Author: spieper

The Municipality of Arraiján in Panama spent $9,998.62 of public funds to demolish a monument honoring the Chinese community in late December. Official documents verified by the country’s Comptroller General show the contract was approved in October, fueling a growing controversy over the structure’s removal from the Bridge of the Americas lookout point. Revelations about the contract’s cost and official approval emerged this week as public criticism intensified. The documents confirm the demolition was a planned municipal action, not an emergency measure, despite occurring at night and sparking immediate public outcry. Deputy Patsy Lee published the procurement document on her…

Panama celebrates a major national anniversary today as the Panama Canal completes 26 years under full Panamanian control. The historic handover occurred at noon on December 31, 1999, ending nearly a century of United States administration over the critical global waterway. This transfer stands as a defining moment of sovereignty and national pride for the Central American nation.The transition was not abrupt but the final step in a process set in motion decades earlier. It culminated a 22-year timetable established by pivotal international treaties. For Panama, the date represents the realization of a long-held national aspiration.”December 31, 1999, wrote another…

Panama’s primary international airport will soon enforce stricter security protocols for connecting passengers arriving from certain countries. The Tocumen International Airport administration is finalizing a contract for specialized screening services to conduct secondary inspections on transit travelers from airports not validated by Panamanian authorities. This move aims to address long-standing aviation security concerns and comply with international standards before these passengers mix with others in the terminal.The decision stems directly from recommendations made by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) following a critical audit over a decade ago. Airport officials confirmed the new measures this week, outlining a targeted approach…

Stranded migrants are giving up on reaching the United States and now seek only to return home from a remote Panamanian port. In the community of Miramar, located in the Colón Province, dozens of people wait for passage after abandoning their northbound journeys through the treacherous Darien Gap. Local residents, overwhelmed by the humanitarian need, are pleading for permanent government assistance and increased security. The migrants’ presence has become a semi-permanent feature at the Miramar dock on the Costa Arriba coastline. Many have waited for weeks without a clear way forward. Their immediate goal is no longer the American Dream…

Organizers in the highland town of Boquete, Chiriquí have finalized preparations for the International Flower and Coffee Fair. The event, a cornerstone of Panama’s cultural and agricultural calendar, opens to the public on January 7 and runs through January 18. Fair executives confirmed all attractions and logistical plans are ready for an expected influx of national and international tourists. This year’s edition promises significant enhancements, including new mechanical rides and redesigned structures within the fairgrounds. A central focus remains the elaborate exhibition of flowers and ornamental gardens, which received a substantial investment. The characteristic cool climate of Boquete, Chiriquí is…

Panamanian President Jose Raul Mulino has ordered an urgent intervention to address a severe garbage collection crisis in the San Miguelito District. He warned the accumulating solid waste could trigger a public health emergency. The Urban and Household Sanitation Authority (AAUD) will lead the effort with extraordinary decentralized funds.The announcement came directly via social media platform X. It followed a formal request for assistance from San Miguelito Mayor Irma Hernandez to the Secretary of Goals, Jose Icaza, who will now oversee inter-agency coordination. The national government also acknowledged the efforts of Deputy Luis Eduardo Camacho in pushing for solutions.”The government…

Most residential electricity customers in Panama will see no increase on their power bills during the first half of 2026. The Empresa de Distribución Eléctrica S.A. (ENSA) made this announcement while detailing a new tariff schedule set to take effect in January. The company serves over half a million clients across the country, primarily in Panama province.ENSA confirmed that 71.5 percent of its customers will be shielded from price hikes. This group consists mainly of residential users on the BTS rate who maintain monthly consumption between 0 and 300 kilowatt-hours. These clients will continue receiving support from the ordinary Tariff…

Panama’s government has established a new specialized task force to combat environmental offenses. The Multidisciplinary Team Specialized in Environmental Offenses and Crimes, known as EME-AMBIENTAL, began operations this week following its official publication in the state gazette.This technical-operational body will coordinate actions between the Ministry of Environment (Panama) and multiple public security agencies. Its creation represents a significant step in strengthening the country’s environmental protection framework.Legal Framework and MandateThe task force finds its legal basis in Panama’s Constitution, which mandates state regulation of natural resources. It also draws authority from the General Environmental Law of 1998 and the 2015 legislation…

Panama’s tourism sector posted significant gains throughout 2025, solidifying the country’s position as a regional destination for both leisure and business travel. Official data released this year shows historic performance from the flagship Panama Stopover program alongside strong growth in international meetings and conventions.The Panama Stopover initiative surpassed its goal of attracting 200,000 visitors, marking an all-time high since its launch. During the first half of the year alone, the program saw an 18 percent increase compared to the same period in 2024. This result sets a new record for the promotional campaign started in 2019.Developed jointly by the Panama…

Panama City’s municipal government has declared its flagship casco peatonal program a resounding success for 2025. The initiative, which transforms the historic casco antiguo district into a recurring pedestrian zone, attracted an estimated 700,000 participants over ten monthly editions from March through December.Officials from the Municipality of Panama released year-end data showing the program generated approximately 14 million balboas in local economic activity. This figure was calculated based on average attendee spending across transportation, food, local commerce, entrepreneurial ventures, and cultural services.”The constant programming attracted residents, visitors, and tourists, turning the Casco Antiguo into an active, safe, and community-oriented space,”…