Author: Sebastian Pieper
A sudden leadership change within Panama’s State Assets Directorate has prompted an interim reorganization at the country’s finance ministry. The Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF) confirmed the immediate resignation of director Reggie Moreno this Thursday, citing personal reasons. Officials moved quickly to appoint interim replacements to oversee the nation’s portfolio of public properties.The reshuffle aims to ensure no disruption in managing state-owned real estate and other holdings. Antonio Richa, previously the deputy director, will now lead the directorate on an interim basis. Katia Pimento has been appointed to serve as the acting deputy director during this transition period.The changes…
Panamanian environmental authorities are monitoring an unusual increase in sargassum seaweed along the nation’s Caribbean coastline. Experts warn the influx, while still infrequent for Panama, poses a significant threat to marine ecosystems and coastal communities. The phenomenon has been most concentrated in the province of Colon, according to recent field reports. Biologist Noemi Leon explained that while sargassum plays a vital natural role in the open ocean, massive coastal accumulations become destructive. These dense mats block sunlight and deplete oxygen in the water as they decompose. Ecological and Economic Impacts Documented The affected regions include areas of Colon such as…
The return to classrooms across Panama has brought a familiar and unwelcome guest. Health and education officials are reporting the seasonal surge of head lice infestations among schoolchildren, a persistent public health challenge that peaks during the academic year. The close contact inherent in school settings provides an ideal environment for the parasites to spread from child to child.This annual cycle begins as students increase their time together in confined spaces. The problem is not unique to Panama but is a common issue in schools worldwide wherever children gather. The insects, known scientifically as Head lice, spread primarily through direct…
People living in the Chivo Chivo and Kuna Nega areas near Panama City say isolated roads are being used by hitmen to abandon murder victims. Community testimonies point to at least three recent cases that have heightened fear, with bodies discovered in hard-to-reach locations with little police oversight. One specific location, a property beside the two-kilometer mark on the corridor connecting Chilibre to the capital near Kuna Nega, has seen scattered human remains found. Police and officials from the Ministry of Public (Panama) have conducted investigations at the site. Residents describe a growing sense of dread as their neighborhoods become…
The Panama City Council voted this week to establish a paid parking system for a section of the popular coastal beltway. Council members approved Mayor Mayer Mizrachi’s proposal with overwhelming support, though questions about jurisdictional authority could complicate its implementation. Approved on Tuesday, March 24, the measure specifically targets parking at the Cultural Center in the Puerta Sur sector. This area is part of the expansive third phase of the city’s linear coastal park. The council’s finance committee reviewed the proposal for eight days before sending it to a full vote, where it passed with 24 votes in favor. Details…
Copa Airlines has added 42 new first officers to its flight crew roster. The Panamanian carrier celebrated their graduation this week as part of a strategic push to develop local talent for the growing aviation sector. These pilots completed their training at the Latin American Higher Academy of Aviation, known as ALAS, which maintains a direct partnership with the airline.The graduation ceremony took place in Panama City. It highlights a concerted effort to build a pipeline of qualified aviation professionals within Panama. Industry expansion both domestically and across Latin America is driving this demand for specialized personnel.Strategic Investment in Local…
Panamanian and British officials gathered this week to commemorate a pivotal moment in regional diplomacy. The events mark the approaching 200th anniversary of the Congress of Panama, a foundational meeting for international cooperation in the Americas. The activities included a formal reception and a historical tour, underscoring shared history and contemporary partnership. The United Kingdom’s Ambassador to Panama, Greg Houston, hosted the reception to welcome visiting British historian Professor Geoffrey Hicks. Hicks, from the University of East Anglia, is in the country for academic events tied to the bicentennial. Officials from both nations emphasized the enduring relevance of the 1826…
Panama’s top diplomat met with ten detained Panamanian nationals in Havana this week. Foreign Minister Javier Martínez-Acha confirmed the visit occurred during his official trip to Cuba, which began on March 25, 2026.The citizens have been held by Cuban authorities since late February. They face accusations of committing crimes against the nation’s Constitutional order, charges that could carry prison sentences of up to eight years.Minister Confirms Humanitarian TreatmentMartínez-Acha held extensive talks with the detainees. He assessed their health and verified they are receiving humanitarian treatment and proper legal assistance, according to official sources from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of…
Construction crews are putting the final touches on a major road expansion project in the Villa Zaita sector of Panama City. Virginia Martinez, the Roadway Manager for the CLPN Consortium, confirmed the work is on track for delivery by the end of April. This infrastructure upgrade is a key component of the larger Fourth Bridge over the Canal project, which recently passed the 27 percent completion mark.The current work focuses on finishing tasks like cleaning, joint sealing, and preparing for new road markings. Installation of landscaping and greenery is also underway. These final steps will convert the construction zone into…
Panamanian security forces intercepted two separate attempts to smuggle prohibited items into prisons this week. Officials at the La Joyita and La Joya penitentiary centers thwarted the efforts, one involving a backpack carrier and another using drones. The incidents highlight ongoing challenges in securing prison perimeters against innovative smuggling methods. The National Police of Panama apprehended a 46-year-old man near La Joyita prison. Monitoring personnel first alerted agents to suspicious activity in the area of the old conjugal visit zone. A search operation located the individual hiding in dense brush. He was carrying three bags filled with prohibited goods. The…