Author: Sebastian Pieper

The Aquatic Resources Authority of Panama (ARAP) has officially opened the nation’s first shrimp fishing season for 2026. The season commenced on April 11 and will run through August 31, marking the end of a legally mandated closed period designed to protect marine stocks.This annual reopening allows commercial and local fishers to legally harvest shrimp, a key export commodity for the Central American nation. Authorities confirmed the start date after determining that the prior months of prohibition successfully supported species recovery and reproductive cycles. The season’s launch is expected to reactivate a significant portion of the coastal economy.Sustainable Management Underpins…

Copa Airlines has unveiled an ambitious operational forecast for 2026, projecting significant growth in its flight network, fleet, and workforce. The Panama-based carrier announced its plans this week, emphasizing its role in strengthening regional connectivity through its Hub of the Americas in Panama City. The airline, a member of the Star Alliance, expects to operate 420 daily flights connecting 88 destinations across 32 countries. This expansion solidifies Panama’s strategic position as a premier connection point for the Americas. Fleet and Network Growth Underpin Strategy Executive President Pedro Heilbron stated the growth plan relies on three core pillars. These are a…

The technology firm Sonda has delivered new electronic validators to Panama as part of a major modernization of the metropolitan area’s public transport payment system. The rollout, coordinated with the Metro de Panamá, MiBus, and the Land Transit and Transportation Authority (ATTT), aims to streamline fares and introduce new digital payment methods for passengers.This initiative marks the next phase in a technological evolution for the city’s fare collection infrastructure. Officials describe the new hardware as the foundation for a more advanced and efficient payment ecosystem. The goal is a faster, more flexible passenger experience that aligns with global urban mobility…

Drivers using Panama’s major highways owe more than 8 million dollars in unpaid tolls to the country’s National Highways Company. Officials from the state-owned company, known as ENA, reported the massive delinquency this week despite recent efforts to improve collection. The debt poses a significant challenge for maintaining the nation’s vital road corridors. The figures break down into two primary categories. Eric Zambrano, ENA’s collections manager, stated that drivers formally enrolled in the Panapass electronic toll system currently owe approximately 8 million dollars. A separate group of unaffiliated or unregistered vehicle operators has accumulated an additional 7 million dollars in…

The Supreme Court of Justice of Panama has rejected a legal challenge against the government’s seizure of land on Isla Margarita. This ruling clears a final hurdle for a major state-led port infrastructure project on the Atlantic entrance to the Panama Canal. In a unanimous decision, the court’s full bench declined to admit a lawsuit filed by the concession holder, Panama Colón Container Port, Inc. (PCCP). The company had argued that Executive Decree No. 90, signed in October 2025, was unconstitutional. That decree authorized the expropriation of 41 properties on the island for reasons of urgent social interest. Court Cites…

Panama secured a seat on the Executive Board of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF). The country’s election for the 2027-2029 term was finalized during recent sessions of the United Nations Economic and Social Council. This role places Panama within a core group of 36 member states overseeing UNICEF’s global activities and strategic direction. The Executive Board governs critical functions for the UN agency, including budget approvals and the establishment of key program policies. Panama’s membership means it will help guide UNICEF’s international work on child protection, education, health, and humanitarian response. The election underscores Panama’s growing diplomatic engagement within…

Engineers from Panama’s Ministry of Public Works and a U.S. Army team are conducting structural assessments of the critical Bridge of the Americas this week. The inspections follow a dramatic tanker truck explosion near the bridge on Monday, April 6, which sent intense flames against its metal framework. Authorities temporarily closed the vital crossing, causing significant traffic disruptions for the Panama Oeste region.The bridge, which links Panama City to the rest of the country and forms a key part of the Pan-American Highway, was exposed to extreme heat from the fire. Initial visual inspections by the Ministry of Public Works…

One in three children in Panama lives in poverty, a new joint report reveals. The stark findings show the nation’s economic recovery has failed to reverse a crisis disproportionately affecting its youngest citizens.The study, titled “Child Poverty in Panama: A Territorial Approach to Monetary Poverty in Childhood and Adolescence,” was produced by UNICEF, the World Bank, and Panama’s Ministry of Social Development. It analyzes data from 2005 to 2023. While national poverty rates have seen a modest decline over the past decade, progress has stalled for children and adolescents, creating a deep and persistent gap.A Stalled Recovery and Structural InequalityPanama’s…

A man died from gunshot wounds in Panama City’s Santa Cruz neighborhood on Tuesday, marking another violent incident in a recent surge of capital crime. The shooting occurred near the district of Curundú, a known high-crime area, according to preliminary reports from the National Police of Panama.Authorities responded to reports of an exchange of gunfire inside a local residence. The victim sustained multiple bullet wounds. Emergency services transported him to a nearby hospital where he was pronounced dead shortly after arrival. Police cordoned off the scene to begin their investigation.”National Police units immediately implemented search operations in adjacent sectors to…

The Social Security Fund of Panama has uncovered a payroll fraud scheme involving several of its own employees. An internal investigation revealed public servants falsified court-ordered salary deductions to pay personal debts, the agency announced this week. Officials said the employees manipulated the system for processing alimony and child support garnishments. They created fake judicial orders to deduct money from their own salaries, channeling those funds to a furniture store that acted as a front to settle their private obligations. Serious Violation of Law and Trust The agency, known locally as the Caja de Seguro Social (CSS), condemned the actions…