Author: spieper
Panama Metro, S.A. will begin installing the structural beams for its new underground monorail line on Monday, December 22. This crucial step advances the construction of Line 3, a major infrastructure project designed to transform transportation in Panama West. The work marks a decisive phase for the tunnel, which currently shows 46 percent overall progress. Crews will transport and assemble the massive running beams that will form the track bed inside the subterranean portion of the line. Operations are scheduled from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on weekdays. Officials confirmed no beam transfers will occur on December 24, 25, 30,…
The flow of migrants through Panama’s treacherous Darién Gap has collapsed this year, falling by over 99 percent according to official figures. Panamanian authorities directly attribute this unprecedented drop to new border control measures enacted by United States President Donald Trump and reinforced security operations in neighboring countries. In a parallel shift, the nation is now witnessing a significant reverse migration of people returning south from the U.S.Only 3,086 migrants crossed the jungle region in 2025, a staggering decline from the 302,203 people who made the journey in 2024. This represents a 99.1 percent reduction in one of the Western…
The Ministry of Agricultural Development (Panama) has initiated a comprehensive national agenda to develop organic farming across the country. Minister Roberto Linares announced the strategy, which aims to transform Panama’s agricultural model toward greater sustainability and competitiveness. The plan focuses on creating a more sustainable and healthy production system. It aligns the national agricultural sector with global trends in responsible consumption and environmental protection. The ministry views this shift as a core component of improving national food security. Building Institutional Capacity for National Rollout As a first step, the MIDA conducted a specialized training program for its technical staff from…
Argentina, Paraguay, Panama, Bolivia, Ecuador, and Peru issued a joint declaration on Friday expressing profound concern over Venezuela’s severe migration, humanitarian, and social crisis. The statement, released after a high-level meeting on December 20, also condemned the ongoing human rights situation within the troubled South American nation. The collective pronouncement marks a significant diplomatic move by the six countries, which span South and Central America. It directly calls on Venezuelan authorities to adhere to international human rights standards. This action aligns with repeated warnings from global bodies about persistent arbitrary detentions and forced disappearances in Venezuela. Reaffirming Democratic Principles In…
Two Panamanian fishermen were rescued from their sinking vessel in the Pacific Ocean early Saturday morning. The Servicio Nacional Aeronaval (National Aeronaval Service) executed the successful operation south of Otoque Island.The national agency’s rescue teams located the distressed boat around dawn on December 20. Officials reported the small yellow and white vessel was taking on water in rough seas, creating a high-risk situation for its two occupants.Coordinated Search and Rescue EffortThe rescue mission unfolded through coordinated efforts between two key operational centers. The National Directorate of Aeronaval Operations (Dinoa) and the Regional Center of Aeronaval Operations (Croan) managed the response.…
Work crews have started emergency maintenance on the raw water intake for the Penonomé district treatment plant in Panama’s Coclé Province. The Institute of National Aqueducts and Sewers (Idaan) launched the project this weekend to safeguard drinking water supplies ahead of the annual dry season. These urgent measures aim to prevent the recurrent water shortages that typically affect the region when river levels drop.The operations focus on the Zaratí River, the primary water source for the local Potabilizadora (Water Treatment Plant). Teams are restructuring an existing weir in the riverbed to ensure adequate water levels for the plant’s effective operation.…
Panamanian President Jose Raul Mulino arrived in Foz do Iguaçu, Brazil on Friday to participate in the 67th Summit of the Southern Common Market. The summit, held on Saturday, December 20, marks Panama’s second official intervention as an associate state of the regional bloc. Mulino’s central mission is to formally present the law ratifying a key economic agreement to the gathered heads of state, a critical step for Panama’s deeper integration.This move represents a strategic effort to solidify Panama’s economic and political positioning within South America. The government views the ratification as an essential requirement to consolidate its associate state…
Panama’s National Decentralization Authority (AND) has launched a digital platform allowing citizens to track thousands of community projects funded by decentralization funds. The new tool, which includes an interactive map and dashboard, provides real-time data on over 4,700 approved initiatives across the country’s provinces and indigenous regions.AND Director Róxana Méndez announced the platform’s launch this week. She stated the system aims to bring unprecedented transparency to how local governments spend public money. Since the current administration began, officials have approved projects worth more than 130.3 million dollars for municipal and community boards.”This tool allows any citizen to consult, in a…
Thirty-six years after the United States military intervention in Panama, the families of 236 people reported missing continue their search for answers. On December 20, 1989, a night of bombing and ground assaults left a wound that has yet to heal for hundreds of Panamanians. A special commission and the nation’s Public Ministry are now engaged in a painstaking forensic effort to locate and identify the remains of those lost during the United States invasion of Panama. The work focuses on the chaotic hours between the night of December 19 and the early morning of December 20. Combat erupted at…
Panama’s Social Security Fund (CSS) has placed 18 clinics and 15 hospitals on a nationwide green alert. The preventive measure addresses an expected increase in medical emergencies during the Christmas and New Year holidays. The alert period runs from midday on December 24 through the morning of January 2, 2026.Emergency services at these facilities will operate with reinforced medical staff, medications, and surgical supplies. The state insurer aims to ensure uninterrupted care for its beneficiaries during a traditionally high-demand period. Nearly six thousand CSS workers are scheduled to cover the holidays.”The objective is to ensure the response capacity of our…