Author: spieper

The Supreme Court of Justice of Panama has declared the foundational contract with Panama Ports Company, S.A. (PPC) unconstitutional. This landmark ruling, delivered this week, also nullifies a 25-year extension granted to the operator in 2021. Legal representatives for the plaintiffs argue the contract repeatedly prioritized private interests over public good, violating at least 13 constitutional articles.The decision directly impacts the long-term operations of a major terminal operator at the panama ports. It sends a powerful message about the enforcement of constitutional principles in state agreements. Officials now face the complex task of determining the operational and financial aftermath of…

The Disney Adventure cruise ship made maritime history this week by becoming the largest passenger vessel ever to transit the Panama Canal. The record-setting transit occurred on Monday through the Agua Clara locks in Colon province, marking a significant milestone for both the canal authority and the global cruise industry.Operated by the Disney Cruise Line, the Disney Adventure measures 342 meters in length and 46 meters in beam. It boasts a gross tonnage of 208,000 and an approximate capacity for 6,700 passengers, figures that easily surpass the previous record holder.Official Recognition for a Landmark TransitPanama Canal Administrator Ricaurte Vásquez was…

Panama’s Ministry of Health has confirmed a continued national decrease in tuberculosis incidence and mortality. Official data shows the rate fell from 47.7 cases per 100,000 people in 2024 to 44.7 per 100,000 in 2025.The total number of reported cases dropped from 2,156 to 2,044 during that period. Deaths attributed to the disease also saw a significant reduction, declining from 267 fatalities in 2024 to 181 the following year.Health Officials Credit Surveillance and Early DetectionEdwin Aizpurua, head of the Tuberculosis Control Section at the Ministry of Health, linked the positive trend to improved public health strategies. He emphasized the role…

Panamanian authorities arrested three individuals this week following an aggravated robbery targeting a digital platform driver. The incident occurred in the San Miguelito District and involved a firearm. A swift police response led to the suspects’ capture within hours of the crime.Preliminary reports from the National Police of Panama indicate the suspects used a ride-hailing app to summon the driver to the Torrijos Carter area. Upon arrival, the individuals allegedly threatened the driver with a gun. They then stole his personal belongings and fled the scene in his vehicle.Coordinated Police Operation Leads to ApprehensionAn immediate search operation tracked the stolen…

More than 80 public schools across Panama’s Bocas del Toro Province will receive comprehensive maintenance and upgrades ahead of the 2026 school year. The national Ministry of Education (Panama) confirmed the initiative this week, detailing a plan that combines infrastructure repairs with a critical push for universal internet access.Work crews have already completed interventions at 40 educational centers under what officials describe as a continuous maintenance program. The scope of the current provincial push, however, is far more extensive. It targets structural improvements and technological integration simultaneously.”The focus is on improving infrastructure and classroom conditions for students,” a Ministry of…

A 67 year old woman was rescued by firefighters after becoming trapped inside an elevator at the Brisas del Golf station on Panama’s Metro Line 2. The incident occurred on Friday, with video of the emergency response spreading widely on social media. Official reports state the woman remained trapped for six to seven minutes before emergency crews arrived on the scene. Personnel from the San Miguelito fire department station responded to the call and executed rescue maneuvers to free the passenger. Lieutenant Gerardo Beca of the fire service explained that rescuers applied specialized techniques during the operation. They were required…

Panama’s December 20, 1989 Commission has announced a new phase of exhumations at the Jardin de Paz Cemetery. The work aims to identify victims of the United States military invasion that occurred that month. Specialized forensic teams will begin the process on Monday, February 2.The effort is part of a long-running state initiative to provide answers to families. It focuses on graves containing unidentified human remains from the conflict. The Public Ministry is overseeing the operation, which will be conducted by Panama’s Legal Medicine and Forensic Sciences Institute (Imelcf).”These actions are carried out with absolute respect for the dignity of…

Panama’s Ministry of Environment has initiated a major patrol operation across multiple protected zones in the Darién province. The operation, launched from the provincial capital of La Palma on January 31, 2026, aims to strengthen control and safeguard natural resources through continuous surveillance. Guards from the National System of Protected Areas (SINAP) are conducting the patrols. Their mission focuses on preventing illegal activities and ensuring long-term biodiversity conservation in this ecologically critical region. Targeted Conservation Zones The patrols cover a vast network of protected lands. Key areas include the Filo del Tallo Hydrological Reserve, the Bagre Corridor, and Punta Patiño.…

The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and Panama’s National Secretariat for Science, Technology, and Innovation (Senacyt) have launched a new pilot program. This initiative, called the IHCAVA Ideathon and Hackathon, aims to generate technological solutions for the agricultural sector in Chiriquí province. The program officially began its first phase in late January 2026. Designed to strengthen the local agro-industrial value chain, the project connects farmers, agricultural businesses, and tech talent. Its core objective is to transform persistent field challenges into scalable, practical innovations. The Organization for Innovation and Business Culture (INNOBUC) is providing advisory support alongside specialized mentors. “This project…

The 42nd annual Santa Fe Fair is drawing crowds this weekend in the mountainous Province of Veraguas. Local agricultural producers are the central focus, highlighting the deep-rooted farming traditions that define the district’s identity and economy.Farmers from areas like El Pantano are displaying traditional crops including cinnamon, toasted rice, bananas, and cocoa. Many utilize low-chemical, natural growing practices. The event acts as a vital platform for promoting local tourism and sustainable economic development in the region.Historic Cocoa Production Remains a Community CornerstoneAmong the traditional products, cocoa stands out for its historical, nutritional, and commercial significance. Local producer Leopoldo González explained…