Author: Sebastian Pieper
Inside Panama’s overcrowded prisons, a power shift is underway. The country’s new prison director has declared that incarcerated individuals will no longer control the facilities. Chanan Singh, recently appointed to lead the Panama prison system, announced a sweeping reclassification of inmates starting this week. His message was blunt. “The deprived of liberty are not going to be in charge of the system,” Singh said during a television interview. “The state and the penitentiary system are going to assume their responsibility. The control of the deprived of liberty within the penitentiary system is over.” [Translated from Spanish] The reclassification process will…
Kevin Yamal Cobel Miranda has spent half a year preparing for the biggest challenge of his young life. The 14-year-old will face more than 70 arithmetic problems in just five minutes, competing against hundreds of children from around the world. But when asked about the upcoming tournament, he does not talk about nerves or pressure. He talks about his country. “I am very excited because at last they can come to see our beautiful country, meet its people, its culture, the food. They will know that Panama is a very beautiful country,” Miranda said. Aloha Mental Arithmetic has chosen Panama…
Mika was found dying in a drainage ditch. The mixed-breed dog, roughly seven years old, lay in a gutter in the Paraíso sector of San Miguelito, too weak to lift her head. She suffered from severe anemia, skin problems, and heat stroke. Her body was ravaged by neglect. Today, after weeks of intensive veterinary care, Mika is healthy. She is described as sweet and sociable. This July, she will stand among nearly one hundred other rescued animals, hoping someone finally gives her a home. Her story represents a larger crisis in Panama, where adult pets are consistently overlooked by potential…
Panama’s rice farmers have a clear message for the government: stop relying on imports and start investing in water infrastructure. The call comes as the El Niño phenomenon continues to disrupt planting cycles across the country, though producers insist there is no immediate threat of shortages. Omar Spiegel, spokesperson for Panama’s rice producers, told reporters that existing inventories will keep shelves stocked through March 2027. Spiegel explained that the El Niño phenomenon effects on agriculture have forced farmers to completely rethink their planting schedules. Many producers delayed sowing until conditions improved, particularly during the first phase of the agricultural cycle.…
The race to build two massive container terminals at opposite ends of the Panama Canal has officially entered a new phase. Companies from around the world submitted their qualification documents on July 9, marking a critical step forward for a project that could reshape trade routes across the Americas. The Panama Canal Authority confirmed that the deadline was met, pushing the estimated 2.6 billion dollar infrastructure plan closer to reality. This is not just about moving boxes. The proposed terminals at Corozal on the Pacific side and Telfers on the Atlantic side represent something much bigger. They aim to capture…
The future of copper mining in Panama hangs in the balance as government officials begin face-to-face talks with local leaders. Commerce and Industries Minister Julio Moltó confirmed that his team has started engaging directly with mayors from regions directly affected by mining operations. These conversations mark a new phase in the government’s review of a comprehensive audit report on the Cobre Panama mine. Moltó met with the mayors of Donoso Panama, La Pintada, and Omar Torrijos districts. The goal was straightforward. He wanted to hear their concerns firsthand. “Definitively, listening to them was vital for us,” Moltó said. ‘We are…
Dozens of relatives carrying handwritten signs gathered outside Panama’s Ministry of Government on Tuesday, demanding changes to strict restrictions inside several detention centers. The protesters, many holding photos of incarcerated family members, said they could no longer deliver basic necessities like soap, medicine and other essential supplies to their loved ones behind bars. The demonstration marked the first major public test for the country’s newly appointed prison director. After the protest, a small delegation of family members met with Chanan Singh, who took over as head of the Panama penitentiary system just days earlier. Singh listened to their complaints about…
The Montijo District in Panama’s Veraguas province has officially declared a health and environmental emergency. The decision comes after local residents blocked access to the municipal landfill, leaving trash to pile up across communities. The Municipal Council approved the measure through Agreement No. 6-2026, which was published in the Official Gazette No. 30563-A. The crisis began when residents from Buena Vista Norte and El Florentino unilaterally shut down the landfill. This action stopped all final waste disposal for the district. Without a working dump, garbage has accumulated in multiple communities. Officials warn this creates serious public health risks and environmental…
Panamanian authorities swept across four provinces Wednesday morning, executing 23 search warrants in what they called Operation Pandora. The target was a sophisticated network of private citizens and government employees accused of stealing over $40 million from the national treasury. The scheme allegedly exploited the country’s electronic tax system, known as E-Tax, to generate phony credits that were then sold for profit. The investigation, led by the First Specialized Prosecutor’s Office Against Organized Crime, has already identified 19 suspects with active arrest warrants. Raids took place in Panama, Panama Oeste, Colon and Cocle provinces. Officials recovered computers, servers and paper…
For years, residents in Panama’s northern districts have watched their neighborhoods swell with new families while healthcare options stayed frustratingly limited. Now, a long-awaited hospital project has taken a decisive step forward, though with an unexpected twist. Only one company remains in the running to build the Panama Norte Hospital, a facility designed to serve one of the capital’s fastest-growing populations. The Evaluation Commission for the Ministry of Health Panama determined that Administración y Supervisión de Obras Civiles, S.A. was the sole bidder to meet all administrative, financial, and technical requirements. This revelation came from the commission’s official report on…