Author: spieper
National and municipal public offices across Panama will close for two days during the 2026 Carnival season. The closures are scheduled for Monday, February 16, and Wednesday, February 18, which coincides with Ash Wednesday. President Laurentino Cortizo’s administration formalized the plan through Executive Decree No. 3, signed on January 12, 2026.The decree also outlines a mandatory compensation mechanism for public sector employees. To offset the lost workdays, civil servants must work one extra hour per day for a period of sixteen days.Extended Work Hours Schedule for Public EmployeesAccording to the official document, the additional hour must be completed after an…
The Social Security Fund of Panama (CSS) filed a criminal complaint with the Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office on Monday, January 12. The complaint alleges a multi-million dollar fraud scheme involving at least 52 irregularly granted pensions, with an estimated financial impact of ten million dollars.CSS Director General Dino Mon stated the legal action followed extensive internal audits and reviews conducted with support from the Comptroller General of the Republic (Panama). The case centers on deliberate alterations to contribution records within the pension payment system, indicating organized criminal activity rather than administrative errors.”We will not tolerate mafias or corruption networks that attack…
Panamanian officials will increase maritime inspections in Colon Province starting January 2026. The Panama Maritime Authority (AMP) and local leaders agreed on the new measures to regulate passenger and cargo movements.This decision follows a high-level meeting focused on improving oversight at the Miramar docking area. That specific location has frequently served as an arrival point for migrants and other maritime traffic. The enhanced protocol aims to ensure all vessels operating in the region possess proper permits and adhere to strict safety codes.”Inter-institutional coordination seeks to strengthen control, order, and security in the area, as well as to ensure responsible and…
Panama City officials plan to install approximately 500 new surveillance cameras across the capital this year. The initiative aims to strengthen public security and protect state property by integrating the cameras into a centralized national monitoring system.This expansion responds to a noted increase in criminal activity, ranging from petty vandalism to organized crime. The project will significantly boost the municipal surveillance program, with footage shared directly with national police and security forces.Mayor Mayer Mizrachi framed the project as a necessary response to a lack of visual oversight in many city sectors. He pointed to a recent incident of vandalism on…
A previously secluded coastal community in Panama is formally opening its doors to visitors. Playa Pixvae, located in the southern Las Palmas District of Veraguas Province, will launch its official tourism season this week. The area’s pristine beaches and dramatic rock formations are transitioning from a local secret to an emerging destination for both national and international travelers seeking adventure. Residents have long described Pixvae as a hidden paradise. Its growing appeal centers on untouched beaches, natural caves, and a community commitment to sustainable growth. While access requires careful travel, those who make the journey discover a coastline largely undeveloped…
The Technological University of Panama has secured a national patent for a pair of smart glasses designed to assist people with visual disabilities. University officials announced the formal registration with the Ministry of Commerce and Industry on December 23, 2025, marking a significant step in translating academic research into practical, inclusive technology. This invention originated from a student project at the university’s Veraguas Regional Center. It was developed during a Scientific Initiation Journey, a program aimed at fostering early research. The patent application was filed by Rut Sierra, the Intellectual Property Coordinator at the university’s Directorate of Knowledge Management and…
Panama will host a major bilateral security training program from January 12 to February 26. The exercise involves specialized units from three Panamanian security forces and approximately 50 United States Marines.The official announcement came from Panama’s National Aeronaval Service. Training will occur at two key military installations: the Jungle School at the Admiral Cristobal Colon Aeronaval Base and the Marine Infantry facilities at the Captain of Frigate Noel Antonio Rodriguez Justavino Naval Base. This six-week program aims to enhance the tactical and operational readiness of Panamanian forces through direct collaboration with U.S. personnel.Bilateral Cooperation Focuses on Strategic ReadinessAuthorities framed the…
A long-awaited trial for one of Latin America’s largest corruption scandals is scheduled to start in Panama City on Monday, January 12, 2026. Prosecutors will present their case against 31 individuals accused of orchestrating a vast bribery scheme with the Brazilian construction giant Odebrecht. This proceeding represents a pivotal test for Panama’s judicial system after more than a decade of investigations and five previous failed attempts to begin the trial.The case centers on allegations that Odebrecht paid over $59 million in bribes to Panamanian officials and political operatives between 2010 and 2014. These payments were allegedly made to secure lucrative…
A major private hospital in Panama City has been sold to a consortium of private universities. The Santa Fe Hospital, a fixture on Simón Bolívar Avenue for decades, officially changed ownership in November 2025 according to filings with the nation’s Public Registry (Panama).Documents show the hospital’s corporate entity was acquired by a new group of shareholders linked to several prominent educational institutions. The sale price is estimated to be around $90 million according to sources within the medical center. All medical and administrative staff are reportedly continuing their work without interruption.New Leadership Tied to AcademiaThe Public Registry documents list the…
Panama’s National Assembly has passed a law creating prison sentences for importing food without proper health permits. The legislation, known as Bill 152, was approved in a third and final debate on January 8 and now awaits presidential action. It aims to protect public health and the national agricultural economy from unsafe and illegally imported products.The bill adds a new chapter on crimes against food security to Panama’s existing Penal Code. Its core provision establishes prison terms of six to eight years for anyone who brings plant or animal-based food products into the country without the required sanitary permits from…