Author: Sebastian Pieper

Panama has officially closed the door on shell companies and paper businesses. The country approved Law 526, a major reform to the Tax Code that introduces strict economic substance requirements for multinational groups. The legislation was published in Official Gazette No. 30534-B and will take effect for the fiscal period starting in 2027. The new law forces multinational corporations to demonstrate real business activity within Panama. If they can’t prove genuine operations, they will face a 15 percent tax on net income. This represents a fundamental shift in how the country approaches corporate taxation and international financial regulation. Deputy Eduardo…

Panama’s government has completed major infrastructure upgrades at San Lorenzo National Park in Colon province. Environment Minister Juan Carlos Navarro toured the site on June 3, 2026 to officially receive the improvements. The project aims to boost ecological tourism and enhance visitor experiences across protected areas. The renovations stem from President Jose Raul Mulino’s Strategic Government Plan 2024-2029. That plan focuses on conservation, sustainable tourism and operational management. The Inter-American Development Bank financed the work through a broader conservation initiative. Total investment across multiple national parks reaches 2.5 million balboas. New Infrastructure and Renovated Trails The Consorcio GCP-3tech handled construction…

The number of couples getting married in Panama has dropped dramatically over the last ten years. New data from the National Institute of Statistics and Census Panama shows that civil unions fell from 14,341 in 2015 to just 9,596 in 2025. This represents a staggering 33 percent decline in only one decade. Experts point to a combination of economic hardship and shifting social values. The fallen from 14341 marriages in 2015 to under 10,000 today suggests a fundamental change in how Panamanians view the institution. High living costs and job insecurity are now major factors in the decision to marry.…

Panama City, Panama. The Panamanian Social Security Fund (CSS) has activated a dedicated telephone line and an online platform for medical appointments. Insured patients can now schedule consultations through the 199 hotline or the Mi Caja Digital portal. The agency announced these options this week as part of ongoing service improvements. The 199 telephone line operates Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Callers can request appointments at any CSS health facility nationwide. Officials confirmed the service covers all medical consultations available across the institution’s network. The system aims to reduce wait times and eliminate the need for…

Panama City residents can now donate clothing and books through new collection boxes installed across the capital. The Panama City mayor Mayer Mizrachi announced the initiative on Tuesday. The program aims to strengthen community support networks and promote reading culture. The municipality placed the donation boxes at 10 strategic locations throughout the city. These include sports complexes, parks, and municipal markets. Donors must place clothing in labeled bags sorted by type and age group. Books can be new or used but must be in good condition. The city requests items for men, women, and children. Program details and donation requirements…

Scientists have officially described a new wasp species collected at Panama’s Summit Botanical Garden more than three decades ago. The specimen, named Lissocampsomeris bribri, was finally added to the University of Panama Entomology Collection in April 2026. This single female specimen represents the only known example of its species in the world. Researcher Luis Damián Ramírez identified the wasp as a female. The male of the species remains completely unknown to science. The insect’s name honors the Bribri indigenous people, who inhabit the border region of Bocas del Toro province. The specimen was originally donated by Yostin Añino Ramos, a…

The Fourth Bridge over the Panama Canal has reached 37 percent completion after one year and ten months of work. The Ministry of Public Works Panama confirmed the milestone on June 3, 2026. This massive infrastructure project aims to connect the western sector with Panama City, an area plagued by chronic traffic congestion for years. Public Works Minister José Luis Andrade led a site inspection and detailed the current work. The project is now in its foundation and structural phase. Crews are constructing piles, relocating utilities, installing gravel columns, and building initial structures on the east side of the project.…

Panama City Mayor Mayer Mizrachi delivered two new Smart Bus Stops near the Panama Technological University on Monday. The move directly responds to frequent robbery complaints from students and public transport users. More than 5,000 people will benefit from the upgraded infrastructure daily. The Stops are part of a campaign promise to transform traditional public spaces into smart zones. They now operate as Safe Smart Points connected 24/7 to the SIVIMUPA video surveillance system. Officials say the integration with the citizen hotline 150 strengthens emergency response capabilities significantly. Technology and Security Features at the New Stops Each structure includes HD/PTZ…

Panama is facing a surge in respiratory illnesses. The Ministry of Health reported 43 influenza deaths so far this year. New data from the epidemiological report for week 19, covering May 10 to 16, shows the virus remains a serious threat. Health officials confirmed one new fatality during that week. They also updated a death from the previous week. More than half of the victims, 55.8 percent, were 65 years or older. None of the deceased had received the current season’s flu vaccine. A staggering 82 percent also skipped the 2025 vaccine. Most had underlying conditions like metabolic, cardiovascular, or…

Panama’s government confirmed a massive prison break at the notorious La Joyita Prison on Monday. Government Minister Dinoska Montalvo revealed that 195 inmates escaped the facility during a violent riot. The announcement came during a press conference held 24 hours after the incident. Three inmates died inside the prison before the mass escape occurred. National Police Director Jaime Fernández confirmed the deaths and said officers have already recaptured 123 fugitives. That leaves 72 inmates still on the loose. Police operations continue across the region. Violence Erupts Inside Prison Walls The riot caused injuries to eight additional inmates and three police…