Author: spieper

Panama’s National Energy Secretariat (SNE) announced new fuel prices effective nationwide this Friday, November 28. The adjustments will see costs for 95-octane gasoline and low-sulfur diesel rise by as much as eight cents per liter over the next two weeks.The updated Maximum Consumer Sale Price at liquid fuel service stations in Panama City and Colon sets 95-octane gasoline at $0.888 per liter. That price reflects an eight-cent increase. In contrast, 91-octane gasoline will see a slight decrease of eight cents, selling for $0.843 per liter. The price of diesel will rise by seven cents, reaching a maximum of $0.866 per…

The International Banking Center in Panama reported a 5.5 percent annual increase in its net loan portfolio through October 2025. Official data released this week shows the sector’s total credit reached $100.1 billion, driven primarily by strong foreign lending activity.According to the latest Banking Activity Report from Panama’s banking regulator, the growth underscores the sector’s ongoing expansion. The foreign loan portfolio jumped 12.38 percent to $36.83 billion. Domestic lending saw a more modest rise of 1.63 percent, reaching $63.26 billion.”The credit portfolio consolidates as the main engine of asset expansion,” the report from the Superintendency of Banks of Panama stated.…

The Panama Maritime Chamber has publicly endorsed the proposed Puerto Barú port project during a session of the Chiriquí Provincial Council. The business guild framed the initiative as a strategic national work essential for improving connectivity and generating jobs in western Panama. This declaration adds significant institutional weight to the project, which aims to transform the area around David into a major Pacific logistics hub.René Gómez, president of the maritime chamber, argued that Puerto Barú aligns with a broader national vision for infrastructure modernization. He cited other major investments like a gas pipeline, the Río Indio water project, and port…

Air connectivity between Panama and Venezuela continued without interruption this weekend despite escalating regional tensions and warnings from United States officials. Copa Airlines maintained its regular flight schedule between Panama City and Caracas throughout Sunday, operating all programmed routes on time. This operational normalcy persists even as other international carriers suspend Venezuelan routes following security advisories.Flight tracking data confirmed two Sunday departures from Panama City’s Tocumen International Airport bound for Simon Bolivar International Airport in Maiquetía, Venezuela. The return flights to Panama also operated according to their published schedules. This consistent service contrasts sharply with Saturday’s operations, which experienced significant…

Roberto Brenes, a prominent 80-year-old Panamanian businessman and former president of the Panama Stock Exchange, has successfully summited Mount Kilimanjaro. Brenes reached the peak of Africa’s highest mountain in late 2024, planting the Panamanian flag at 5,895 meters after a grueling six-day ascent via the Machame route. This extraordinary feat caps a lifetime of athletic pursuits for the Geisha coffee producer and current board chairman of Singular. The expedition required meticulous physical and mental preparation, which Brenes described as a return to his adventurous roots in Chiriquí province. His journey to the roof of Africa was supported by a team…

A delegation of Panama’s legislators has returned from a four day working visit to Taiwan, describing the trip as highly productive despite facing public criticism from their own president. The eight lawmakers focused on strengthening cooperation in legislative, technological, educational, and commercial matters during their mission. They presented their findings through a detailed report circulated via social media by independent deputy Yamireliz Chong, who participated in the controversial journey.The delegation’s activities included high level meetings with Taiwanese parliamentary leaders and visits to advanced technology centers. Their stated objective involved evaluating opportunities for Panamanian talent in strategic sectors like semiconductor development,…

Panamanian Foreign Minister Javier Martinez Acha issued a formal response to El Salvador President Nayib Bukele on Friday regarding a misinterpreted viral video from a Panamanian school. The diplomatic clarification came after Bukele commented publicly on social media about an incident he mistakenly believed involved students assaulting a teacher. Martinez Acha firmly stated that no educator was involved in what he described as a regrettable but isolated event between students. The controversy began when a video circulated widely on digital platforms showing a physical confrontation among youths at the Altos de San Francisco school in the La Chorrera District. International…

The Republic of Panama has officially confirmed its schedule of eleven national holidays for the 2026 calendar year. The list, published by authorities, includes patriotic commemorations, religious observances, and the festive Carnival break. Workers across the nation can plan for these mandatory days off, which feature one designated bridge holiday extending a weekend. This annual schedule is governed by the nation’s labor laws, which provide clear rules for holiday pay and weekend adjustments. When a national holiday falls on a Sunday, the day of rest automatically transfers to the following Monday. This provision ensures a long weekend for employees and…

Agricultural producers in the Bocas del Toro Province are confronting a severe security crisis. Banana and plantain farmers in the Las Delicias sector report a dramatic surge in armed robberies and violent threats on their properties. This escalating situation has forced local growers to appeal directly to municipal authorities for increased police protection, fearing the conflict could spiral further out of control.The farmers, based in the Changuinola District, describe an environment where thefts have become a constant and debilitating threat. They recently presented their formal complaints to the Changuinola Municipal Council, detailing not just the economic losses but also direct…

Panamanian officials have confirmed that more than 40 individuals previously reported missing have been located deceased. The country’s specialized missing persons unit released the sobering statistics this week, revealing the outcomes of hundreds of disappearance reports filed this year.Prosecutor Gustavo Barragan, who leads the unit within the Ministry of Public, detailed the findings. His report showed that 48 people reported as missing were ultimately found dead. Of these fatalities, 16 deaths were directly linked to homicides, classified as crimes against life.”The specialized missing persons unit has handled 1,521 formal complaints so far,” Barragan stated. [Translated from Spanish] “We have successfully…