Author: Sebastian Pieper
Panama City, Panama. Rising temperatures across the nation are driving a sustained increase in electricity consumption. The surge is primarily linked to the heavy use of air conditioning units and other household appliances, energy sector specialists confirmed this week. The country is approaching demand levels not seen since the 2023 El Niño phenomenon [Translated from Spanish]. Carlos Iglesias, the electricity coordinator for Panama’s National Energy Secretariat, stated that the Panama National Interconnected System is currently handling nearly 2,000 megawatts of demand. Consumption Spikes During Peak Heat Hours Consumption in April hovered around 1,980 megawatts. That figure continues to climb as…
Panamanian entrepreneurs aged 18 to 30 can now apply for the third edition of the “Competitive Microgrants” program. The initiative, led by Fundamorgan, aims to boost youth leadership through social and environmental business projects. Applications opened this week in Panama City. The program will award three grants of $2,000 each to strengthen winning proposals. Participants also receive comprehensive training, mentorship, and specialized support. The focus remains on developing sustainable projects with positive community impact across Panama. Fundamorgan officials confirmed the application deadline is June 2, 2026. Program Structure and Mentorship Opportunities Selected entrepreneurs will access expert mentorship and a rigorous…
Panamanian Foreign Minister Javier Martínez-Acha met with his Costa Rican counterpart Manuel Tovar in New York on Tuesday. The meeting took place during the Open Debate of the United Nations Security Council. Both leaders agreed to advance a joint work agenda focused on strategic issues for both nations. The meeting occurred at the headquarters of the United Nations. Martínez-Acha extended an invitation for Costa Rican President Laura Fernández to attend the Bicentennial commemoration of the Amphictyonic Congress of Panama. The event is scheduled for late June. It aims to strengthen political dialogue and promote regional integration across Latin American nations.…
Panama City, Panama – The Ministry of Health Panama has issued a stark warning to outdoor workers. Officials say laborers in agriculture, construction, and mining face a growing threat from a silent killer. The disease is called Non-Traditional Chronic Kidney Disease (ERCnT). This condition attacks healthy young adults. It is not caused by diabetes or high blood pressure. Instead, doctors link it directly to extreme heat and dehydration. The warning comes as temperatures across Panama reach critical levels. What Is Non-Traditional Chronic Kidney Disease? Subdirector of Health Promotion, Enélida Guerra, explained the disease in detail. She said ERCnT develops silently…
The Trump administration announced Friday that temporary visa holders seeking green cards must now return to their home countries to complete the application process. This marks a dramatic shift from current immigration practice. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services issued the directive, ending the option for most people to change their status while living in the United States. Under previous rules, roughly half of all green card applicants filed from inside the country through adjustment of status. That option is now gone for most non-immigrant visa holders. The agency cited enforcement concerns and resource allocation as primary reasons for the change.…
The Electoral Tribunal of Panama will build a new regional headquarters in Santiago de Veraguas. The project carries a budget of 7.1 million dollars. Five companies have already expressed interest in the construction tender. The new facility will sit on a 5,143 square meter property. It is adjacent to offices of the Comptroller General and the Ministry of Agricultural Development. The project includes two interconnected buildings. The main structure will have two floors. A smaller annex will house the identification card factory. Ariadna Bruggiati, the Infrastructure Director for the Electoral Tribunal, detailed the plans. The main building will contain offices…
Residents in Montijo, Panama, have forced the closure of a municipal landfill after a fire released toxic smoke into nearby neighborhoods. The blaze, which started this week, marks the first major landfill fire of 2026 in the Veraguas province. Local authorities are now scrambling for both immediate and long-term solutions. The fire at the Montijo dump created a thick plume of hazardous fumes. Community members reported eye irritation and breathing difficulties. They blocked the entrance to the site, demanding action from municipal leaders. This protest effectively shut down garbage disposal operations for the entire area. Firefighters Face Logistical Nightmare at…
The National Institute of Aqueducts and Sewage Systems, known as Idaan, reported a gradual recovery of drinking water distribution in Panama Oeste Province. The disruption followed an external incident at the Laguna Alta water treatment plant operated by concessionaire Aguas de Panama. Officials confirmed the issue on Sunday. The production problem caused a significant loss of pressure in main pipelines. This has prevented full service restoration across several sectors in the Arraiján district. Affected communities include Arraiján cabecera, Juan Demóstenes Arosemena, Burunga, Chapala, Vacamonte, Nuevo Emperador, Cerro Silvestre, Santa Clara, Cáceres, Nuevo Chorrillo, Bique, Los Cerros, Emaús Hills and surrounding…
Panama City, Panama – The Caja de Seguro Social has confirmed that eligible contributors have until August 18 to choose a new pension system. The deadline applies to workers who can voluntarily switch to the Single Capitalization System with Solidarity Guarantee. Officials say this change could significantly improve retirement benefits for thousands of Panamanian workers. Thousands Eligible but Few Have Made the Switch Finance Director César Herrera revealed that 62,314 people currently in the mixed regime qualify for the transfer. These workers have less than seven years of contributions. But participation remains low. Only 1,530 contributors have actually made the…
BOCAS DEL TORO, Panama – Park rangers released 144 baby sea turtles on San San beach. The release happened inside the San San Pond Sak Wetland National Park. This event is part of ongoing conservation efforts for endangered marine species in the province of Bocas del Toro. The operation involved multiple organizations working together. Rangers from the National System of Protected Areas (Sinap) Panama led the effort. They were joined by units from the Environmental Police and monitors from the Association of Friends and Neighbors of the Coast and Nature, known locally as Ammvecona. The Ministry of Environment confirmed the…