Author: Sebastian Pieper
The University of Panama is preparing for a historic voting day. More than 55,000 members of the university community will head to the polls on July 1. The election will determine who leads the country’s largest institution of higher education for the coming term. Rufino Fernández, president of the University Electoral Organism, confirmed that logistics are fully in place. Campaign activities officially end on June 29. The voting pool includes 52,030 students, 4,011 professors and 3,958 administrative staff members. They will select a new rector along with deans, vice-deans and regional directors across 16 faculties and 9 regional campuses. This…
Panama’s customs authority has arrested three of its own employees. The officials are accused of demanding illegal payments from a service user. The Panama National Customs Authority confirmed the detentions in an official statement released this week. The three workers allegedly asked for a bribe totaling $20,000. Investigators say the suspects received an initial advance payment. They promised to complete the full amount before being caught. The arrests stem from an ongoing crackdown on corruption in Panama within government institutions. Zero Tolerance Policy Reaffirmed The customs agency moved quickly to distance itself from the accused employees. Officials said the arrests…
The Panama Canal has transformed from a commercial asset into a flashpoint for strategic competition between the United States and China. Global trade routes are being reshaped as superpowers race to secure critical international shipping nodes. Analysts now describe the waterway as the epicenter of a systemic struggle for influence in the Western Hemisphere. This shift did not happen overnight. It resulted from a decade of diplomatic and economic tensions that culminated in early 2026. Panama’s Supreme Court declared a port concession contract illegal in February 2026. That concession had allowed Panama Ports Company, a subsidiary of Hong Kong based…
Panama City Mayor Mayer Mizrachi has confirmed he employs 16 advisors at a total annual cost of $705,000. The disclosure came in response to a formal information request from citizen Freddy Pittí. Five advisors work directly in the mayor’s senior office while 11 others serve across various departments of the Municipality of Panama. Their monthly salaries range from $2,000 to $6,000. The revelation has sparked fresh debate about municipal spending and administrative priorities in the capital. Comparing Advisor Numbers Across Administrations Mayor Mizrachi defended the current staffing levels in his written response to Pittí. He argued that his administration has…
Thousands of faithful are gathering in the district of Las Tablas, located in the province of Los Santos, to honor their patron saint. The festivities for Santa Librada have officially begun with a pilgrim image traveling through various communities. Organizers confirm they are working closely with local authorities and security agencies to manage the large crowds expected. The religious celebration runs alongside the National Pollera Festival, a cultural event established by Law 50 on November 24, 1961. This dual event draws even more visitors to the district each year. The combination of faith and tradition creates a unique atmosphere in…
A devastating fire tore through a large colonial building in Panama City’s historic San Felipe district Casco Viejo early Sunday morning. The blaze completely destroyed the structure located between Avenida B and Calle 12. Officials confirmed that 22 families have lost everything. The The National Government is now coordinating emergency assistance for all affected households. A detailed census conducted by the Panama Ministry of Housing and Land Management reveals the full scope of the tragedy. The victims include 32 adults, with 13 being elderly. Seven teenagers, 23 children, and six infants under three months old are also among those displaced.…
Thousands of people took over the historic streets of Panama City on Saturday for the annual Pride March. The event carried the theme “We Are All Panama”, pushing a message of national unity and respect for diversity. Activists used the gathering to highlight ongoing legal battles for LGBT rights in Panama. The march snaked through the cobblestone paths of Casco Antiguo Panama, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Colorful flags and banners turned the colonial district into a sea of rainbow colors. Participants chanted for equality while tourists and locals watched from balconies and sidewalks. Franklin Robinson, a long-time LGBT activist,…
Panama has launched a major relief operation for Venezuela following a devastating earthquake. The first shipments of Humanitarian aid to Venezuela arrived Saturday at Maiquetia Simon Bolivar Airport outside Caracas. A team of 50 rescuers and two canine units departed Panama City on June 27 to join the search for survivors trapped in collapsed structures. The operation marks one of the largest international rescue missions coordinated by Panama in recent years. Officials confirmed that 17 tons of food and essential supplies have already been shipped by sea. A separate airlift is being organized for additional provisions collected at donation centers…
Community leaders from three Panama City neighborhoods are raising alarms about a new urban policy. They say it could trigger a construction boom in areas already struggling with aging infrastructure and strained public services. The controversy centers on Agreement No. 128, passed on May 12, 2026, by the Panama Municipal Council. This measure creates what officials call the Urban Compensation Agreement. It allows developers to build taller and denser than current zoning laws permit. In exchange, they pay a one-time surcharge to the city. The money goes into a municipal investment fund meant for community projects and infrastructure upgrades in…
The criminal trial of businessman Aaron Mizrachi concluded in Panama City on Wednesday. Prosecutors from the Anti-Corruption Office demanded a conviction for alleged money laundering tied to the vast Odebrecht bribery network. This case stands as one of the most significant anti-corruption prosecutions in Central America this decade. Judge Baloisa Marquínez presided over the final hearing. She announced she would not issue a separate ruling for Mizrachi alone. Instead, his fate will be decided when she releases the complete sentence for the main case involving 21 defendants. Prosecutors have requested convictions for 16 of those individuals and acquittals for the…