Author: Editorial Team
Two separate power outages struck Panama on Monday, affecting thousands of customers and reviving questions about the reliability of the national electricity system. The first incident originated at the Cobre Panama power plant in Donoso, while the second was linked to a transmission line failure attributed to weather conditions. The blackouts hit the capital, Colon, and eastern Panama zones. They exposed lingering vulnerabilities in a grid still adjusting to the aftermath of the mine’s operational shift. ENSA, the distribution company serving those areas, confirmed the disruptions. First Incident Linked to Cobre Panama Power Plant The first outage occurred at 11:59…
Panama will debut its first satellite-based mobile network later this year. Operator Más Móvil announced the partnership with Starlink during the Move On 2026 event in Panama City. The service, called “+Más | Starlink,” aims to bring cellular coverage to remote areas beyond the reach of traditional ground networks. The solution relies on Direct-to-Cell technology. This system uses Starlink’s low-Earth orbit satellite constellation to connect standard LTE phones directly. No external antennas or specialized equipment are needed. The announcement came from Cable & Wireless Panama, the parent company of the operator. Rocio Lorenzo, CEO and general manager of +Móvil, confirmed…
Panama will reduce maximum fuel prices across the country starting Friday, May 29, with the biggest cut applied to diesel. The National Energy Secretariat of Panama announced the adjustment on Wednesday. The new rates will remain in effect until June 12, 2026. The price of 95-octane gasoline will drop to $5.06 per gallon in Panama City and Colon. That works out to $1.337 per liter. The 91-octane gasoline will fall to $4.74 per gallon, or $1.252 per liter. But the largest reduction hit diesel fuel. Ultra-low sulfur diesel saw a decrease of 4.5 cents per liter, which translates to roughly…
Two young Panamanian scientists have launched pioneering research on the Mesoamerican otter in the country’s central watersheds. The project marks the first ecological data collection for this species in Panama. The research focuses on the Lontra annectens species across river basins in Veraguas and Herrera provinces. Scientists Gabriela Quintana and Ángel Pérez lead the field studies with support from the Coiba Scientific Station and the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM). [Translated from Spanish] Field Studies in Veraguas and Herrera Gabriela Quintana, a student at the International Maritime University of Panama, works in the upper Santa María River basin in…
The United States ambassador to Panama announced a major environmental investment for the Darien province on Tuesday. Kevin Marino Cabrera confirmed the delivery of approximately 3 million dollars to fund a comprehensive clean-up plan. The initiative targets areas heavily impacted by the mass transit of migrants in recent months. The funds will support environmental recovery in zones affected by solid waste accumulation. Plastics, clothing and other debris have damaged the natural landscape. The project aims to restore the ecological conditions of the jungle region. Cabrera explained that the effort represents a joint operation with Panama’s Ministry of Environment. It forms…
Environmental authorities in Panama have begun demolishing an illegal concrete swimming pool. The structure was built directly on top of a living coral reef ecosystem. The pool sits within a luxury residential complex in Portobelo, Colon province. Officials from the Ministry of Environment confirmed the operation on Tuesday. The demolition follows years of legal disputes and citizen complaints dating back to 2020. Technical staff from the ministry’s regional office in Colon are now supervising the removal. They are enforcing Resolution DRCL-M-REMOC-001-0502-2025, issued on February 5, 2025. That document orders the complete removal and demolition of the illegal structure. Pool Built…
Panama City, Panama. Rising temperatures across the nation are driving a sustained increase in electricity consumption. The surge is primarily linked to the heavy use of air conditioning units and other household appliances, energy sector specialists confirmed this week. The country is approaching demand levels not seen since the 2023 El Niño phenomenon [Translated from Spanish]. Carlos Iglesias, the electricity coordinator for Panama’s National Energy Secretariat, stated that the Panama National Interconnected System is currently handling nearly 2,000 megawatts of demand. Consumption Spikes During Peak Heat Hours Consumption in April hovered around 1,980 megawatts. That figure continues to climb as…
Panamanian entrepreneurs aged 18 to 30 can now apply for the third edition of the “Competitive Microgrants” program. The initiative, led by Fundamorgan, aims to boost youth leadership through social and environmental business projects. Applications opened this week in Panama City. The program will award three grants of $2,000 each to strengthen winning proposals. Participants also receive comprehensive training, mentorship, and specialized support. The focus remains on developing sustainable projects with positive community impact across Panama. Fundamorgan officials confirmed the application deadline is June 2, 2026. Program Structure and Mentorship Opportunities Selected entrepreneurs will access expert mentorship and a rigorous…
Panamanian Foreign Minister Javier Martínez-Acha met with his Costa Rican counterpart Manuel Tovar in New York on Tuesday. The meeting took place during the Open Debate of the United Nations Security Council. Both leaders agreed to advance a joint work agenda focused on strategic issues for both nations. The meeting occurred at the headquarters of the United Nations. Martínez-Acha extended an invitation for Costa Rican President Laura Fernández to attend the Bicentennial commemoration of the Amphictyonic Congress of Panama. The event is scheduled for late June. It aims to strengthen political dialogue and promote regional integration across Latin American nations.…
Panama City, Panama – The Ministry of Health Panama has issued a stark warning to outdoor workers. Officials say laborers in agriculture, construction, and mining face a growing threat from a silent killer. The disease is called Non-Traditional Chronic Kidney Disease (ERCnT). This condition attacks healthy young adults. It is not caused by diabetes or high blood pressure. Instead, doctors link it directly to extreme heat and dehydration. The warning comes as temperatures across Panama reach critical levels. What Is Non-Traditional Chronic Kidney Disease? Subdirector of Health Promotion, Enélida Guerra, explained the disease in detail. She said ERCnT develops silently…