Author: Editorial Team

The Social Security Fund (CSS) of Panama is conducting a comprehensive review of its technological platform. Officials launched the probe following the possible detection of an unauthorized intrusion into its systems this week.Web services for patients and beneficiaries remain operational during the ongoing investigation. The agency confirmed it is evaluating what it described as a hacking attempt against its digital infrastructure.Contingency Plan Activated With Government PartnersAs a preventive measure, the CSS coordinated with the National Authority for Government Innovation (AIG) to activate a contingency and response plan. This joint action aims to mitigate any potential impact swiftly. The primary goal…

Panamanian child welfare officials confirmed the recovery of five teenagers on Thursday following a group escape from a state shelter earlier this week. The National Secretariat for Children, Adolescents and Family (Senniaf) reported that fifteen young people fled the Tocumen Comprehensive Care Center on Tuesday, March 24. An active Amber Alert remains in effect for the ten individuals still missing as search efforts intensify across the capital region.The incident represents one of the largest single escapes from a government care facility in recent years. Located in the populous Tocumen district, the center provides temporary housing and services for minors under…

The Panama Canal Authority (ACP) launched a major update to its long-term transit reservation system on Friday. The new program, called LoTSA 2.5, aims to provide shipping clients with more certainty and flexibility as they navigate the critical waterway.Officials described the update as a strategic enhancement to the Long-Term Slot Allocation (LoTSA) framework. It maintains the program’s core structure while introducing operational adjustments for today’s volatile maritime market. These changes directly respond to carrier feedback and shifting global trade dynamics.The revisions focus on redistributing available slots based on service package type and transit direction. A new sequential competition process by…

Mayors and local representatives across Panama confronted the nation’s finance ministry this week, demanding the complete transfer of property tax revenues owed to their municipalities. The meeting at the Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF) headquarters followed a unified show of force at the National Assembly, highlighting a deepening fiscal conflict between local and central government. Officials from the Association of Mayors of Panama (Adalpa) presented detailed financial records to Minister Felipe Chapman. These documents, they argued, prove a sustained and severe reduction in the disbursement of funds collected from the Property Tax (Impuesto de Bienes Inmuebles, IBI). Local governments…

National transport unions in Panama have agreed to temporarily halt any increase in passenger bus fares. This decision follows a first round of negotiations with the administration of President Laurentino Cortizo. Both sides are now working against the clock to find a long-term solution to rising operational costs before the fare freeze becomes unsustainable.The agreement, confirmed by union leaders on Tuesday, provides immediate relief to commuters across the country. It stems from a direct request by the Government of Panama during an initial dialogue session. Union representatives stated they will maintain current prices only while a government aid package is…

Residents of Guadalupe in La Chorrera, West Panama, blocked the Pan-American Highway on Friday. Their protest targeted the prolonged lack of potable water affecting their community for over a month. The demonstration halted traffic near La Espiga, a critical pressure tactic against the Institute of National Aqueducts and Sewers (IDAAN). Community spokespeople stated the water shortage impacts neighborhoods like Loma Virgen de Guadalupe, Caño Atlántico, and Karina. More than 2,000 people across several sectors have endured irregular or nonexistent service. This crisis forces families to rely on sporadic water truck deliveries, a situation they call completely inadequate for basic needs.…

The Government of Panama has dissolved more than 180,000 legal entities since 2016. This action forms the core of a national strategy to purge and control corporate registries, aiming to strengthen financial transparency and meet global standards.Authorities reported this week that the dissolution of 180,346 entities from the 2016 registry cohort represents 62 percent of the target for that period. A new operational phase set for March 2026 will eliminate an additional 26,000 companies, pushing the total progress to 71 percent. The systematic cleanup is a direct response to international pressure for greater financial integrity.Technological Upgrades Enable Cross-Government OversightSupporting this…

The Panama City Mayor’s Office confirmed this week that it will not implement paid parking within the popular Cinta Costera coastal roadway. Officials are instead moving forward with a new digital payment system for a separate, adjacent lot in the El Chorrillo district. The clarification came after the Municipal Council approved a dynamic pricing plan for the specific site. City spokesperson Alejandro Cohen directly addressed public concerns about the scope of the project. He stated the municipal agreement only covers the use of a defined plot of land near Barraza Street, which faces the Cinta Costera 3 section. “We are…

Panama’s National Migration Service has activated a special nationwide operation, deploying 989 agents as part of a broader “Safe Holy Week 2026” security strategy. The mobilization responds to a significant increase in traveler movement across the country during the holiday period, which began this weekend. Personnel will be stationed at strategic points to reinforce immigration controls, verify the legal status of foreigners, and prevent illicit activities. The largest concentration of agents, 663, will focus on Panama City. Other key provinces receiving substantial deployments include Chiriquí with 69 agents, Colón with 56, Herrera with 47, and Coclé with 29. The operation…

Three female leaders from Panama’s banking, technology, and creative industries shared their strategies for building businesses with social impact. The discussion took place at the Women’s Forum 2026 in Panama City on March 26. Olivia Rodriguez from Global Bank, Susana Lau of ETYALAB, and Jochebec Arjona of Jochebec Design argued that true innovation must solve real human problems. The panel titled “Innovation with Purpose” was presented by Global Bank and organized by ELLAS and La Prensa. It focused on moving beyond technological novelty to create tangible economic and social value. Each executive detailed how their company’s mission directly addresses specific…