Author: Sebastian Pieper

In the wake of recent torrential downpours that damaged more than 1,300 homes, a community in Bocas del Toro has taken matters into its own hands. Parents, students, and residents of Finca Las 30 in the Changuinola district organized a massive cleanup effort to clear canals, gutters, and public spaces. Their goal was simple but urgent: reduce the risk of more flooding as the rainy season continues. The storms that swept through the province in recent days left a trail of destruction. More than 4,000 people were affected across Bocas del Toro. Streets turned into rivers. Homes filled with muddy…

A three-day court hearing in Panama City has ended with 12 suspects placed in pretrial detention for their alleged roles in a sophisticated tax fraud network. The operation, which authorities have dubbed Operation Pandora, targeted a criminal organization accused of manipulating taxpayer accounts within the ETax system operated by the General Directorate of Revenue Panama. Two additional suspects received house arrest instead of jail time. The judge also ruled that all 16 arrests made during the July 8 raids were legal. Two women who were apprehended remain in legal limbo after suffering health complications during the proceedings. Both were rushed…

Visitors to Panama City this July can come face to face with a creature that dwarfed everything in its path. The Punta Culebra Nature Center is hosting a special exhibition centered on the Titanoboa, the largest snake ever to slither across the Earth. The event coincides with global celebrations for World Snake Day, giving families a chance to learn about these often misunderstood reptiles. Scientists estimate the Titanoboa measured more than 13 meters long. That is longer than a city bus. It lived roughly 60 million years ago in what is now South America. The snake weighed over a ton…

Demolition crews will soon reshape a neglected swath of Panama City, turning dilapidated buildings into a bustling metropolitan hub. The Panamanian Ministry of Public Works (MOP) has unveiled plans for a massive redevelopment of 38 hectares in Albrook, an area long marked by crumbling infrastructure and underused lots. The project promises to knit together government offices, housing, retail spaces, and parks, all within walking distance of the city’s metro system. Luis Sosa, director of the Public Investment Coordination Unit (UCIP-MOP), described the vision during a recent briefing. ‘We are planning the infrastructure to prepare the lots for development. We are…

Deep in the mangroves of Panama Bay, hammerhead shark pups swim through waters choked with plastic bottles and discarded refrigerators. This startling image of endangered species navigating urban waste illustrates the scale of a crisis that has been decades in the making. Now a coalition of environmental groups is fighting back with an ambitious plan called the Seven Basins project. The initiative targets seven of the most polluted rivers flowing through Panama City and into the bay. These waterways have become highways for garbage, carrying everything from organic waste to household appliances toward the sea. The problem grows worse during…

The numbers tell a compelling story about changing travel patterns in Central America. More than 132,000 travelers chose to extend their layovers in Panama during the first half of 2026, marking a 38 percent jump compared to the same period last year. This surge comes from a partnership between Copa Airlines, the Panama Tourism Authority, and PROMTUR Panama. Pedro Heilbron, the chief executive of Copa Airlines, pointed to the country’s unique position in regional aviation. “Panama has the advantage of offering the best air connectivity in the region, which brings the country closer to dozens of international markets,” Heilbron said.…

The holiday season in Panama City is getting a major financial boost. The capital’s municipal government has launched a public tender worth 3.3 million dollars for the design, installation, maintenance, and removal of Christmas decorations across 35 public spaces. This ambitious project, published through the Panama public procurement system, signals a significant investment in seasonal ambiance for residents and visitors alike. Proposals for the contract are due by July 13, 2026. The Panama City municipal government is using a “best value” bidding model, meaning the lowest price won’t automatically win. Officials want quality and creativity, not just a cheap bid.…

Panama has officially launched a comprehensive drug policy that will guide government actions through 2036. The plan, approved by the National Commission for the Study and Prevention of Drug-Related Crimes (Conapred), represents a shift toward balancing public health interventions with law enforcement measures. The resolution was published in the Official Gazette on July 10, 2026, after being signed two days earlier through Resolution No. 33-2026. The development of this strategy did not happen overnight. Work on the policy began back in June 2023, when Conapred commissioners approved a project called “Formulation of the National Drug Policy.” This initial phase focused…

The white handkerchiefs were meant to signal peace. Instead, they became targets. On July 10, 1987, thousands of Panamanians gathered along Via Espana in Panama City, waving white flags and wearing white clothing. They came as professionals, students, and workers. They came as families. They came believing that a peaceful demonstration could topple a regime. By nightfall, hundreds lay wounded, thousands were arrested, and the country had entered a new chapter of state-sponsored terror. Panamanians call it Viernes Negro (Black Friday) Panama. It was not a shopping event. It was a massacre of civic conscience. The Spark That Lit the…

In Panama City’s Parque Lefevre neighborhood, a team of developers is putting the finishing touches on a mobile application that could reshape the country’s transportation landscape. The app, called Alco, represents an ambitious attempt by traditional taxi drivers to compete directly with established digital ride-hailing platforms. David González, operations manager for Alco, confirmed that the platform first launched back in 2019 but was pulled from the market for major technological upgrades. “We currently have a development team helping us create new security integrations and payment methods to offer the country a new platform,” González said. ‘We currently have a development…