal relations currently prevents Panama…
Panamanian authorities detained 221 individuals in a single day as part of an intensified national security strategy. The National Police of Panama reported the mass apprehensions occurred during operations this past Saturday, December 6.Officials conducted these actions under the ongoing plan firmeza. Police executed 67 search warrants across multiple jurisdictions. Their efforts led to the seizure of three firearms, 49 rounds of ammunition, five packages of suspected narcotics, and one recovered stolen vehicle.Traffic Enforcement and Prison Raid Conducted SimultaneouslyTraffic police issued 820 citations during the same period. Violations included 91 for speeding and 14 for confirmed drunk driving. Authorities towed…
Panama’s Authority for Consumer Protection and Defense of Competition (Acodeco) has confiscated more than 17,000 expired and deteriorated goods during recent inspections in the Bocas del Toro Province. The agency conducted operations throughout this year targeting businesses in the Changuinola district. Officials have now launched formal proceedings against the retailers involved.The seized items totaled 17,345 products deemed unfit for human consumption. Agency personnel discovered the expired goods during routine enforcement actions designed to protect public health. These operations form a core part of the national consumer protection authority’s mandate to ensure compliance with safety standards.Formal Proceedings and Additional Violations FoundAuthorities…
Hundreds of Venezuelan expatriates gathered in Panama City on Saturday, December 6, for a global march supporting peace and freedom. The demonstration was organized by opposition leader María Corina Machado days before she is set to receive the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize. Participants walked from the city’s coastal beltway to Democracy Plaza, voicing their hopes for democratic change in their home country.The event in Panama was part of a coordinated international action. Similar marches took place in major cities worldwide, amplifying a message of solidarity just before the prestigious award ceremony in Oslo, Norway, scheduled for December 10.A Message of…
The Embassy of Panama in the United States is ramping up its consular services ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Officials anticipate thousands of Panamanian nationals traveling to support their national team. Ambassador José Miguel Alemán confirmed the logistical plans are already underway following the recent group stage draw in Washington.Contingency planning focuses on cities hosting Panama’s matches. The embassy expects concentrated groups of one thousand to two thousand fans on game days. Their primary concern involves common travel issues like lost or stolen passports, not public order events.”We have to bring the consulate to where the match will…