Author: spieper

A significant vegetation fire is burning within Panama’s La Yeguada Forest Reserve, prompting a major multi-agency response. Volunteer forest brigades from the Ministry of Environment (Panama) are leading firefighting efforts with support from Veraguas Fire Department units and a non-governmental Search and Rescue (SAR) team. The blaze was first reported near the community of Loma de La Cebolla on January 22, 2026. The fire is consuming large quantities of grasses and mountain straw in a remote northern section of the protected area. Officials describe the terrain as extremely difficult to access. Reaching the active fire zone requires a two-hour hike…

The Panamanian government has added eight more chemicals to its national prohibition of highly hazardous pesticides. Officials announced the new restrictions this week, bringing the total number of banned agricultural pesticides to twenty since President Jose Raul Mulino took office. The move aims to protect public health and align the country with international chemical safety standards.A new resolution, published in the official gazette on January 20, 2026, formally prohibits the registration, import, manufacture, sale, and use of eight specific compounds. The banned substances are Alachlor, Benomyl, Carbaryl, Endosulfan, Formaldehyde, Imazalil, Propachlor, and Spirodiclofen. This action follows an earlier ban on…

Panama’s Ministry of Health confirmed approximately 100 cases of dengue fever during the first epidemiological week of the new year. The data, covering January 4 to 10, shows no severe cases or deaths so far, but health officials are intensifying national prevention efforts. This early surge has prompted a renewed focus on vector control and public cooperation to curb transmission.The national epidemiology report breaks down the 100 cases into 90 without alarm signs and 10 with alarm signs. Nine patients required hospitalization, though none developed into severe dengue. The country’s incidence rate currently sits at 2.2 cases per 100,000 inhabitants,…

A violent assault inside the office of a community judge in Las Tablas has sparked urgent safety concerns across Panama’s justice system. The attack occurred this week when a man entered the local office and physically assaulted the presiding judge and another court official. This incident has reopened a critical debate about security protocols in community justice offices, which frequently handle emotionally charged cases. According to the affected judge’s testimony, the situation escalated rapidly after the individual entered her workspace. He initially asked if she was still the serving community judge, a question that did not immediately signal danger. The…

The 65th La Chorrera International Fair opened officially on Wednesday, January 21, launching an 11-day celebration of Panamanian culture, commerce, and agriculture. The event, one of the country’s most popular, is expected to draw over 300,000 visitors to the district of La Chorrera, Panama before it concludes on February 1. Organizers commenced the fair with a traditional ribbon-cutting ceremony. Folkloric groups in traditional “pollera” dresses and musical bands provided entertainment for the opening day crowd, setting a festive tone for the coming days. Cultural Passport Guides Fairgoers A new “cultural passport” serves as this year’s primary innovation for visitor navigation.…

Panama’s Civil Aviation Authority is negotiating with the Canadian government to secure extra flights for soccer fans traveling to the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Officials confirmed the formal request this week as existing weekly flight frequencies between the countries are fully booked. The move addresses a unique bottleneck because Canada requires government-to-government approval for charter flights unlike other destinations.Rafael Bárcenas, the Director of Panama’s Civil Aviation Authority, explained the situation stems from restrictive bilateral air service agreements. Panama currently operates 14 weekly flights to Canada, split evenly between Toronto and Montreal. All seats on these regular services are already sold…

The Panamanian government unveiled a major economic stimulus plan this week, detailing 37 public investment projects set for 2026. Officials from multiple state institutions presented the plan at an inter-agency press conference in Panama City, stating it will generate approximately 30,000 new jobs nationwide. This coordinated initiative involves the Ministry of Labor, the Social Security Fund (Caja de Seguro Social), the National Migration Service, and the Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprise Authority. The goal is to boost formal employment while enforcing labor and migration laws. Enforcement and Labor Protection Efforts Labor Minister Jackeline Muñoz emphasized that protecting Panamanian workers remains…

Civil society organizations have presented a suite of initiatives to the Panama City Council aimed at boosting productivity and digital skills for the country’s older adult population. The proposals, introduced this week, directly address the employment barriers and social isolation often faced by seniors, with a focus on harnessing their professional experience through technology.Advocates detailed plans for socio-digital literacy programs, telemedicine, and remote health monitoring. These models are already being piloted in the corregimiento of Betania, an area home to more than 10,000 senior residents. The push comes as Panama’s demographic shift creates both challenges and economic opportunities tied to…

Panama City’s municipal government is pushing to finish rehabilitating three main streets in the historic Barrio Chino, or Chinatown, ahead of the 2026 Chinese New Year celebrations. Urban Planning Director David Tapia confirmed the accelerated timeline this week, noting that work resumed strongly after delays.The project focuses on Calle 15, Ramón Valdés Street, and Eloy Alfaro Street. These critical arteries connect major points like the Seafood Market, the San Felipe Neri church, and the entrance to the Casco Antiguo, Panama historic district. Deliverables include new paving stones, modern lighting, street furniture, and fully updated sanitary and stormwater systems.Archaeological Finds and…

Panamanian President Jose Raul Mulino arrived in Davos, Switzerland on Monday to participate in the annual World Economic Forum. His three-day working visit aims to secure strategic foreign investment for Panama’s energy and logistics sectors, according to a statement from his office.The president leads a high-level delegation including First Lady Maricel Cohen de Mulino and Foreign Minister Javier Martinez Acha. Their agenda features meetings with heads of state from Switzerland, Singapore, the Netherlands, Ecuador, and Austria. The forum expects 64 heads of state and over 3,000 political and business leaders from 130 countries to attend this year’s gathering, themed “Spirit…