Author: spieper

PORTOBELO, Panama – Hundreds of faithful pilgrims from across Panama are walking the historic route to the San Felipe Church in Portobelo this week to honor the revered Black Christ statue in one of the country’s most profound religious traditions. The annual pilgrimage, culminating on October 21, sees devotees traveling kilometers on foot to fulfill promises, request favors, or give thanks for miracles attributed to the Nazarene. The journey from Sabanitas to Portobelo in Colón Province has transformed into a continuous stream of worshippers, many participating in family groups while others walk alongside friends or organized religious associations. National Police…

PANAMA CITY, Panama – The Ministry of Public Works (MOP) announced it will conduct essential repair work on the deck of the Bridge of the Americas, with nighttime operations scheduled from October 20 to October 31, 2025. The project, part of the ongoing “Maintenance and Evaluation of the Bridge of the Americas” initiative, aims to ensure the safety and structural integrity of this critical national infrastructure. Work will occur nightly from 9:00 p.m. to 3:30 a.m. to minimize disruption to the high volume of daily traffic.Official Announcement and Project DetailsThe Ministry of Public Works issued a formal statement confirming the…

**Panama Implements New Medical Certificate Verification to Combat Fraud**PANAMA CITY, Panama – The Panamanian Ministry of Health (Minsa) has enacted a new executive decree establishing a strict verification procedure for medical sick leave certificates, effective August 11, 2025. The regulation, Decreto Ejecutivo N.° 17 de 2025, aims to combat the proliferation of fraudulent medical certificates that have caused significant administrative and labor issues nationwide. This policy shift mandates that certificates must accurately reflect patient care and be issued only after an in-person evaluation by the treating physician.The government’s decisive action targets a long-standing problem of false or unjustified sick leave.…

PANAMA CITY, Panama – The national final of TalenPro 2025, a major educational and artistic movement, will be broadcast live this Sunday, October 19, from the Arena Roberto Durán. Created by songwriter Erika Ender through her Open Doors Foundation and produced by TVN, the event aims to promote young Panamanian talent and social commitment through art, with this year’s proceeds supporting school cafeterias in need.The live broadcast will air immediately after the Weekend News at 7:00 p.m. on TVN. Over 2,000 students participated in regional stages, with finalists from the East, Central, and West zones now competing for national titles…

**Panama Supreme Court Dismisses Challenge to Río Indio Reservoir Project**PANAMA CITY, Panama – The Supreme Court of Justice has unanimously rejected a constitutional challenge aimed at halting the Panama Canal Authority’s (ACP) flagship Río Indio multipurpose reservoir project. The lawsuit, filed by a farmers’ collective, contested the project’s budgetary priority status, a critical step for its advancement.The court’s decision, issued this week, prevents a legal delay for a key infrastructure initiative designed to secure water for the Panama Canal’s operations and surrounding communities. The ruling allows the ACP to continue its planning and investment processes for the reservoir, a central…

PANAMA CITY, PANAMA – The Panama Maritime Authority (AMP) confirmed on Saturday, October 18, 2025, that it is investigating the separate deaths of two crew members. One fatality occurred on a Panamanian-flagged coastal vessel and the other on a UK-registered international merchant ship. The incidents, both attended to by authorities on Friday, October 17, are under formal investigation by the AMP’s Department of Maritime Accident Investigation and the Panamanian Public Ministry.The AMP issued an official statement expressing its profound regret over the deaths and extending sincere condolences to the families and colleagues of the deceased seafarers. The authority reiterated its…

PANAMA CITY, Panama – Panama is confronting a systemic failure in its protection mechanisms for women after a series of femicides involving victims who had active restraining orders against their aggressors. The recent brutal murder of a young woman in Pocrí de Aguadulce, which followed a pattern of other recorded killings, has triggered national alarm and urgent calls from officials and advocates for a complete overhaul of the country’s response to gender-based violence.The case in Pocrí de Aguadulce is the latest in a string of shocking crimes that have laid bare the fatal gaps in Panama’s legal and institutional frameworks…

**Panama President Mulino Denounces US Diplomat Over Visa Threat Allegations**PANAMA CITY, Panama – President José Raúl Mulino publicly confirmed and condemned alleged threats made by a United States embassy official against Panamanian business figures on Thursday, October 17, 2025. The accusations, which involve warnings to revoke U.S. visas over commercial dealings with Chinese companies, have prompted a cautious but firm response from the Panamanian government, signaling a potential strain in bilateral relations.Foreign Minister Javier Martínez Acha responded to the President’s statements later the same day, affirming the government’s position. He emphasized that while Panama would act with discretion, it was…

PANAMA CITY, PANAMA – The Ministry of Health (Minsa) has officially published the regulatory requirements for the import and distribution of medicinal cannabis products in Panama. The new rules, detailed in Resolution No. 213, were released in the Official Gazette on Friday, October 17, 2025, establishing a clear pathway for companies to bring these products to patients.The resolution outlines the specific documentation needed to obtain an exception to the standard sanitary registry for finished products containing tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD). This regulatory action follows the recent update to the “Official List of Controlled Substances,” which authorized cannabis for medical…

In a significant move to bolster specialized higher education in Panama, the Universidad Especializada de las Américas (UDELAS) has announced a major expansion of its graduate program offerings and the implementation of a cutting-edge digital platform for faculty registration. Spearheaded by Rector Nicolasa Terreros Barrios, these strategic initiatives are central to the university’s 2025 Annual Operational Plan. This expansion is designed to meet the growing demand for highly specialized professionals by introducing new, relevant master’s and postgraduate degrees. The newly launched UDELAS graduate programs are meticulously aligned with both contemporary professional environment needs and the broader objectives of Panama’s National…