Author: spieper

Colón, Panama – Panamanian law enforcement has apprehended a 22-year-old man wanted in connection with a 2022 homicide case following an extensive search operation. José Vidal Gil was captured in the mountainous region of the Donoso district, Costa Abajo de Colón, on October 27, after remaining a fugitive for nearly three years. Authorities confirmed that Gil was listed among the most wanted individuals by the Panamanian justice system. His arrest stems from the alleged killing of Alcibiades Figueroa, which occurred on the night of October 23, 2022, in the rural community of Villa del Carmen. According to the Ministerio Público,…

PANAMA CITY, Panama – The Directorate General of Revenue (DGI) of Panama has officially launched its Digital Transformation Support Program for the Tax Administration (PATDAT), initiating comprehensive training for officials in a move to modernize national tax collection systems. The program, backed by a $40 million investment managed through the Inter-American Development Bank, aims to optimize processes and deliver more efficient technological services to taxpayers while strengthening national treasury revenues.The inaugural workshop, held on October 31, 2025, marks the operational beginning of PATDAT, which involves coordination across multiple government entities. These include various directorates within the Ministry of Economy and…

PANAMA CITY, Panama – The United States government has bolstered Panama’s border security and migrant repatriation efforts with a significant donation of six specialized vehicles valued at nearly $600,000. U.S. Ambassador Kevin Marino Cabrera formally handed over the keys to Panama’s Minister of Public Security, Frank Ábrego, during a ceremony at the Presidential Hangar of Marcos A. Gelabert International Airport on October 30, 2025.The donation, funded by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, marks the first delivery under an extended bilateral agreement aimed at combating illegal immigration. The new fleet is intended to enhance the operational capacity of Panama’s National…

PANAMA CITY, Panama – Caja de Ahorros, Panama’s national savings bank, is marking World Savings Day by reporting significant growth in total deposits and new account openings, underscoring a strengthened public trust in the institution. The financial entity announced that as of September 2025, its total deposits reached B/.5,588 million, representing a 2.5% increase compared to 2024 figures, alongside the opening of more than 40,000 new savings accounts this year.The bank released these figures on October 31st, a date recognized globally as World Savings Day. This day was established nearly a century ago in Milan following the Great Depression to…

PANAMA CITY, Panama – The Republic of Panama has secured a decisive victory in a high-stakes international investment arbitration case filed by the Spanish construction company Sacyr, S.A. The ruling, issued on October 31, 2025, by a tribunal operating under the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) rules, rejected all of Sacyr’s multi-billion-dollar claims concerning the Panama Canal expansion project.The dispute originated from Sacyr’s involvement in the design and construction of the Third Set of Locks project, a cornerstone of the canal’s expansion. Sacyr was a key member of the consortium Grupo Unidos por el Canal (GUPC), which…

The Republic of Panama’s Comptroller General has ordered the seizure of assets valued at $285,845.82 from former San Miguelito Mayor Héctor Valdés Carrasquilla and three other individuals. The action follows the detection of alleged irregularities in the administration of funds at the San Miguelito municipality, specifically involving collections at the Metro Mall agency during a two-month period in 2022.The order, issued by the government’s top fiscal oversight body, imposes precautionary measures to protect public patrimony while an administrative process determines final responsibilities. The case centers on the alleged mishandling of municipal revenues, which officials state adversely affected public assets.Forensic Audit…

PANAMA CITY, Panama – The Panama Canal Authority (ACP) has formally initiated a comprehensive, year-long process to select operators for two new container terminals planned for the Atlantic and Pacific ends of the vital waterway. The move, announced on October 28, 2025, is designed to significantly boost Panama’s container capacity and solidify its role as a global logistics hub amid ongoing geopolitical tensions surrounding existing port facilities.The development of the new terminals is a central part of Panama’s strategy to increase its annual container transshipment capacity by 5 million TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units). Canal authorities position the project as critical…

PANAMA CITY, Panama – President José Raúl Mulino has definitively rejected a series of anti-corruption legislative proposals championed by Attorney General Luis Carlos Gómez Rudy, declaring that Panama does not need new laws to fight corruption. The President’s statement, made during a press conference on Thursday, October 30, 2025, signals a significant policy rift within the government and halts the momentum of the Attorney General’s reform agenda.”In this country, corruption does not need more laws,” President Mulino stated, directly countering the Attorney General’s position. He emphasized that existing legislation is sufficient if properly enforced. “What we lack is the will…

PANAMA CITY, Panama – U.S. President Donald Trump has formally congratulated Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino on the 122nd anniversary of Panama’s independence from Colombia, emphasizing the strong bilateral relationship and committing to enhanced cooperation on security, trade, and the protection of the Panama Canal. The letter, dated October 2025, was shared publicly by President Mulino via his official social media account.In the diplomatic correspondence, President Trump characterized Panama as a “firm friend and valuable ally” of the United States. He specifically acknowledged Panama’s critical role in regional security initiatives, including the fight against drug trafficking and irregular migration, which…

PANAMA CITY, Panama – The Land Transit and Transport Authority (ATTT), in collaboration with Sertracen Panama, has officially launched a newly designed physical driver’s license featuring an advanced QR code for instant verification. The initiative, announced this week, marks a significant step in Panama’s efforts to modernize its identification documents and enhance road security by integrating international-standard anti-fraud technology. The updated license incorporates sophisticated security features designed to provide greater confidence for both drivers and traffic authorities. The central innovation is a scannable QR code that allows for the immediate authentication of the document, significantly reducing the potential for forgery.…