Author: spieper
Colon Mayor Diogenes Galvan issued a forceful demand to Panama’s national government during independence day ceremonies, insisting it must correct a fiscal system that prevents 2,600 businesses from paying municipal taxes. The mayor delivered his sharply worded address on November 5 during flag day celebrations attended by President Jose Raul Mulino, creating a direct public challenge to the new administration. Galvan framed the situation as a structural crisis preventing basic municipal functions. He stated that while more than 4,300 companies should theoretically pay taxes in the district, the vast commercial operations centered around the Colon Free Trade Zone and private…
The Panama Canal Authority (ACP) has introduced a new fee structure for cancellations within its long-term transit reservation program. These changes, which took effect on November 1, 2025, aim to improve operational efficiency by encouraging shipping lines to cancel slots further in advance. The revised policy provides a financial incentive for early cancellations, allowing the ACP to better manage the coveted transit slots through the vital waterway.Under the new rules, cancellations made 15 days or more before a vessel’s required arrival date will now incur a charge equal to 80 percent of the awarded slot amount. This new fee is…
The family of Maria Elena Casasola is demanding Panamanian authorities reopen a medical negligence investigation they believe caused her death. Their legal battle centers on a nearly three week delay in performing emergency surgery for appendicitis at a public hospital in Bocas del Toro. Despite two court rulings that absolved the involved medical staff, the family insists the case must not be closed.Maria Elena Casasola was admitted to the Raul Davila Mena Hospital on October 18, 2017, where she received a diagnosis of unspecified appendicitis. Her surgery, however, was not performed until November 5, a full twenty days after her…
The National Institute of Aqueducts and Sewers starts installing new water pipelines along the Centenario highway near Rod Carew Stadium on Thursday, November 6. These essential infrastructure works form part of a broader initiative to provide reliable drinking water to the Kuna Nega community, directly benefiting more than ten thousand residents through improved water conduction and distribution systems.Crews will operate exclusively within the road’s right-of-way area on the Panama City-bound lane, working daily from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. The National Institute of Aqueducts and Sewers confirmed the pipeline installation will not require complete road closures since all activities remain…
Tocumen International Airport has initiated a critical $56.9 million project to rehabilitate its two main runways, which have deteriorated to the point of requiring safety inspections every thirty minutes. The airport’s manager, Jose Antonio Ruiz Blanco, confirmed the four-year contract was signed on October 20 with the consortium PYCRAT to address advanced wear that includes cracks and asphalt detachment on surfaces originally built in 1978. This extensive work will be conducted exclusively during overnight hours to avoid disrupting the airport’s growing passenger traffic, which is projected to exceed 21 million travelers this year.The urgency of the rehabilitation stems from the…
The general manager of the Colon Free Zone, Luisa Napolitano, has unveiled a comprehensive development plan to strengthen the position of the Americas’ premier commercial hub. This strategic initiative, announced this week, includes new development areas, infrastructure upgrades, water projects, and a technological modernization of the entire facility. The overarching goals are boosting competitiveness and generating more employment for the Atlantic region of Panama.Napolitano confirmed that commercial activity remains stable compared to last year’s figures. The reexport segment continues to be the primary driver moving user inventories. She expressed optimism for a positive year-end result, highlighting a particularly strong performance…
Panama’s Ministry of Environment (MiAMBIENTE) has uncovered a significant illegal logging operation inside the protected boundaries of Baru Volcano National Park. The discovery was made during a nationwide holiday patrol targeting environmental crimes in protected zones. Officials identified a deforested area showing signs of unauthorized agricultural expansion and livestock grazing in the Bajo Grande sector of the park.The joint operation involved park rangers from the National System of Protected Areas and the Environmental Police. It took place over the recent patriotic holidays, a period when authorities say pressure on vulnerable ecosystems often intensifies. A formal report was filed to halt…
National Police in Panama located a minor with an active international AMBER Alert during coordinated security operations in Chiriquí province. Authorities confirmed the discovery on Monday following a cross-border investigation initiated by Costa Rican officials. The child was found in the Chorchita sector of the Las Lomas district, though police have not disclosed the minor’s condition or the specific circumstances of the recovery.This successful location resulted from international police cooperation, according to an official statement from the National Police. The operation forms part of a broader security initiative targeting criminal activity across multiple Panamanian provinces. Police departments from both nations…
The Regional Logistic Center for Humanitarian Assistance (CLRAH) in Panama is dispatching critical supplies to Jamaica, Cuba, and Haiti. This emergency response, coordinated by Panama’s Ministry of Government, addresses widespread damage from Hurricane Melissa. The center activated its protocols this week to support regional neighbors grappling with the storm’s impact.Authorities confirmed the first shipments will contain vital water and food resources. They plan subsequent aid deliveries as damage assessments provide clearer pictures of the specific needs in each affected country. The center’s strategic location in Panama Pacifico allows for rapid logistical deployment across the Caribbean basin.Coordinated Relief Effort UnderwayAn inter-institutional…
Surgeons at Panama’s City of Health complex have successfully completed a total mastectomy with immediate reconstruction for a 31-year-old patient diagnosed with breast cancer. The multidisciplinary team performed the highly complex procedure this week, marking a significant advancement in the country’s approach to oncological surgery for younger patients. This case represents a growing trend toward immediate reconstruction following cancer removal, offering both medical and psychological benefits.The patient presented with a malignant lesion in her right breast. Medical teams determined she was an ideal candidate for the combined procedure due to her age, lack of co-existing health conditions, and overall optimal…