Author: Editorial Team
Sinolam International Pte Ltd, a Singapore-based company, has initiated international arbitration proceedings against the Republic of Panama. The company is seeking over 140 million US dollars in compensation following Panama’s cancellation of a major natural gas power generation license in April 2024. The dispute centers on the terminated Gas to Power Panama (GTPP) project and has been filed with the World Bank’s International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes in Washington, D.C.The case represents a significant international investment dispute for Panama. It directly invokes protections under a bilateral trade pact. Sinolam claims the government’s abrupt termination of its license violated…
A new Panamanian law is providing direct financial support to families seeking to purchase their first home. The preferential interest rate legislation, active since January 2026, subsidizes monthly mortgage payments for qualified buyers. This policy aims to stimulate the affordable housing market and reduce ownership barriers for properties priced up to $120,000.Government officials designed the program with a tiered regional structure to account for varying economic conditions across the country. Subsidy levels and their duration depend entirely on the property’s location and purchase price. The law also establishes a formal process for developers to market housing units that qualify for…
Panama Metro General Manager Carlos Sánchez Fábrega announced on Friday that public transit fares will remain unchanged. This decision comes despite a recent and sharp increase in national fuel prices, providing immediate relief to thousands of daily commuters in the capital region.The announcement directly counters widespread public concern over potential fare hikes. Officials confirmed that both the Panama Metro train system and the complementary MiBus network will absorb the increased operational costs. Maintaining current prices is a strategic move to shield the population from additional economic pressure during a period of inflation.Carlos Sánchez Fábrega made the official statement during a…
Residents of the Los Angeles community in Altos de Pacora have taken road construction into their own hands. Fed up with a four-decade wait for official action, they are using shovels, wheelbarrows, and collective effort to improve their only access route. This grassroots initiative highlights persistent infrastructure gaps in areas near Panama’s capital.The community, home to at least 300 people, lies within the Pacora, Panama district. Despite its relative proximity to urban centers, the unpaved road becomes nearly impassable during the rainy season. Vehicles frequently get stuck, isolating residents and hindering the transport of agricultural goods many families depend on…
Patients with chronic illnesses in Panama say they cannot legally obtain medical cannabis treatments nearly three years after the country passed a landmark law. Individuals with conditions like epilepsy and multiple sclerosis report facing a maze of bureaucratic obstacles that force many to seek medicine through informal channels.The law regulating the medicinal use of cannabis and its derivatives took effect in October 2021. It established a legal framework for patient registration, medical prescriptions, and the controlled sale of products. Recent implementing regulations, however, have drawn sharp criticism from patient advocacy groups for being overly restrictive and difficult to navigate.”It is…
Panamanian drivers and transport workers are facing a sharp increase in fuel costs as new national prices take effect. The government-regulated price hike, which will remain until April 3, has prompted long lines at gas stations as consumers attempt to fill their tanks before the increase. This adjustment marks one of the most significant surges in gasoline and diesel costs since 2022, placing immediate financial strain on households and businesses.The updated prices reflect across-the-board increases for all fuel types. Premium 95-octane gasoline rose by 0.75 cents, reaching $4.33 per gallon. Regular 91-octane gasoline increased by 0.68 cents to $4.03 per…
Health officials in Panama are raising alarms over a sustained increase in new HIV diagnoses, coupled with a concerning shift toward younger individuals. Orlando Quintero, director of the Fundación Probidsida, confirmed the trend this week, noting the average age of new cases is dropping significantly.Data shows approximately 1,800 new cases of HIV and AIDS were reported recently. The demographic profile has changed from previous years, when most new diagnoses were in people over 30. Public health campaigns now face the urgent task of reaching a younger, more vulnerable generation.Youth Become the New Focus for PreventionThe most significant number of new…
Panama and Costa Rica signed a landmark cooperation agreement on Wednesday, March 18, 2026, to advance a shared vision for a Central American rail network. The Memorandum of Understanding was formalized between Panama’s National Railway Secretariat (SNDF) and the Costa Rican Railway Institute (INCOFER). This pact aims to transform a planned national railway into a multinational logistics corridor. The signing ceremony, presided over by Panamanian Foreign Minister Javier Martínez Acha, establishes a formal framework for technical collaboration. Officials from both nations will now share specialized knowledge, align operational standards, and coordinate engineering studies. The ultimate goal is a seamless regional…
Panama’s Ministry of Health is rolling out a new national drug procurement system designed to slash purchase times and improve supply at public hospitals. Officials announced the strategy this week, aiming to resolve chronic medication shortages that have plagued the health system for years. The plan hinges on a joint bulk-purchasing agreement with the nation’s social security agency.The overhaul targets a core problem: bureaucratic delays. Under old rules, buying medicines could take between six and nine months. The new framework aims to compress that timeline to just two or three months. Nearly 400 medications are included in the first phase,…
The University of Panama has officially authorized the issuance of all academic diplomas and certificates in electronic format. The university’s Academic Council approved the landmark measure on March 4, 2026, through Resolution No. 7-26-SGP, marking a decisive step in the institution’s digital transformation. This move modernizes administrative processes and aligns the national university with global trends in higher education. University officials stated the policy grants digital diplomas full legal validity, making them equivalent to traditional paper documents. The initiative aims to enhance document security, enable online verification, and protect against forgeries. It also promises to significantly speed up the issuance,…