Author: spieper

PANAMA CITY, Panama – A decisive majority of Panamanian businesses now rank sustainability as their top strategic priority, signaling a fundamental shift in the nation’s corporate landscape. According to new data, 62% of companies in Panama have positioned sustainable practices at the forefront of their operations, moving beyond rhetoric to integrate purpose-driven growth into their core business models. The findings, detailed in a recent analysis by the Chamber of Commerce, Industries, and Agriculture of Panama (CCIAP), reveal that profitability and social responsibility are increasingly viewed as complementary objectives. This evolution is driven by a new generation of companies recognizing that…

PANAMA CITY, Panama – The Institute for Training and Human Resource Development (IFARHU) will begin distributing the first payment of its 2025 Scholarships and Economic Assistance programs on October 20, 2025. The state agency announced a total investment of $14,040,615.00, which will benefit 71,584 students across central Panama.The massive disbursement targets students at the Basic, Pre-secondary, and Secondary education levels. It encompasses several key programs, including the General Competition, Distinguished Position, Educational Economic Assistance, and specialized assistance for students with disabilities. Funding is also allocated for programs aimed at the eradication of child labor, sports, and academic and cultural events.”This…

PORTOBELO, Panama – Hundreds of faithful pilgrims from across Panama are walking the historic route to the San Felipe Church in Portobelo this week to honor the revered Black Christ statue in one of the country’s most profound religious traditions. The annual pilgrimage, culminating on October 21, sees devotees traveling kilometers on foot to fulfill promises, request favors, or give thanks for miracles attributed to the Nazarene. The journey from Sabanitas to Portobelo in Colón Province has transformed into a continuous stream of worshippers, many participating in family groups while others walk alongside friends or organized religious associations. National Police…

PANAMA CITY, Panama – The Ministry of Public Works (MOP) announced it will conduct essential repair work on the deck of the Bridge of the Americas, with nighttime operations scheduled from October 20 to October 31, 2025. The project, part of the ongoing “Maintenance and Evaluation of the Bridge of the Americas” initiative, aims to ensure the safety and structural integrity of this critical national infrastructure. Work will occur nightly from 9:00 p.m. to 3:30 a.m. to minimize disruption to the high volume of daily traffic.Official Announcement and Project DetailsThe Ministry of Public Works issued a formal statement confirming the…

**Panama Implements New Medical Certificate Verification to Combat Fraud**PANAMA CITY, Panama – The Panamanian Ministry of Health (Minsa) has enacted a new executive decree establishing a strict verification procedure for medical sick leave certificates, effective August 11, 2025. The regulation, Decreto Ejecutivo N.° 17 de 2025, aims to combat the proliferation of fraudulent medical certificates that have caused significant administrative and labor issues nationwide. This policy shift mandates that certificates must accurately reflect patient care and be issued only after an in-person evaluation by the treating physician.The government’s decisive action targets a long-standing problem of false or unjustified sick leave.…

PANAMA CITY, Panama – The national final of TalenPro 2025, a major educational and artistic movement, will be broadcast live this Sunday, October 19, from the Arena Roberto Durán. Created by songwriter Erika Ender through her Open Doors Foundation and produced by TVN, the event aims to promote young Panamanian talent and social commitment through art, with this year’s proceeds supporting school cafeterias in need.The live broadcast will air immediately after the Weekend News at 7:00 p.m. on TVN. Over 2,000 students participated in regional stages, with finalists from the East, Central, and West zones now competing for national titles…

**Panama Supreme Court Dismisses Challenge to Río Indio Reservoir Project**PANAMA CITY, Panama – The Supreme Court of Justice has unanimously rejected a constitutional challenge aimed at halting the Panama Canal Authority’s (ACP) flagship Río Indio multipurpose reservoir project. The lawsuit, filed by a farmers’ collective, contested the project’s budgetary priority status, a critical step for its advancement.The court’s decision, issued this week, prevents a legal delay for a key infrastructure initiative designed to secure water for the Panama Canal’s operations and surrounding communities. The ruling allows the ACP to continue its planning and investment processes for the reservoir, a central…

PANAMA CITY, PANAMA – The Panama Maritime Authority (AMP) confirmed on Saturday, October 18, 2025, that it is investigating the separate deaths of two crew members. One fatality occurred on a Panamanian-flagged coastal vessel and the other on a UK-registered international merchant ship. The incidents, both attended to by authorities on Friday, October 17, are under formal investigation by the AMP’s Department of Maritime Accident Investigation and the Panamanian Public Ministry.The AMP issued an official statement expressing its profound regret over the deaths and extending sincere condolences to the families and colleagues of the deceased seafarers. The authority reiterated its…

PANAMA CITY, Panama – Panama is confronting a systemic failure in its protection mechanisms for women after a series of femicides involving victims who had active restraining orders against their aggressors. The recent brutal murder of a young woman in Pocrí de Aguadulce, which followed a pattern of other recorded killings, has triggered national alarm and urgent calls from officials and advocates for a complete overhaul of the country’s response to gender-based violence.The case in Pocrí de Aguadulce is the latest in a string of shocking crimes that have laid bare the fatal gaps in Panama’s legal and institutional frameworks…

**Panama President Mulino Denounces US Diplomat Over Visa Threat Allegations**PANAMA CITY, Panama – President José Raúl Mulino publicly confirmed and condemned alleged threats made by a United States embassy official against Panamanian business figures on Thursday, October 17, 2025. The accusations, which involve warnings to revoke U.S. visas over commercial dealings with Chinese companies, have prompted a cautious but firm response from the Panamanian government, signaling a potential strain in bilateral relations.Foreign Minister Javier Martínez Acha responded to the President’s statements later the same day, affirming the government’s position. He emphasized that while Panama would act with discretion, it was…