Author: spieper
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,…
Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino confirmed he will travel to Canada to support the national soccer team in its first-ever 2026 FIFA World Cup match. The announcement came as the nation prepares for its historic debut on the world’s biggest sporting stage next year.Panama will face Ghana in Toronto on June 17, 2026, marking the country’s inaugural game in the expanded 48-team tournament. Mulino plans to attend the match despite a demanding international schedule that includes an official visit on another continent just prior.Presidential Support for Historic DebutIn a statement from Panama City, President Mulino emphasized his commitment to being…
Copa Airlines has unveiled the official music video for “Sube la Marea Remix,” a song created to rally support for the Panama national football team ahead of its second FIFA World Cup appearance. The project brings together a historic lineup of Panamanian artists in a visual celebration of the country’s culture and landscapes. Produced by the Panamanian duo Los Gaitanes, the remix features an unprecedented collaboration. Musical legends like Rubén Blades and Omar Alfanno join contemporary hitmakers Sech and Boza, alongside genre pioneers Nando Boom and Kafu Banton. This fusion aims to represent Panama’s diverse sound, from salsa and reggae…