Author: Editorial Team

The Santo Tomás Hospital in Panama City has opened a newly remodeled waiting area specifically for patients arriving with injuries from violent incidents. Health Minister Fernando Boyd inaugurated the space this week as the hospital’s emergency department faces unprecedented pressure from a surge in trauma cases. Hospital administrators decided to create the dedicated area to streamline care for victims of assaults and shootings. The renovation also improved admission areas and consulting offices. Officials say the changes are a direct response to a sharp increase in patients needing urgent trauma care over the past two years. Minister Boyd emphasized the upgrade’s…

Panama’s Ministry of Labor and Labor Development discovered 37 foreign workers in an irregular immigration status during a surprise inspection of the strategic Fourth Bridge over the Panama Canal. Minister Jackeline Muñoz led the operation this week, calling the violations a serious infraction on a project of national importance. The inspection followed a formal complaint filed with the ministry’s labor inspection directorate. Authorities identified a total of 43 foreign workers on the site. Most lacked the proper legal documentation required to work in the country. The joint inspection involved Panama’s National Police, the National Migration Service, and technical staff from…

The Penonomé District in central Panama will host a major cultural parade on April 25. Organizers designed the event to strengthen local identity as the town marks its 445th founding anniversary. Called the Paseo de Usanzas Penonomeñas, the initiative aims to preserve regional customs for younger generations. A committee led by Hilda Morán, Emy Figueroa, and María José Thomas is coordinating the activities. “Usanza refers to those customs and traditions that give you an identity,” explained organizer Emy Figueroa. [Translated from Spanish] The celebration focuses specifically on traditions unique to Penonomé rather than general Panamanian folklore. Organizers say this distinction…

Panamanian authorities extradited an Iranian citizen to the United States this week. The individual faces serious charges for the alleged illegal export of sensitive American technology.The United States Embassy in Panama City confirmed the extradition in an official statement released on Friday. It highlighted the operation as a key example of international judicial cooperation between the two nations. The embassy framed the action as part of ongoing bilateral efforts to enforce the rule of law and hold malign actors accountable.In its statement, the US diplomatic mission expressed clear appreciation for Panama’s role.”The United States thanks Panama for its strong collaboration…

The Apostolic Vicariate of Darién in Panama suspended a priest from all public ministry this week. Bishop Pedro Joaquín Hernández Cantero issued the decree against Father Gustavo Rivas, a diocesan priest, effective Wednesday, April 8, 2026. The official notification explicitly forbids Father Rivas from celebrating Mass, hearing confessions, or preaching. He cannot perform any priestly ministry anywhere, according to the document released by the bishop’s office. This administrative action follows a period of pastoral outreach that failed to resolve the underlying issues. Canonical Justification for the Suspension Bishop Hernández cited specific church law as the foundation for his decision. The…

The University of Panama has partnered with clothing retailer American Eagle Outfitters on a sustainability campaign to turn old denim into new school bags. The “Recycle Your Jeans” initiative, launched this week, invites the university community to donate unwanted jeans for transformation and donation to a rural school. The collection drive is scheduled for a single day in April 2026. Organized through the university’s Office of Student Affairs, the campaign aims to address textile waste while directly supporting educational needs. Donated denim will serve as the raw material for crafting school bags, which will be delivered to students at the…

The Panamanian government has formally moved to regulate the country’s digital ride-hailing sector. A new executive decree establishes a legal framework for app-based luxury taxi services, placing them under the direct oversight of the Land Transit and Transportation Authority (ATTT) for the first time. The regulations, approved on April 16, aim to bring order to a segment that has operated without clear government supervision for years.This action follows several days of meetings between officials and driver representatives. It represents a significant shift for services like Uber, DiDi, and InDrive, which have expanded in Panama without standardized fares or direct regulatory…

Panama’s Ministry of Public Works has begun installing a network of 28 high-pressure sensors on the iconic Bridge of the Americas. This real time structural monitoring initiative is a direct response to a serious fire and explosion on the bridge last month. The project aims to ensure the safety of a critical artery used by over 65,000 vehicles daily. Crews are placing the devices at various points along the bridge’s span. Officials say the sensors will continuously measure movements and vibrations, providing instant data on the structure’s behavior. This system is part of a broader maintenance and rehabilitation program following…

The Panama City Municipal Council has approved a major administrative restructuring designed to accelerate and digitize municipal permit processes. Officials sanctioned Agreement No. 79-A this week, creating a specialized Permits and Compliance Department to centralize authorization and inspection services. This reorganization merges several key functions into a single unit. The move aims to slash bureaucratic delays for residents and businesses seeking operational permits. It represents a core component of Mayor Mayer Mizrachi’s broader push to modernize city hall operations through technology and streamlined procedures. Mayor Mizrachi formally ratified the agreement, which dissolves the old Legal and Justice Directorate. He framed…

The Panamanian government has launched a strategic roadmap to establish a national Pact for Nature. This initiative aims to unify the country’s response to its most pressing environmental challenges, including climate change and biodiversity loss. Officials from the Ministry of Environment (Panama) presented the plan this week in Panama City. They argued that historically isolated efforts by governments and organizations have limited the effectiveness of environmental solutions. The new pact seeks to align public institutions, the private sector, and civil society under a single, coordinated long-term strategy. “We must work together and unite in a single effort, which is the…