Author: Sebastian Pieper
A major financial institution in Panama has stepped forward to clarify its role in a widening tax investigation. BAC, a bank with operations across six countries in Central America, issued an official statement reaffirming its commitment to legal compliance and transparency. The move comes as fiscal authorities scrutinize certain transactions involving tax credits. The bank explained that the practice at the center of the inquiry involves a standard financial mechanism. Companies can engage in Tax credit acquisition for future tax payments, a tool used by many businesses in the country. BAC emphasized that it never received government funds for these…
Public health officials in western Panama are raising red flags. A new survey from 2025 reveals that 7.2% of residents in Chiriqui Province now use tobacco or nicotine products. That number might sound small. But it represents a troubling jump from the 6.4% recorded in 2013. The Panama Ministry of Health is taking notice. Maria Juanita Castillo leads the regional Health Promotion office. She didn’t mince words about the situation. ‘We need to strengthen prevention and awareness actions to fight this addiction and reduce its impact on public health’ [Translated from Spanish] Her call to action comes as data shows…
The global food delivery landscape just experienced a seismic shift, and Panama is squarely in the middle of it. Uber Technologies has agreed to acquire the German giant Delivery Hero for a staggering $14 billion, a move that will bring PedidosYa and Uber Eats under the same corporate roof in Panama and dozens of other countries. The transaction is expected to close in the second half of 2027, pending regulatory approvals. This is not a simple merger of equals. It represents a fundamental reordering of the on-demand delivery sector. Uber will pay Delivery Hero shareholders €41.50 in cash per share,…
Poin Panama’s general manager, César Meléndez, addressed the public concern directly. He stated that visitors seeking extreme experiences in Panama City should remain confident that the activities “continue with safety” as their top priority. The company emphasized that the interruption was not caused by equipment failure but by weather conditions. Strong headwinds can create resistance that counteracts the rider’s momentum, Meléndez explained. He described this deceleration as a normal phenomenon that “occurs on any zipline in the world” designed for high altitudes. ‘The cable is designed to support loads of several tons and undergoes continuous inspection programs’ [Translated from Spanish]…
The diplomatic dance between Panama and the United States took a sharp turn this week when Ambassador Kevin Marino Cabrera directly challenged a Panamanian legislator’s account of her visa status. The exchange highlights growing friction over Panama’s parliamentary ties with Beijing. “She would like to say it expired, but they can take it away before it expires,” Cabrera said during a press conference. “If she doubts that, let her apply again and see what results she gets” [Translated from Spanish]. The ambassador made it clear that the US Visa Revocation Authority operates under strict sovereign prerogatives that do not require…
Panama is moving to close a legal gap that has left citizens vulnerable to digitally manufactured attacks on their reputation. A new preliminary bill introduced in the Panama National Assembly seeks to punish those who use advanced technology to destroy personal honor. The proposal comes as manipulated media spreads faster than the law can adapt. Representative Dana Castañeda presented the legislation before the full assembly. The bill modifies the existing Panama Penal Code to specifically address crimes committed through artificial intelligence and digital editing tools. Current laws covering defamation and slander have proven insufficient against modern techniques like voice cloning…
Panama’s cultural heritage is getting a fresh visual identity. The Reina Torres de Araúz Museum of Anthropology, widely known as MARTA, has launched a national competition to design its new logo. The contest officially opened after the Ministry of Culture Panama published Resolution No. 122-2026 in the government gazette. This museum holds a special place in Panama’s cultural landscape. It first opened its doors in 1976 as the Museum of Man. Seven years later, Law No. 7 officially renamed it after Reina Torres de Araúz, the pioneering Panamanian anthropologist who founded and championed the institution. Her vision was to create…
When the European Union and Central American nations sat down in Brussels for their first Association Committee meeting, Panama took the lead role. Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Carlos A. Hoyos represented the region as coordinator for political dialogue and cooperation. The meetings, which wrapped up on Tuesday, produced agreements on security, digital transformation, green transition, economic integration, and sustainable development. The Association Committee serves as a key mechanism within the broader European Union-Central America Association Agreement. This framework has shaped relations between the two regions for years, though this particular committee meeting marked a fresh chapter in how both…
The quiet hum of humanitarian logistics has become the center of a bitter political confrontation between Panama and Venezuela. At the heart of this dispute lies a simple tracking device, smaller than a coin, that has exposed deep fractures in how international aid is monitored and distributed. Venezuelan Minister of Interior Diosdado Cabello did not hold back when he learned that Panama City’s mayor had been secretly tracking relief supplies sent to earthquake victims. “We reject the vulgar and miserable statements of the mayor of Panama,” Cabello said during a broadcast on Venezolana de Television (VTV), the state-run network. He…
Scammers are getting bolder in Panama. They pretend to be government officials. They call, text, and email consumers. Their goal is to steal personal information and money. The Consumer Protection and Competition Defense Authority (Acodeco) issued a public warning on July 15, 2026. The agency told citizens to stay alert and verify any communication claiming to be from them. These fraudsters use multiple methods to reach their targets. Phone calls come first. Then follow text messages, WhatsApp chats, and emails. The scammers offer to process official procedures on behalf of Acodeco. They promise to handle complaints or consumer claims. But…