Author: spieper

Panama’s Maritime Authority confirmed the safe transport of more than 17,000 passengers by sea during the first weekend of the country’s Patriotic Holidays. The national maritime operation concluded without a single incident or penalty reported, according to an official statement released Monday. This massive logistical effort successfully moved travelers to popular coastal destinations across the Central American nation.The detailed report from the Maritime Authority of Panama showed passenger numbers peaked on Saturday, November 1, with 14,455 people traveling aboard 1,470 vessels. Sunday saw an additional 2,708 passengers continue their maritime journeys. These figures represent one of the busiest holiday travel…

Panamanian authorities have reopened the popular Bastimentos Island National Marine Park to visitors. The Ministry of Environment announced the decision on Monday, November 3, following a closure prompted by adverse weather conditions. This allows tour operators, guides, boat operators, and tourists to resume activities in one of the Bocas del Toro archipelago’s most frequented destinations. The reopening came after the country’s Maritime Authority reauthorized vessel departures to the protected area. Officials from the National Civil Protection System (Panama) also recommended lifting the access restrictions. Their joint assessment concluded that conditions had improved sufficiently to permit safe public access once more.…

The CAF – banco de Desarrollo de América Latina / Bank of Development in Latin America, has approved a massive new financing program for Panama. This three and a half billion dollar commitment aims to accelerate economic growth and job creation in the country. President Sergio Díaz Granados announced the strategic partnership during a launch event for the upcoming Panama 2026 International Economic Forum.The new “Estrategia País Panamá” initiative represents a significant deepening of the 28 year relationship between the multilateral lender and the Central American nation. Over the next five years, from 2025 to 2029, these substantial credit lines…

A judge in Panama City has issued strict precautionary measures against four individuals, including family members of a detained union leader, as part of a major money laundering investigation. Judge Carmelo Abdiel Zambrano of the First Judicial Circuit handed down the rulings following a guarantees hearing, court documents show.The decision directly impacts the family of Jaime Caballero, a prominent leader with the Suntracs construction workers’ union who is currently incarcerated. Those now under court order include Caballero’s daughter, Kathia Elena Caballero Batista, his wife, Maria Isabel Cordero, and fellow union leaders Abdiel Bethancourt and Jose Palacios.Court Imposes Strict Controls on…

Panama will undergo international scrutiny of its human rights record this week during a formal United Nations assessment. The country’s fourth Universal Periodic Review before the UN Human Rights Council begins Wednesday, November 5, in Geneva, Switzerland. This mandatory evaluation occurs every five years for all UN member states and provides a comprehensive examination of Panama’s progress and shortcomings in human rights protection.The review places Panama among fourteen nations scheduled for assessment during the Council’s session running from November 3 to 14. Panama’s previous examinations in 2010, 2015, and 2020 documented both institutional advances and persistent challenges regarding equity, justice,…

Panama’s Caja de Seguro Social (CSS) is cooperating with authorities after the arrest of one of its employees in Chiriquí province. The social security agency confirmed it has provided all requested information to investigators examining potential corruption allegations. This development occurred on November 1, 2025, according to official statements from the institution.The Caja de Seguro Social (CSS) moved quickly to distance itself from the detained official. Agency representatives emphasized their full collaboration with the ongoing investigation. They pledged complete transparency throughout the legal process.”The CSS categorically rejects all acts of corruption and maintains a policy of zero tolerance for any…

Panama will prohibit all single use plastic and polystyrene products within its national protected areas starting January 1, 2026. The country’s Ministry of Environment (MiAmbiente) formalized the sweeping ban through Resolution No. DM-0496-2025, which it published in the Official Digital Gazette. This decisive action aims to protect the nation’s natural ecosystems from materials that persistently contaminate soil, rivers, and coastlines.The new regulation applies universally to anyone entering the Sistema Nacional de Áreas Protegidas (SINAP). Visitors, tour operators, concession holders, researchers, contractors, volunteers, and public officials must all comply. Officials designed the policy to directly confront a severe pollution problem. Panama…

A major national security operation of the Panama police recorded one fatality and 135 traffic infractions during its second day. The Ministry of Public Security and the National Police released these preliminary figures from the ongoing patrols for the country’s national holidays in November. Authorities have deployed more than 12,000 officers nationwide to manage public safety and traffic flow.Official data from the ministry detailed three separate traffic accidents, though none resulted in injuries. The operation also required seven tow trucks to handle various roadside emergencies across the country’s main transit corridors. The most common infractions cited by officers included 38…

Panama City will host its annual patriotic today on Monday, November 3, commemorating the nation’s separation from Colombia. The festivities coincide with a nationwide weather advisory for unstable atmospheric conditions, including widespread rain and potential electrical storms. More than 85 delegations from schools, independent bands, and security forces are scheduled to participate in the celebrations. The Institute of Meteorology and Hydrology of Panama (IMHPA) issued the advisory, warning citizens of significant weather disruptions throughout the country. The forecast calls for mostly cloudy skies and precipitation across most regions, with the potential for isolated heavy showers and electrical activity from the…

Panamanian President Jose Raul Mulino led the nation’s traditional “dianas” at dawn today, Monday, November 3, 2025. The early morning musical salute officially commenced celebrations for Panama’s 122nd year as an independent republic. The event took place at 5:00 a.m. in front of the presidential palace, marking the anniversary of the country’s separation from Colombia in 1903. A significant crowd of citizens gathered to witness the patriotic ceremony despite the early hour. The musical bands from various security institutions and the Honorable Firefighters of Panama provided the soundtrack for the celebration. National ministers and government authorities joined Mulino and First…