Author: spieper

The Chinese ambassador to Panama has publicly addressed the controversial demolition of a historic monument honoring the Chinese community. Ambassador Xu Xueyuan spoke this week about the incident that occurred on December 27, 2025, when the monument at the Bridge of the Americas viewpoint was destroyed on orders from Arraiján Mayor Stefany Peñalba. The destruction of the structure, which commemorated 150 years of Chinese presence in Panama, sparked immediate outrage. The backlash from the local Chinese diaspora in Panama and other residents prompted an official investigation. Panama’s Ministry of Public (Prosecutor General’s Office) of Panama is now leading a probe…

Pork producers in Panama are raising urgent alarms about the full implementation of a trade pact with the United States. They argue the agreement, which allows tariff-free meat imports, could severely damage local farms and threaten tens of thousands of jobs. Industry leaders issued this stark warning as the country moves to comply with the long-dormant provisions of the treaty.The core of the dispute centers on the Panama-United States Trade Promotion Agreement. Certain provisions for agricultural products, including pork, are now taking full effect. This grants American meat products duty-free access to the Panamanian market, a change local farmers say…

The Archdiocese of Panama presented its Santa María La Antigua medal to veteran journalist Luz María Noli Rodríguez during a special mass on Sunday, January 4. The ceremony recognized Noli’s decades of ethical leadership in Panamanian journalism, particularly during the nation’s most turbulent political periods. Archbishop José Domingo Ulloa led the tribute at the Metropolitan Cathedral as part of the archdiocese’s centennial jubilee year celebrations.Noli, the first woman to serve as news director for the national broadcaster Televisora Nacional (TVN), was praised for her unwavering commitment to truth. The event deliberately coincided with the Epiphany (holiday), drawing a parallel between…

Former Panamanian Foreign Minister Jorge Eduardo Ritter warned this week that the capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro should not be seen as the end of the Chavista regime. He argued the situation differs fundamentally from the aftermath of the 1989 United States invasion of Panama (1989) and the arrest of General Manuel Noriega. Ritter made his comments while analyzing the complex political scenario unfolding in Venezuela following Maduro’s detention on January 3, 2026.The ex-chancellor emphasized the operational distinctions between the two historical events. He described the Panama operation as a full-scale military invasion that completely dismantled the state. The…

President Donald Trump declared the United States intends to govern Venezuela for an indefinite period following the capture of President Nicolas Maduro. The unprecedented statement, made from his Mar-a-Lago estate on January 3rd, outlines a plan for direct political control over the South American nation and the exploitation of its vast oil reserves. This move marks a dramatic escalation in U.S. foreign policy toward Latin America, invoking a modern reinterpretation of historical hemispheric doctrine. The announcement came roughly eight hours after U.S. forces detained Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, creating a power vacuum in a country of nearly 30…

The Panamanian Chamber of Construction (Capac) has signed a new three-year collective bargaining agreement with a coalition of seven construction unions. The deal was formally registered on January 2, 2026, following direct negotiations mediated by government labor officials.This agreement covers the vast majority of formal construction workers in Panama and establishes wage and benefit terms through January 2029. It replaces a previous pact that expired at the end of 2025, providing immediate stability for a sector critical to the nation’s infrastructure development.Negotiation Process and Union CoalitionAccording to the Panamanian Chamber of Construction, the new contract resulted from a petition presented…

Organizers in Santiago, Veraguas confirmed the giant “Rosca de Reyes” celebration will proceed this January 6. They plan to break their own national record by constructing an 850-meter-long sweet bread for the community to share. This event marks the 21st anniversary of a local tradition that draws thousands to a Santiago park for Three Kings’ Day.The massive communal bread serves as the centerpiece for a day of cultural activities and family gatherings. Project leaders say the event’s sustained growth over two decades highlights its importance as a regional tradition. Its ultimate length each year depends directly on community participation and…

Panama’s agricultural export sector recorded a year of strong growth in 2025, driven by a streamlined digital certification process. Official data shows a 22 percent increase in the issuance of export phytosanitary certificates compared to the previous year, a key indicator of rising international trade for Panamanian farm products.The National Plant Health Directorate, part of the country’s Ministry of Agricultural Development (Panama), processed a total of 18,850 certifications. This volume reflects both high domestic productivity and more efficient inspection protocols that meet stringent international standards. These documents are mandatory for shipping plant-based goods across borders, verifying they are free from…

The West Panama Regional Prosecutor’s Office is conducting multiple investigative procedures following a formal complaint by Government Minister Dinoska Montalvo against Arraiján District Mayor Stefany Peñalba. Officials confirmed the investigation, which involves alleged arbitrary actions related to the municipal management of local justice of the peace centers, began on December 31 and continued through January 3.Investigators carried out inspections at several municipal facilities this week. These locations included the main Arraiján District municipality building, the Municipal Council offices, and several community justice centers known as “Casas de Paz.” Other district administration premises were also examined as part of the ongoing…

Venezuelan human rights activist Andreína Chacín has called for strict adherence to the electoral will of the Venezuelan people as the nation navigates a potential Democratic transition. Her statements come amid significant international attention following recent comments by former U.S. President donald trump regarding Venezuela’s political future. Chacín emphasized that the results of the July 28 presidential election are clear. She stated that Venezuelans chose Edmundo González Urrutia as president, following the disqualification of opposition leader María Corina Machado. Any transitional government, she insisted, must be led by these elected authorities and their chosen ministerial team. “There can be no…