Author: Sebastian Pieper
Panama is facing a surge in respiratory illnesses. The Ministry of Health reported 43 influenza deaths so far this year. New data from the epidemiological report for week 19, covering May 10 to 16, shows the virus remains a serious threat. Health officials confirmed one new fatality during that week. They also updated a death from the previous week. More than half of the victims, 55.8 percent, were 65 years or older. None of the deceased had received the current season’s flu vaccine. A staggering 82 percent also skipped the 2025 vaccine. Most had underlying conditions like metabolic, cardiovascular, or…
Panama’s government confirmed a massive prison break at the notorious La Joyita Prison on Monday. Government Minister Dinoska Montalvo revealed that 195 inmates escaped the facility during a violent riot. The announcement came during a press conference held 24 hours after the incident. Three inmates died inside the prison before the mass escape occurred. National Police Director Jaime Fernández confirmed the deaths and said officers have already recaptured 123 fugitives. That leaves 72 inmates still on the loose. Police operations continue across the region. Violence Erupts Inside Prison Walls The riot caused injuries to eight additional inmates and three police…
The Panama City municipal government is exploring a new tool to punish drivers who park in prohibited areas. Mayor Mayer Mizrachi presented a proposal to the Municipal Council on Tuesday, June 2. The plan would allow temporary immobilization of vehicles blocking public spaces. Drivers who park on sidewalks, invade public easements, or stop on green areas could face new consequences. The proposal targets vehicles that “obstruct or damage public easements, sidewalks, municipal roads, green areas, and other public domain spaces,” according to the official document. [Translated from Spanish] The council agreed to send the initiative to the Legal Advisory, Labor…
Panama’s Ministry of Health has officially approved the registration forms for medicinal cannabis patients. The new system requires all users to enroll in a digital platform managed by the government. This marks a major step in implementing the country’s Panama medicinal cannabis law. The resolution, numbered 0416 and dated May 12, 2026, comes from the General Directorate of Public Health. It was published recently in the Official Gazette. The document approves specific forms and medical certifications needed for patient registration and authorized companion enrollment. Health officials consider this a critical step toward full implementation of Law 242 from October 2021,…
The mayor of Colon has announced that more than 300 municipal employees will lose their jobs. Diogenes Galvan made the statement following a controversial vote by the Colon Panama municipal council. The council approved a measure that repeals the city’s operational manual. The decision creates a legal vacuum for the local administration. Approval by insistence of Agreement 1014039 effectively cancels the Manual of Municipal Operations established under Agreement 1014007. Mayor Galvan said he has no choice but to enforce the new law. “They passed it by insistence, it has already been published in the Official Gazette and I have to…
Panama President José Raúl Mulino landed in Athens on Monday to lead the opening of Posidonia 2026, the world’s largest maritime exhibition. The trip aims to strengthen Panama’s ship registry and attract Greek investment in logistics. Mulino arrived alongside his wife and Foreign Minister Javier Martínez-Acha. The delegation’s primary mission focuses on boosting confidence in the Panamanian flag. Greek shipping companies represent a massive portion of global maritime trade. Panama wants a bigger slice of that business. The president inaugurated the Posidonia 2026 maritime exhibition at the Metropolitan Expo center. The event runs from June 1 through June 5. More…
Panama City’s top official has bestowed the city’s highest honor on a prominent Venezuelan opposition leader. Mayor Mayer Mizrachi presented the ‘Key of the City’ to Maria Corina Machado during a formal ceremony on Tuesday, May 26, 2026. The event took place at the Panama City government headquarters. The gesture symbolizes solidarity with democratic movements across the Americas. Machado visited Panama as part of a regional tour advocating for free elections in Venezuela. City officials described the award as a recognition of her fight for human rights and democratic freedoms. Ceremony Highlights Support for Democracy The event drew diplomats, local…
The Municipality of Panama’s animal welfare department has processed 683 complaints of animal abuse since its creation. Officials released the data on May 29, 2026, covering a 17-month operational period. The unit operates under the city’s Municipality of Panama structure. Bienestar Animal, the Spanish name for the Animal welfare Panama division, began operations in early 2025. The unit responds to calls about mistreatment, abandonment, and neglect across the capital district. City records show the team investigates each complaint within 48 hours of receipt. Complaint Data Shows Growing Public Engagement The 683 cases represent a steady increase in public reporting. Officials…
A joint operation between Panama’s National Police and the Ministry of Government sparked a violent prison riot and mass escape on Monday. The incident occurred at the La Joyita prison facility during an inmate redistribution procedure. Authorities remain on high alert as they work to contain the situation. The operation was intended to reorganize the prison population. Prison officials launched the redistribution effort early Monday morning. The goal was to transfer inmates between cellblocks to improve security and reduce overcrowding. But the plan backfired dramatically. Inmates overpowered guards and breached multiple security perimeters. Witnesses reported hearing gunfire and shouting coming…
The rehabilitation of Panama City’s historic Chinatown has reached nearly 60 percent completion. Engineers from the Panama City Mayor’s office confirmed the progress this week. The project targets a tentative completion date of August 15. Weather conditions could still shift that timeline. The renovation covers the Santa Ana district Panama City, a neighborhood rich with cultural history. The work focuses on road infrastructure and urban improvements. Multiple delays have slowed the effort since it began. Archaeological discoveries forced a temporary halt to construction. Workers found old railway tracks and several historical cannons during excavation. These findings triggered mandatory reviews under…