Author: Sebastian Pieper

Panama’s pizza scene has earned international recognition. Ciao Ragazzi represented the country at the World Pizza Championship in Parma, Italy, securing a top 10 global finish. The competition drew over 800 pizzamakers from around the world. This event stands as the most important contest in the pizza industry. It brings together elite professionals who compete on quality, technique and innovation. Ciao Ragazzi proudly carried Panama’s name among the protagonists of this high-level competition.  Panama Pizza Team Achieves Global Recognition in Gluten-Free Category The standout result came in the Gluten-free pizza category. Ciao Ragazzi claimed 10th place worldwide, entering the global…

Panama’s National Assembly has taken a significant step toward eliminating the so-called “pink tax” on menstrual products. The Panama National Assembly Committee on Economy and Finance approved Bill 505 in a first debate this week. The legislation seeks to exempt sanitary pads, tampons, and menstrual cups from the country’s 7 percent ITBMS sales tax.Independent Deputy Augusto Palacios, who represents the Vamos party, introduced the initiative. He stated the bill focuses on social justice and gender equity. The discussion quickly turned to a critical question: how will the government replace the revenue lost from this tax exemption?Official figures show roughly 1.2…

Panama’s acting Foreign Minister Carlos Arturo Hoyos met with German State Secretary Géza Andreas von Geyr on Wednesday. The two officials discussed Panama’s efforts to secure removal from European Union tax lists. The meeting took place in Panama City. The bilateral agenda covered trade expansion and global challenges. Both sides expressed strong interest in deepening cooperation. Panama’s government has been pushing for its exclusion from what it calls discriminatory European fiscal listings. The EU maintains a tax blacklist and a grey list of jurisdictions it considers non-cooperative. Diplomatic Push for Fair Treatment Hoyos highlighted Panama’s recent regulatory reforms during the…

A medical milestone has been achieved in Chiriquí province. Doctors performed a cardiac procedure for the first time at a local hospital. Three children now have a new chance at life without traveling to Panama City. Dr. Rafael Hernández L. Specialized Hospital Center in David conducted the groundbreaking interventions. The patients were 8 months old, 9 months old, and 6 years old. Each child suffered from Persistent Ductus Arteriosus, a condition causing heart and lung complications if left untreated. The medical team performed the procedure in the facility’s Hybrid Operating Room, combining surgical and imaging capabilities. Minimally Invasive Heart Treatment…

Panamanian authorities have detained a foreign national at Tocumen International Airport. The woman is wanted by United States judicial authorities for her alleged involvement in a homicide case. Officers from the National Police of Panama made the arrest during routine immigration checks. The detention happened on Friday at the airport’s international transit area. Security personnel identified the suspect through an active international warrant. She was traveling from Havana, Cuba, with a final destination of Amsterdam, Netherlands. Her specific nationality has not been disclosed by officials. International Warrant from Texas Court The arrest warrant was issued by a court in the…

Panama City, Panama – At least four sugar mills have expressed interest in producing Bioethanol in Panama. The National Energy Secretary confirmed this development during ongoing legislative debates. The discussions center on Bill 443, which proposes mandatory ethanol blending with gasoline.The four companies include Santa Rosa (Azucarera Nacional), Grupo Calesa (Compañía Azucarera La Estrella, S.A.), Central Azucarera de Alanje, and Central Azucarera La Victoria. National Energy Secretary Rodrigo Rodríguez provided this information during the bill’s second debate at the National Assembly of Panama. [Translated from Spanish]Family Links Raise Questions at Alanje Sugar MillCentral Azucarera de Alanje has drawn particular attention.…

Panama City will welcome global business and political leaders for the World Free Zones Congress from May 12 to 14. The event focuses on the future of trade and investment in a rapidly changing global economy. Organizers aim to position free zones as engines for development and regional integration.The congress is organized by the World Free Zones Organization in partnership with the Government of Panama. Its theme is “Free zones in the new global operating model: challenges and opportunities.” The event seeks to create a strategic platform for dialogue and collaboration. Organizers want to promote resilient, digital and sustainable growth.Global…

Technicians and specialists recovered a Hydrophone installed six months ago at the Iguana Island Wildlife Refuge in Los Santos province. The recovery is part of ongoing marine monitoring and research efforts under the Sustainable Pacific project.The Ministry of Environment (Panama) confirmed the device collected vital data on the underwater soundscape. This area is one of the country’s primary whale watching zones. A new device has already been deployed to continue monitoring through the next migratory season, which runs from June to October.Acoustic Data Reveals Whale Behavior and Habitat UseThe information gathered will allow scientists to analyze the presence and seasonality…

Panama registered 2,094 cases of tuberculosis in 2025. The highest incidences appeared in Bocas del Toro, Panama East and Guna Yala. Data from the Ministry of Health (Panama) shows a persistent geographic divide in the disease’s spread. These numbers reveal a troubling pattern. The illness clusters in territories where healthcare access is limited and social conditions remain fragile. The Ministry of Health’s Tuberculosis Control Section released the figures this week. They show that Bocas del Toro, Panama East, Guna Yala and Panama Metro have infection rates far above the national average. Bocas del Toro reported 274 cases. That gives the…

Panama City, Panama – April 25, 2026. The administration of President José Raúl Mulino has formally signaled its intent to join the OECD. The first step was signing a Memorandum of Understanding for technical collaboration on data exchange and policy evaluation. But the path to full membership remains long and contentious. Becoming a member of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development has taken other nations between six and twenty years. Colombia’s journey serves as a recent example of the lengthy process. At the Annual Conference of Business Executives, known as CADE, a panel of experts debated the potential benefits…