Author: Sebastian Pieper

Hundreds of families in Panama Oeste province may finally see their dreams of homeownership become reality. The Ministry of Housing and Land Management Panama has officially relaunched the long-dormant Loma de Mastranto housing project, a development that sat abandoned for more than 15 years. Thieves stripped the empty homes of everything valuable, from copper wiring to bathroom fixtures. Now the government is stepping in to rebuild from scratch. From Vandalism to Renewal What was once a symbol of broken promises became a target for scavengers. Ariel Guevara, the provincial director for Miviot, described the scene during a recent inspection. “It’s…

The Panamanian government has appointed a new director general for its penitentiary system following one of the most significant prison breaks in the country’s history. Chanan Singh, a former U.S. Army soldier with decades of security experience, now faces the challenge of restoring order to a system shaken by crisis. Singh’s appointment came directly from the Ministry of Government. He replaces Jorge Torregroza, who resigned on June 19 after 195 inmates escaped from Panama’s La Joyita prison escape on June 1. That incident, which involved a violent riot, left three prisoners dead and triggered widespread searches across multiple detention facilities.…

In the highlands of western Panama, a paradox is unfolding. Farmers in the Tierras Altas region are watching their fields yield bumper crops of potatoes and onions, yet many are struggling to break even. The problem is simple math: too much supply chasing too little demand. Sara Navarro, a local merchant who buys directly from growers, described the current market reality. “Right now, a pound of potatoes in the field is going for 32 cents, and onions are between 30 and 34 cents. That’s really low,” she said. “Sales are very weak across all products” [Translated from Spanish] The situation…

Gloria Lina Hernández still remembers the feel of Panamanian clay in her hands as a child, learning from elders who refused to let ancient techniques die. Now, as the Master Artisan of 2025, she will help welcome the largest gathering of craftspeople in Panama’s history. The 46th edition of the National Handicraft Fair of Panama will take over the Atlapa Convention Center from July 29 to August 2, bringing together 677 artisans from every province and indigenous territory in the country. That number shatters previous attendance records and fills every available space in the venue for the first time ever.…

The political landscape inside Panama’s Legislative Branch has shifted dramatically. Three lawmakers recently left the Vamos bancada, shrinking it to 15 members. This change has created a new power dynamic. Now, the fight for control of the Budget Committee is exposing the true strength of the alliances that put Shirley Castañeda in the speaker’s chair. For Panama’s National Assembly, committee assignments are more than bureaucratic housekeeping. They are the real measure of political power. The Budget Committee is widely seen as the most influential permanent commission. It controls the purse strings of the government. Whoever leads it has a direct…

For the first time in its history, Panama sent an official delegation to the Paris Tropical Carnival this year. The event took place on July 5 along the iconic Champs Elysees Avenue, drawing thousands of spectators. Panama’s presence marked a significant step in the country’s efforts to showcase its cultural heritage on the global stage. The delegation featured traditional dancers and cultural representatives who displayed some of Panama’s most recognizable folkloric attire. Among the garments presented were the formal pollera, the Ocueno-style pollera, the basquina, and the Congo pollera. Each piece of clothing tells a different story about Panama’s regional…

The cobblestones of the Casco Antiguo of Panama City have seen centuries of history. Now they face a new challenge from modern tourism. Since July 1, officials have enforced a strict ban on large tourist buses, cargo trucks, and any vehicle exceeding seven tons in this UNESCO-protected neighborhood. The move aims to save the aging infrastructure from further damage. Residents have long complained about crumbling roads. The intersection of Ninth Street and Central Avenue has become a particular headache, with heavy traffic causing congestion and safety risks. Local shop owners say the deteriorating pavement hurts business. Tourists struggle to navigate…

When Sumilexy Miller looks at the numbers coming across her desk, she sees a troubling pattern. The director of Panama’s National Amber Alert System said the country recorded 594 reports of missing minors between January and June of 2026 alone. That figure doubles the monthly average authorities saw during the previous two years. Between 2024 and 2025, officials typically received between 50 and 55 reports each month. Now that number has climbed dramatically, raising questions about what is driving the increase and whether current prevention strategies are working. Since the launch of the National Amber Alert System in 2024, authorities…

The government of President Jose Raul Mulino has firmly ruled out returning to regulated prices as a tool to manage the cost of living. Instead, officials are betting on a sweeping efficiency overhaul of the supply chain. The announcement came during the rollout of the ambitious “Panama For You” social program. Ramon Abadi, director of the Panama Consumer Protection and Competition Authority, delivered the message with striking clarity. He described price controls as a market distortion that will not return under this administration. “Totally ruled out. Regulated prices are a distortion of the market,” Abadi said. He acknowledged such measures…

Drivers heading toward Panama West faced significant delays Monday morning after a tractor-trailer burst into flames along the Centenario Highway. The blaze erupted in the cab of an articulated truck near the Merca Panama area, forcing emergency crews to shut down lanes while they battled the fire. Witnesses reported seeing thick black smoke rising from the vehicle as flames engulfed the front section of the rig. The Panama Fire Department dispatched multiple units to the scene, where firefighters worked quickly to contain the blaze and prevent it from spreading to nearby vehicles or structures. ‘We are investigating the circumstances surrounding…