Author: Editorial Team

Panama’s Attorney General’s Office has recovered $2.4 million for the nation’s Social Security Fund following a criminal investigation into institutional data manipulation. The Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office secured the restitution this week, funds linked to the improper withholding of employer-worker quotas after tampering with the agency’s database. This marks a significant financial recovery in one of the country’s ongoing high-profile corruption cases. The recovered sum, precisely $2,424,192.52, represents money wrongfully withheld to the detriment of the Social Security Fund’s insured members. Authorities stated the investigation centers on the deliberate data alteration within the agency’s systems, a scheme that allowed for the…

United States Ambassador to Panama Kevin Marino Cabrera announced the extradition of a key suspect in a deadly 1994 aviation bombing. Ali Jalil arrived at Tocumen International Airport from Caracas on a flight that landed at 2:45 p.m. local time, escorted by a heavy security detail. The suspect’s transfer marks a pivotal moment in the long-dormant investigation into the Alas Chiricanas case. Authorities accuse Jalil of involvement in the bombing of Alas Chiricanas Flight 901, which killed 21 people. His extradition resulted from extensive cooperation between Panamanian, U.S., and Venezuelan officials. Ambassador Kevin Marino Cabrera made the announcement at a…

Artisans in the rural community of La Mina de Mebrillo are celebrating their unique cultural legacy this week. The annual Soapstone Festival is transforming raw stone into intricate sculptures, drawing visitors and boosting the local economy in Panama’s Coclé Province. This event, which concludes Sunday, highlights a generations-old craft centered on a specific natural resource. The soapstone used by the artisans comes from a single cave deposit discovered decades ago. Organizers say the festival underscores the sustainable use of local materials. From Cave to Craftsmanship The entire artistic process begins at a cave formation where the raw stone is extracted.…

Artisanal producers of raspadura, Panama’s traditional cane sugar block, are struggling to compete with cheaper, mass-produced panela imported from neighboring countries. The centuries-old craft, deeply rooted in rural culture, faces an uncertain future as economic pressures mount. This conflict between heritage and globalization is now sparking legislative action in the National Assembly. Rafael Fernández, a raspadura and cane honey producer, explained the growing difficulty of this competition in a conversation with La Prensa. He stated that the most costly aspect is producing the raw material, the sugarcane itself, which requires extensive care, time, and fertilizer. The price for these inputs…

The president of Panama’s Chamber of Commerce, Industries, and Agriculture (CCIAP) has issued a stark warning about the nation’s labor market. Aurelio Barría Pino stated that job creation remains one of the country’s most urgent challenges, requiring immediate action to stimulate investment and economic growth. His comments come as official data shows a national unemployment rate of 10.4 percent alongside widespread informal work. Recent statistics reveal nearly 785,000 people are working in the informal economy. This figure represents almost one out of every two workers in Panama. The numbers define the scale of a problem impacting both economic stability and…

Panama’s Ministry of Health has issued a definitive nationwide ban on requiring mental health certificates for employment, education, and administrative procedures. The mandatory directive, announced this week, aims to eliminate a longstanding practice deemed discriminatory and a violation of fundamental human rights. The order from the General Directorate of Public Health and the National Mental Health Section applies to all public and private institutions. It prohibits them from demanding the documents as part of hiring, academic admission, or any other process. Officials stated the ban is effective immediately and carries legal weight. The policy is grounded in Law No. 364…

Panama City residents continue to ask when they can safely swim in the waters of the Panama Bay. The ambitious Sanitation Program of Panama, launched in 2001, has now spanned a quarter-century. Officials state that achieving a swimmable bay hinges on completing critical infrastructure and changing public behavior. Major global cities like Sydney and Paris required at least thirty years to clean their iconic waterways. Panama’s own project, aimed at reversing decades of pollution, has reached its 25-year mark. The goal of safe recreational use remains on the horizon, dependent on a complex interplay of engineering and civic responsibility. “I…

Panama’s government signed a formal cooperation agreement with the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) in Paris this week. The pact aims to align the nation’s policies with global standards and attract higher quality foreign investment. Foreign Minister Javier Martínez-Acha Vásquez and OECD Secretary General Mathias Cormann formalized the Memorandum of Understanding. Panamanian officials described the move as a strategic commitment to transparency and sustainable development rather than a symbolic gesture. A Framework for Policy Improvement The agreement establishes a structured framework for cooperation. Panama will now gain access to OECD data exchanges, comparative public policy assessments, and expert…

Panama faces urgent economic and workforce challenges due to one of the world’s fastest rates of population aging. Experts warn the country is unprepared for the profound demographic shift already affecting pension sustainability and labor markets. New census data reveals a rapidly aging society that demands immediate policy action.Figures from Panama’s Comptroller General show the population’s median age has now surpassed 30 years. For every ten children and adolescents under 15, there are approximately five people over 60. This accelerating trend mirrors a broader regional pattern across Latin America. Projections indicate nearly 18 percent of the region’s population will be…

The Vamos political coalition has formally called on Panama’s government to temporarily suspend the tax on diesel fuel. The group issued the proposal this week as a direct response to soaring fuel prices that are straining the national economy. These rising costs are creating widespread pressure on transportation, agriculture, and food prices for Panamanian citizens.In an official statement, the coalition described the diesel price increase as an intensified problem with deep consequences. The document argues that the high cost of diesel directly inflates the price of essential goods and services across multiple sectors. Every link in the supply chain, from…