Author: Sebastian Pieper

The Government of Panama confirmed the release of three Panamanian women detained in Cuba. The announcement came Friday through an official statement. This marks a significant diplomatic breakthrough in a case that has drawn international attention.Evelyn Castro, Cinthia del Carmen Camarena and Abigail Shefany Gudiño now have authorization to leave Cuban territory. The decision came after a ruling by Cuban authorities. Officials described the move as a gesture of humanity and friendship toward Panama. [Translated from Spanish]The released individuals provided cooperation during the legal process. Authorities cited their status as effective collaborators under the Cuban legal system. The criteria of…

The Sanitation Program of Panama has begun expanding the sanitary sewer network in San Francisco. The project, called “Expansion of the Sanitary Network of Coco del Mar and Viña del Mar,” carries an investment of approximately $3 million. Work started on April 15 and will run through December. Officials confirmed the 240-day construction schedule spans eight months. Crews are opening existing trenches, removing old wastewater pipes, and replacing them with larger capacity lines. The goal is to improve black water management in these communities. Workers operate Monday through Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The project runs on two…

More than 100,000 residents in Panama’s Azuero Peninsula have been without running tap water for nearly a year. The government has now drilled over 50 wells as its primary response to the escalating emergency. The crisis began on May 27, 2025, when the National Institute of Aqueducts and Sewers (Idaan) shut down four water treatment plants. Severe contamination of the La Villa and Estibaná rivers forced the shutdown. These rivers served as the main water sources for thousands of families in Herrera and Los Santos provinces. Daily life has changed dramatically for affected residents since that date. Thousands of households…

Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino confirmed that Israeli President Isaac Herzog will make an official visit to Panama on May 6. The announcement came during an expanded cabinet meeting held in the province of Los Santos. [Translated from Spanish]The visit will focus heavily on national concerns, particularly the water crisis affecting the Azuero Peninsula. President Mulino made the statement while Health Minister Fernando Boyd Galindo was addressing the cabinet. Water scarcity has become one of the most pressing issues for communities in that region.”I am going to have the official visit of the president of Israel on May 6 so…

Panama City’s historic Casco Antiguo, Panama district will mark its first anniversary as a pedestrian-only zone this Sunday. The event runs from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., drawing artisans, merchants and tourists together for a massive street celebration. City officials announced the milestone during a press conference this week. The pedestrian initiative, known locally as the casco peatonal, has transformed how people experience the colonial neighborhood. Over 800,000 visitors have walked its cobblestone streets during the first year. That foot traffic generated more than $14.5 million in economic activity, based on average spending for transport, food, local shops and cultural…

Panama City, Panama – President José Raúl Mulino has returned three legislative bills to the National Assembly of Panama without his signature. The President cited constitutional and procedural flaws in all three proposals. The move forces lawmakers to reopen debates on legislation covering bank debt, municipal taxes, and government office rents. Mulino sent formal objections to Assembly President Jorge Luis Herrera on Tuesday. His office described the bills as both “inconvenient” and “unconstitutional” in their current forms. Bank Debt Bill Rejected in its Entirety The strongest rejection came for Bill 388. This proposal would have allowed banks and financial entities…

The Panama Canal recorded a significant increase in both transits and cargo tonnage during the first six months of Fiscal Year 2026. Canal officials shared the positive results during a virtual market update organized by Bank of America Merrill Lynch on Tuesday.Ricaurte Vásquez Morales, the Canal administrator, confirmed the waterway handled 6,288 transits from October 2025 to March 2026. That represents an increase of 224 transits compared to the same period last year. Total cargo reached 254 million PC/UMS tons, roughly 5 percent higher than the 243 million tons recorded in the prior fiscal year.Strong Performance Across Key SectorsThe numbers…

Panama’s Ministry of Social Development is making progress with a new early childhood initiative. The pilot program called Cuidarte now reaches 900 families across three distinct regions. These include Coclé province, the Emberá Wounaan comarca, and the Ngäbe Buglé comarca. The program targets children between 6 and 48 months of age. It focuses on strengthening family bonds and supporting comprehensive child development. Community workers conduct weekly home visits to provide direct guidance. Parents and caregivers learn through play-based activities, interaction exercises, and exploration techniques. The goal transforms ordinary homes into active learning environments for young children. Minister Visits Remote Communities…

A partnership between Trashforma, Senacyt Panama and the Remar Foundation is turning trash into jobs. What many people see as worthless garbage is becoming a source of employment and innovative waste solutions. Glass bottles become drinking glasses for hotels and restaurants. Plastics transform into raw materials for the textile industry. These recycling centers use industrial processes to give materials a second life. Even discarded plastic pipe fragments can be reused to make clothing. The project has recycled more than 2,000 tons of waste in less than seven years. That waste now serves useful purposes across multiple sectors. Industrial Process Turns…

The San Miguelito District in Panama has inaugurated its first municipal veterinary clinic. The facility, named “Más Colas,” officially opened its doors this week. It provides low-cost medical services for dogs and cats in response to a rising number of abandoned and mistreated animals. Located in Los Andes 2, behind the local sports court and next to the Los Andes 2 school, the clinic aims to deliver dignified and accessible care. Services include general consultations, surgeries, vaccinations, deworming, and sterilization. The project is a collaborative effort between the Manchitas Foundation, the Presidency, and the office of the first lady. “We…