Author: Editorial Team

Canadian mining company First Quantum Minerals says it would need between $300 million and $500 million to process the massive stockpile of mineral reserves sitting at its idled Cobre Panama mine. The company’s executives outlined the cost estimate during a recent quarterly earnings call, framing the potential limited operation as an environmental and asset preservation measure, not a full mine restart. The proposal remains entirely contingent on receiving formal authorization from the Panamanian government, which has not yet been granted.This financial projection covers what the company calls a “limited activation” of the processing plant to treat approximately 38 million tons…

Panama’s National Border Service has deployed over 60 agents to its border with Costa Rica. The major security operation, called “Falange 6,” is a direct response to a spike in criminal activity reported by residents in the Bocas del Toro Province. Authorities launched the initiative after receiving numerous complaints from communities like Las Tablas and Las Delicias. Residents there have expressed growing fear over increasing crime rates in recent weeks. The operation will focus on both residential and commercial sectors throughout the area. Focus on Community Security and Checkpoint Vigilance The senior National Border Service (Panama) officer in Guabito outlined…

Panama’s ambassador to the United Nations, Eloy Alfaro, called for urgent diplomacy during an emergency Security Council session this Saturday. The meeting addressed escalating Middle East tensions following coordinated Israeli and U.S. strikes on Iranian territory and Tehran’s subsequent response. The session unfolded under intense diplomatic pressure, complicated by the United States holding a permanent, veto-wielding seat on the council. Ambassador Alfaro warned the current cycle of violence risks a dangerous and unpredictable regional expansion. “We must ask ourselves if the repetition of these actions can really lead to different results and a sustainable solution,” stated Ambassador Eloy Alfaro. [Translated…

Hundreds of residents in the Chitré District took to the streets on Friday, February 27, demanding immediate government action to resolve a severe and prolonged drinking water crisis. Protesters directed their frustration at Panama’s national government and the National Institute of Aqueducts and Sewers (IDAAN), the state utility they accuse of failing to provide a reliable supply for nearly nine months. Organizers said the demonstration aimed to secure concrete solutions, not just temporary fixes. While IDAAN has publicly stated that water service in the district has recently improved, community leaders and families directly contradict that assessment. They describe a daily…

The Social Security Fund of Panama (CSS) has announced a significant reorganization of its senior leadership team. The changes are part of a broader institutional strengthening effort aimed at optimizing administrative management within the critical public health entity.Officials confirmed the appointments this week in an official statement from the fund’s headquarters in Panama City. The restructuring focuses on two key positions overseeing special projects and national procurement operations.New Advisors and Directors Take Key RolesRegina Donelson has been designated as the new advisor to the General Directorate. She will be responsible for driving and monitoring special projects for the senior office.…

Schools across Panama’s Herrera Province are fully prepared to welcome students for the start of the 2026 academic year this coming Monday, March 2. Regional Education Director Deysi Atencio confirmed that 171 educational centers and more than 1,800 teachers stand ready to receive nearly 21,000 students. Extensive preparations and coordination with various government institutions over recent months have ensured all facilities meet operational standards. Officials conducted final verification tours of multiple schools this past Saturday, February 28, to confirm optimal conditions for the return of students and staff. “A series of adjustments have been made in recent months in partnership…

Panamanian transit authorities will activate a special lane reversal plan this Monday, March 2, to manage the expected surge in traffic for the new school year. The Land Transit and Transportation Authority (Panama) designed the operation to ease congestion on key routes connecting Panama City with its western suburbs.Officials anticipate a significant increase in vehicle flow as students and staff return to classrooms. The plan focuses on reversing traffic lanes during peak morning and evening commutes to maximize road capacity.Targeted Operations in Panama West ProvinceLieutenant José Sánchez outlined the specific measures for the Panama West Province corridor. Morning operations directing…

A Panamanian court has closed the evidentiary phase of the massive Odebrecht corruption trial. Judge Baloisa Marquinez of the First Liquidator of Criminal Cases Court announced the move on Friday, February 27, starting the clock on a final verdict for 21 defendants, including former President Ricardo Martinelli.The judge stated she will use the full period allowed by law, slightly more than 30 days, to issue a ruling due to the case’s immense volume. Her decision will conclude one of the most significant judicial proceedings in Panama’s recent history, stemming from a regional bribery scandal.”The tribunal is taking the term provided…

Colon’s iconic Christ Church by the Sea (Iglesia Episcopal de Cristo a Orillas del Mar), known locally as the Stone Church, approaches its 161st anniversary as a catalyst for urban heritage restoration. The historic Episcopal church, the city’s oldest building, stands as a physical anchor for broader efforts to reclaim the architectural legacy of this pivotal Panamanian port city. Officials from the Panama Ministry of Culture confirm the structure is central to a coordinated strategy for cultural revitalization. Constructed less than a decade after Colon’s founding, the church is a rare example of stone construction in the city. Its distinctive…

Panama Ports Company (PPC) has accused Panamanian authorities of conducting a surprise raid on its private storage facilities in Albrook. The company, a subsidiary of Hong Kong’s CK Hutchison Holdings, claims the February 26 operation targeted legally privileged documents related to ongoing court cases. This escalation follows the government’s takeover of the key Balboa and Cristobal ports just days earlier. In a strongly worded statement released Friday, PPC labeled the state’s actions a breach of legal protocol. The company insists authorities entered a private storage center without prior notification. This facility, according to PPC, held proprietary information and material protected…