Author: Sebastian Pieper

The Mi Pueblito tourist complex will host the Afro Panama Food festival for a second consecutive year. This event forms part of the broader Black Ethnicity Month (Panama) celebrations. Organizers announced the festival will take place on May 16 and 17. Nearly 80 entrepreneurs from across Panama will participate in the two-day event. These vendors will offer traditional dishes passed down through generations. The festival aims to highlight the rich cultural and gastronomic heritage of the Afro-Panamanian community. Franklyn Robinson serves as the event organizer. He emphasized the diversity of culinary offerings that attendees can expect. “We have entrepreneurs from…

The United States handed over two high-speed maritime interceptor vessels to Panama’s National Aeronaval Service on Wednesday. The delivery ceremony took place at the Aeronaval Base Almirante Cristóbal Colón in Colón, Panama. U.S. Ambassador Kevin Marino Cabrera presided over the event on April 30, 2026. Each vessel measures 41 feet in length. The two boats carry a combined value of $2,085,000. They represent the first installment of six vessels the U.S. Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs will provide to Panama over the next three years. The boats will patrol coastal waters in both the Caribbean and the…

Panama faces a growing crisis of labor impoverishment. New research shows wages simply cannot keep pace with rising expenses. The Institute for National Studies (IDEN) at the University of Panama released the findings just before May Day. The study reveals a stark socioeconomic phenomenon called “employment impoverishment.” Even people with jobs find their paychecks falling further behind the real Cost of living. Researchers analyzed data from Panama City, Colon, and other urban areas across the country. Wage Growth Falls Dramatically Short Between 2019 and 2025, the Median wage grew by only 4.7 percent. The cost of living jumped by 16…

The Museum of Contemporary Art Panama (MAC Panama) will host the fourth edition of its MAC Popular event on May 16. The celebration runs from 6:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. This year’s theme is “Indomitable Caribbean.” MAC Popular transforms the museum into a vibrant meeting space. Contemporary art dialogues with everyday life there. The event brings together diverse audiences around creation, freedom and cultural exchange. Organizers describe it as a dynamic cultural platform that keeps growing. Event Inspired by Upcoming 2026 Exhibition The concept draws inspiration from a major exhibition slated for 2026 at MAC Panama. That show is called…

Panama City, Panama – A nationwide literacy campaign aimed at creating a new constitution for the country is making steady progress. Dr. Miguel Antonio Bernal, the executive coordinator of the Presidential Secretariat for State Reorganization and Constitutional Affairs, delivered this update to the Cabinet Council on Tuesday.The initiative seeks to establish a new Magna Carta by 2029. Dr. Bernal spoke to reporters after a Cabinet meeting led by President José Raúl Mulino. He stressed that the secretariat has conducted literacy workshops across the nation. These sessions have reached state entities, autonomous institutions, and semi-autonomous bodies.Literacy Campaign Reaches Citizens Across PanamaSeminars,…

China has rejected a joint statement from six nations supporting Panama’s sovereignty. The declaration, signed by the United States, Bolivia, Costa Rica, Guyana, Paraguay, and Trinidad and Tobago, raised concerns over what they call selective economic pressure from Beijing. Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lin Jian responded on Wednesday, April 29, calling the accusations completely baseless. The joint statement, published on April 28 by the Office of the Spokesperson, warned about recent actions affecting vessels flying the Panamanian flag. It specifically pointed to measures taken after a ruling by the Supreme Court of Panama regarding the Balboa and Cristóbal port terminals.…

Panama’s top diplomat held a direct conversation with Israel’s foreign minister amid rising regional tensions. Foreign Minister Javier Eduardo Martinez-Acha Vasquez spoke by phone with Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar on April 28, 2026. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Panama confirmed the discussion took place against a backdrop of escalating instability in the Middle East.Panama expressed solidarity with the Israeli people during the call. The Panamanian government also voiced serious concerns about regional security. Officials reiterated Panama’s commitment to peace and international law. The country continues to support peaceful solutions within the United Nations framework. [Translated from Spanish]Foreign Minister…

Panama City has a new financial tool for public works. The Caja de Ahorros (Panama) announced 600 million dollars in additional funding on Tuesday. The money supports a structured financial mechanism for infrastructure execution. General Manager Andrés Farrugia presented the plan to the Cabinet Council of Panama. He explained the instrument aims to speed up project payments. It also seeks to boost the national economy through faster construction. The bank’s strategy tackles a major problem. Contractors often wait months for state payments. This delay causes project slowdowns and higher costs. The new mechanism guarantees liquidity for public works suppliers. Farrugia…

Panama City, Panama – President José Raúl Mulino held a crucial meeting Tuesday with lawmakers from the Realizando Metas / Realizing Goals (political party). The gathering at the presidential palace focused on pressing national issues and legislative priorities. The closed-door session brought together the President of Panama and the party’s congressional bloc. Official sources confirmed the discussions centered on social programs and economic challenges facing the nation. Social Programs and Infrastructure Take Center Stage Government officials confirmed the meeting reviewed several projects aimed at addressing social problems across Panama. The agenda included clean drinking water service improvements, road enhancement initiatives,…

Panama City, Panama – Copa Airlines has signed a landmark agreement with Boeing and GE Aerospace. The deal secures the purchase of up to 60 new Boeing 737 MAX aircraft. Company executives announced the news on April 28, 2026. The total investment is valued at approximately $13.5 billion at list prices. Pedro Heilbron, the CEO of Copa Airlines, confirmed the order adds to 40 aircraft already pending delivery. This means the airline will integrate more than 100 new planes over the next eight years. If regional demand remains strong, Copa Airlines expects its fleet to exceed 200 aircraft by 2034.…