Author: Sebastian Pieper
The municipality of Colon District has begun an urban improvement project in the city’s historic core. Officials confirmed the initiative this week with an investment exceeding $47,000. The funds come from Panama decentralization funds allocated to the mayor’s office. The project focuses on restoring buildings in the Barrio Norte and Barrio Sur townships. Crews are now working along Avenida Central, also known as Paseo Juan Demóstenes Arosemena. The goal is to transform the image of Colon City’s historic center through cleaning, restoration and painting of structures. First Phase Targets 21 Buildings for Restoration Colon District Mayor Diógenes Galván confirmed that…
The Association of Diplomatic and Consular Career Officials of Panama (Adica) has sent a series of formal complaints to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The letters question administrative decisions and political appointments within the diplomatic service. Dated between May 18 and 19, 2026, the documents were addressed to Chancellor Javier Martínez-Acha and Vice Chancellor Carlos Hoyos. Adica demands explanations about the lack of career official appointments in consulates and embassies. The group also cites failures to comply with established rotation periods for diplomats serving abroad. Delays in payments for promotions, travel allowances, and contingent expenses are another major concern. Career…
The United States Treasury Department added a Panama corporation and two Panama-flagged vessels to its sanctions list on May 19. The Office of Foreign Assets Control, known as OFAC, targeted the entities for their alleged support of Hamas. The action blocks their assets and prohibits Americans from doing business with them. The newly sanctioned Panama company is Aquila Worldwide Marine Developments, Corp. It was incorporated on October 25, 2025. The firm lists its address on the 21st floor of Global Plaza on Calle 50 in Panama City. Two Panamanian nationals registered the company. One lives in Paraiso, San Miguelito. The…
The chaos on Naos Island can no longer hide behind tourist renderings. Luxury promises made for a development at the Panama Canal entrance have given way to an abandoned airplane, court-ordered seizures and multimillion-dollar disputes. Naos is not an airport. It has no runway, hangars or aircraft maintenance facilities. Yet a passenger plane sat parked on the island for nearly six years. The aircraft was supposedly destined for a themed restaurant. That project never materialized. The plane became another symbol of the lawlessness that prevails along the Amador Causeway. Naos is the first island connected to the mainland via the…
The Costa Rican Electricity Institute has firmly denied any energy crisis following Panama’s decision to halt electricity sales. The institute stated the country has sufficient resources to meet its power demands. Officials confirmed this position on Thursday, May 21, directly responding to Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino’s recent announcement. Costa Rica currently does not import electricity from Panama and has no plans to do so for the rest of 2026. The Costa Rican Electricity Institute (ICE) released an official statement clarifying that no firm energy purchase contracts exist between the two neighboring nations. The institute emphasized the country’s electrical system…
Panama City, Panama – High temperatures and the El Niño phenomenon are crippling artisanal fishing along Panama’s coasts. Fishermen now spend more days at sea just to catch enough fish to survive. The crisis is visible at major fishing hubs like Puerto Panama, where boat traffic and fish unloading have dropped sharply. During a recent visit to the port, only one vessel was unloading its catch. Fishermen say this scene was unheard of just months ago. The warming ocean waters are driving fish away from coastal areas, forcing crews to travel farther and burn more fuel. Fishermen Face Longer Journeys…
Panama’s Comptroller General, Anel Flores, has ordered a full audit of the million-dollar water truck contracts managed by the national water utility. The announcement came directly from the province of Veraguas on Wednesday. Flores confirmed the investigation follows a formal request submitted by the utility’s current director. The audit will target the Instituto de Acueductos y Alcantarillados Nacionales, known as Idaan. These contracts have drawn intense scrutiny over their massive costs. Speaking with reporters during a work tour of provincial projects, the comptroller revealed the official request arrived at his office just yesterday. Investigators will begin their work next Monday.…
Panama City, Panama. A total of 134 Venezuelan citizens returned to their country early Friday morning. The group traveled on the first coordinated humanitarian return flight from Panama. The aircraft departed from the hangar at Teniente Octavio Rodríguez Garrido Air Naval Base in Panama Pacifico. Its final destination was Caracas, Venezuela. The group included 58 men, 31 women, and 45 minors. They traveled with their families under conditions of safety, dignity, and humanitarian assistance. The operation aims to facilitate family reunification. It also focuses on helping people in vulnerable situations. Officials confirmed this flight marks the beginning of future voluntary…
Artisans in Panama City’s historic Casco Antiguo district have raised alarms about potential eviction. They fear a $5.9 million renovation project will push them out of their workspaces. The Association of United Artisans of Casco Antiguo, known as AUCA, met with Ministry of Culture officials on May 20 to address the issue. The project involves the comprehensive restoration of France Plaza and surrounding areas. The Ministry of Culture Panama awarded the contract to Administradora de Proyectos de Construccion, S.A., or Aprocosa, last year. Artisans currently operate stalls along Esteban Huertas Promenade and within the plaza itself. Adan Cerrud, president of…
Panama City, Panama – Venezuelan opposition leader and Nobel Peace Prize laureate María Corina Machado arrived at Tocumen International Airport on Thursday evening. She begins a four-day official and community visit to Panama. Machado expressed excitement about reuniting with the large Venezuelan community living in Panama. “I am very happy to be here in Panama, where I know I will meet many Venezuelans,” she told reporters as she stepped off the plane. She was accompanied by a delegation from the Unitary Democratic Platform (PUD). [Translated from Spanish] Her visit carries deep symbolic weight. Machado specifically referenced the Venezuelan electoral records…