Author: Editorial Team

Panama City, Panama – The government has introduced a tax reform bill that would charge multinational companies a 15 percent rate if they cannot prove real economic operations in the country. Finance Minister Felipe Chapman presented the proposed changes to the National Assembly this week, targeting firms that use Panama to reduce or avoid taxes. The reform seeks to tighten controls on international corporate structures. It aims to convince the European Union to remove Panama from its tax haven blacklist. Officials say the new rules focus on the principle of Substance over form, meaning legal structures must match real business…

Thousands of workers from various labor unions gathered in Panama City on May 1, 2026, to commemorate International Workers’ Day. The demonstration started at Porras Park with a morning mass. Union leaders then delivered speeches about ongoing labor struggles. They called for dialogue with the government and an end to what they described as persecution of union activists. The event drew participants from multiple sectors including education and public services. Fernando Ábrego, secretary general of the Association of Public Officials of the Ministry of Education (Asoprof), spoke directly to the government. “We take into consideration that there cannot be a…

Residents of Llano del Medio in the Las Lomas township are demanding immediate action on a severe drinking water shortage. The crisis has lasted more than two months in the Chiriquí Province community. Local families say the lack of service has disrupted their daily routines and endangered vulnerable residents. The water shortage affects school children, elderly adults, and people with serious health conditions. Many families now collect rainwater just to bathe and clean their homes. The potable water supply from the National Institute of Aqueducts and Sewers has been unreliable since early 2025. Residents report that Idaan officials have not…

Panama City, Panama – More than 113,000 young Panamanians now lack formal employment. The Instituto Nacional de Estadística y Censo reports that 54 percent of youth employment falls into the informal sector. The data reveals a deepening crisis for workers aged 15 to 29. Young people represent 23 percent of the workforce. Yet they account for nearly half of all unemployed individuals in the country. The situation has worsened significantly over the past year. Youth Unemployment Rate Surges Past National Average The youth unemployment rate jumped from 17.8 percent in October 2024 to 20 percent by September 2025. That figure…

Panama’s Caja de Seguro Social will eliminate the physical membership card for Panamanian nationals starting May 1, 2026. Insured citizens will simply present their national identity document at service windows to receive medical care or claim economic benefits. The institution announced the change this week as part of a broader modernization push. The shift targets a system long criticized for slow service and excessive paperwork. In practical terms, the national ID becomes the single key to access all CSS services. The physical card enters retirement for Panamanian citizens. But the change is not universal. Foreign nationals remain excluded from this…

Tensions flared Thursday morning on 5 de Mayo Avenue in Panama City. A group of street vendors protested the removal of their market structures, which they have used for years to sell goods in the Informal economy.The operation is part of a broader program by the Panama City Mayor’s Office. Officials aim to recover commercial spaces and restore building facades across the capital. But the intervention has sparked immediate backlash from vendors who claim they received no proper notice.One vendor expressed deep frustration with the city’s actions. “We want the street vendor to live in peace because we are not…

Residents of Bella Vista (Panama) have gathered to sound the alarm about a sharp decline in public safety. They describe a neighborhood transformed from a once-peaceful area into a hotspot for crime and disorder. The meeting took place at the local communal board office this week. Robberies, open drug use, and conflicts linked to nightlife have become daily realities for these residents. Many say the situation has deteriorated steadily over the past two decades. Local authorities and officers from the Panama National Police listened as community members from sectors like El Cangrejo detailed what they call an escalation of criminal…

Panama’s Council of Cabinet has authorized the Ministry of Education to amend the law requiring 7 percent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) for public education. The authorization came through Resolution No. 28 dated April 21, 2026. The official document appeared in the Government Gazette on April 28. The resolution does not specify what changes the Executive branch will propose. It remains unclear whether the government wants to lower the minimum spending floor. Officials might also replace the current calculation formula or introduce new distribution criteria. The debate now centers on how much Panama should invest in public schools. A 2023…

U.S. Ambassador Kevin Marino Cabrera traveled to El Valle de Anton on April 29, 2026 to deepen bilateral cooperation. The diplomatic mission focused on education, security, tourism and economic development in the Coclé province. The visit delivered tangible resources to local students. Ambassador Cabrera helped distribute 200 backpacks and dozens of English-language books at El Rincón ClubHouse. This donation supports technology learning for more than 200 children aged 5 to 17. The Humanitarian Assistance Program from U.S. Southern Command made the contribution possible. [Translated from Spanish] Direct Engagement With Local Leaders Ambassador Cabrera met with Governor Irving González and other…

Panama’s President José Raúl Mulino visited the construction site of the new Hospital del Niño (Panama) on Thursday morning. The project will become the largest pediatric center in the country. Health Minister Fernando Boyd Galindo joined the presidential inspection tour. The facility is rising along Avenida Balboa in the capital. Citizens have eagerly awaited this hospital for years. It promises to transform child healthcare services, especially for vulnerable populations. The government expects the hospital to open next year. A $705.8 Million Investment in Child Health The construction contract carries a price tag of $705.8 million. This includes equipment, maintenance, and…