Author: Sebastian Pieper
Panama’s National Institute of Vocational Training and Human Development (INADEH) and the Panama Tourism Authority (ATP) have signed a new cooperation agreement. The technical assistance pact, finalized this week, aims to streamline the professional certification process for the country’s tourist guides.This agreement formally homologates the Professional Technician in General Tourism Guide course taught by INADEH with the official certification required by the ATP. Officials from both institutions stated the move directly addresses the need to strengthen service quality within Panama’s vital tourism sector. It ensures guides possess competencies aligned with current national standards.Juan Carlos Navarro, a representative from INADEH, explained…
A beachfront vacation rental property in Malibu Beach, Panama, collapsed completely on Saturday morning, April 4. The incident was caused by powerful waves and a coastal swell event that struck the Pacific coast on Good Friday night. Officials from Panama’s National Civil Protection System (SINAPROC) responded to the scene in the Nueva Gorgona area of Chame district, Panama Oeste province. No injuries were reported because the rental units were unoccupied at the time of the collapse. After assessing the site, authorities cordoned off the area with perimeter tape to prevent visitors from approaching the unstable structure. This event highlights the…
More than 120,000 pilgrims from across Panama converged on the Santo Cristo de Alanje Diocesan Sanctuary during Holy Week. The annual tradition in the town of Alanje draws massive crowds seeking spiritual renewal and to witness the site’s famed miracles. The sanctuary, a cornerstone of Catholic faith in the region, served as the focal point for days of prayer and veneration. Activities throughout the week allowed the faithful to prepare for the culminating Easter Sunday Resurrection Mass. A Sanctuary of Miracles and Renewal Pilgrims participated in a series of religious acts, from venerating the miraculous Christ figure to personal prayer.…
A former partner from the defunct Panamanian law firm Mossack Fonseca is on trial in Germany, a decade after the landmark Panama Papers investigation first exposed his alleged role in facilitating global tax evasion. The proceedings against Christoph Zollinger in a Cologne courtroom represent one of the most significant legal actions to stem directly from the 2016 data leak. They underscore the long and complex path to accountability in the shadowy world of offshore finance that the Pulitzer Prize-winning project brought to light. German prosecutors allege Zollinger, a dual Swiss-Panamanian citizen, was a key member of a group that helped…
The Mayor’s Office of Panama City has formally initiated its application to become an accredited Wetland City under the international Ramsar Convention. This effort, coordinated with Panama’s Ministry of Environment, aims to secure the designation ahead of the Conference of the Parties (COP16) in 2028. The accreditation would recognize the capital’s commitment to integrating urban wetlands into its sustainable development planning. City and national environmental officials have already held a series of foundational meetings to establish a joint roadmap. Their goal is to systematically build a case that Panama City meets the rigorous global standards for wetland conservation within an…
A young Spanish woman named Noelia has died after receiving euthanasia under the nation’s law. Her case concluded a protracted legal battle that captured national attention and reignited complex ethical debates. Spain legalized euthanasia and assisted suicide in 2021, becoming one of the few countries worldwide with such legislation.The woman, who was a paraplegic, had fought in court for her right to the procedure. Her father had initially opposed her request, leading to a judicial review that ultimately upheld her decision. This high-profile application of the law highlights the practical and personal challenges of implementing right-to-die statutes, even where they…
Panama’s Ministry of Health has formally installed a new Technical Council for Medical Cannabis. The move, executed this week, is a direct effort to strengthen the implementation of the country’s 2021 therapeutic cannabis law and improve patient access to regulated treatments. The council’s establishment, mandated by Executive Decree 27 of 2025, creates a central governing body to oversee the nascent medical cannabis program. Officials stated the primary goal is to ensure safe, controlled, and quality-controlled access for Panamanian patients who qualify for this type of treatment. Health Minister Fernando Boyd Galindo presided over the installation ceremony. He emphasized the patient-centric…
Panama’s traditional Pan Bon, a spiced fruit bread, is a seasonal delicacy deeply woven into the nation’s cultural fabric. This moist, sweet loaf, particularly sought after during Easter celebrations, represents more than just a recipe. It embodies centuries of Afro-Caribbean heritage and migration history tied directly to the construction of the Panama Canal.The bread’s distinctive flavor comes from a specific blend of ingredients. Bakers combine sugar, anise, powdered cinnamon, crystallized fruits, and raisins. This mixture yields a uniquely dense and aromatic final product cherished across generations.Afro-Caribbean Roots and Canal Construction LegacyHistorians trace Pan Bon’s origins to Afro-Antillean communities. Residents of…
Panama’s national government has begun implementing a new digital platform for transport operators to access fixed price fuel. The system, which launched this week, aims to stabilize fares and shield the public from volatile international oil prices. Officials from multiple agencies described it as a critical tool for transparency and control.The platform will manage a targeted subsidy program approved by the Cabinet Council. Resolution No. 24-26 sets a fixed price of B/.3.33 per gallon for 91-octane gasoline and B/.3.41 per gallon for low-sulfur diesel. This relief measure is authorized for up to ten months, though officials noted its continuation depends…
The Panama City Municipality announced a partial closure of its main seafood market for a deep cleaning operation next Monday. Restaurants within the popular market will open in the afternoon, but all retail seafood sales will be suspended for the entire day.This intensive cleaning initiative is part of a broader sanitation program run by the Municipal Markets Directorate. Officials said the program targets all municipal food vending centers to ensure proper sanitary conditions for both vendors and the thousands of customers who visit daily. The scheduled work includes high-pressure washing, internal and external fumigation, stall disinfection, and maintenance of green…