Author: Sebastian Pieper

Panama’s Foreign Minister Javier Martínez-Acha Vásquez held a high-level meeting at the United States Department of State on Tuesday. The discussions took place in Washington, D.C., and focused on political cooperation, regional security, and economic ties between the two nations. The Panamanian diplomat met with Michael A. Needham, counselor and director of Policy Planning at the United States Department of State. Caleb Orr also attended the session. According to official statements, both sides reviewed bilateral agenda items including security cooperation and strategies to combat transnational threats affecting the hemisphere. Bilateral Agenda Tackles Security and Migration Challenges Regional context framed the…

Panama has emerged as a key location in the corruption investigation against former Spanish President José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero. Spanish authorities are examining a 53 million euro ($62 million) bailout of Plus Ultra Líneas Aéreas that was approved during the COVID-19 pandemic. Investigators suspect Rodríguez Zapatero may have received 1 percent of that rescue package. The funds were authorized by the government of current Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez to prevent the airline from collapsing. The former prime minister now faces formal corruption charges in Spanish courts. Panamanian Brokerage Played Critical Role in Airline Rescue Before Plus Ultra accessed those…

More than 30 restaurants across Panama City and interior regions are participating in Wings Week 2026. The eighth edition of this gastronomic festival runs through June 5. It celebrates chicken wings with original recipes from local chefs. [Translated from Spanish] The festival launched on May 15. Diners can enjoy Wings Specials for a fixed price of $12, excluding taxes and tips. Each special includes eight wings with a chef’s original recipe, one side dish, and a Coca-Cola Zero Sugar or Original. Some restaurants also offer boneless options. [Translated from Spanish] Visa Panama sponsors the event. Payments must be made with…

Panama’s health authorities have confirmed 2,345 cases of Dengue fever through the first 17 weeks of 2026. The Ministry of Health Panama released the data on Tuesday. The report covers the epidemiological week ending May 2, 2026. The majority of patients show no warning signs. Officials recorded 2,055 cases in that category. Another 276 patients have warning signs and 14 cases are classified as severe dengue. The Metropolitan Region holds the highest count with 608 infections. Case Distribution Across Panama’s Regions The epidemiological breakdown shows significant variation between provinces. Colon follows the Metropolitan Region with 397 cases. Bocas del Toro…

Panama has deported and expelled 45 Colombian citizens from the country. The group departed from Marcos A. Gelabert Airport on flights bound for Colombia. Officials confirmed the operation this week as part of ongoing immigration control measures. The Panama-United States Memorandum of Understanding on Migration provides the legal framework for these actions. Of the 45 individuals returned, 36 were deported for violating immigration laws. Their infractions include evading checkpoints, overstaying visas, and other administrative violations under national legislation. Nine Colombian citizens were expelled from Panamanian territory. These individuals had criminal records linked to crimes against collective security. Their offenses include…

The Ombudsman’s Office of Panama has launched multiple investigations into patient care at two major hospitals. Officials confirmed the probes this week following a surge in complaints from insured patients. The investigations focus on the Arnulfo Arias Madrid Hospital Complex and the Irma de Lourdes Tzanetatos Hospital. Inspectors conducted walkthroughs at both facilities to verify service conditions. The complaints allege violations of the right to health for patients covered by the Panama Social Security Fund. Specific grievances include poor medical attention, medication shortages, and a lack of reagents and supplies. Emergency room conditions have drawn particular scrutiny. Patient Accounts Reveal…

Digital payment adoption is accelerating across Panama, yet cash remains a stubborn fixture in daily transactions. New data from financial sector representatives reveals that 81 percent of Panamanian consumers now use digital payments. The findings were presented this week by Mastercard executives in Panama City. Soledad Rovira, the country manager for Mastercard in Panama, presented the key findings during a financial technology briefing. Consumers are ready for digital tools, she said, but merchants still create barriers. The gap between consumer willingness and merchant acceptance creates friction in the marketplace. “81 percent of consumers in Panama use digital payments and 90…

Panama’s Ministry of Culture has launched a technical evaluation of the presidential sash worn by former President Belisario Porras. The National Center for Restoration of Monuments and Artistic Works is leading the assessment. This piece is currently held by the Electoral Tribunal of Panama. The evaluation represents a critical step in preserving a symbol of Panama’s republican history. Experts are conducting detailed documentation of the sash’s condition. The work includes photographic records, material analysis, and precise measurements of the artifact. Scientific Analysis Guides Preservation Efforts The Ministry of Culture Panama confirmed that scientific assessments generate specialized information for future restoration…

A fire broke out in an apartment on the 20th floor of PH Tower One on Uruguay Avenue early Monday morning. The emergency alarms sounded around 6:30 a.m., jolting residents from their sleep. People scrambled down the emergency stairwells as smoke began filling parts of the building. Some residents grabbed pre-packed evacuation bags and ran outside. Workers from a nearby construction site shouted warnings to those still inside. Confusion and fear dominated the first moments of the crisis, residents told reporters at the scene. A young woman living on the same floor as the fire said the alarm didn’t wake…

Panama pushed for expanded representation and equitable financing at the World Health Organization this month. The nation’s delegation attended the 44th meeting of the World Health Organization Program, Budget and Administration Committee in Geneva, Switzerland. The meeting ran from May 13 to May 15. Representatives gathered to debate budget performance, governance reforms, audits and financial sustainability. Panama specifically called for greater participation from countries in the Region of the Americas. The delegation argued that funding distribution for global health remains unbalanced. “We need a system where resources translate into real outcomes for the most vulnerable populations,” said a Panamanian health…