The Latest Breaking News from Panama

Counterfeiting, contraband, cocaine: how Panama’s trade hub lost its lustre

Colón’s free trade zone was meant to be hub for the Americas but it has become a byword for drugs, gangs and violence

The Guardian - US · Jan 26, 2023

Former Panama president's sons return after U.S. conviction for money laundering

Two sons of former Panamanian President Ricardo Martinelli returned to their country on Wednesday, after serving a sentence in the United States for money laundering in a case linked to the Odebrecht scandal, a spokesperson for the family said.

Reuters · Jan 26, 2023

U.S. bars Panamanian ex-President Martinelli from entering the country

The United States will bar former Panamanian President Ricardo Martinelli and his immediate family from entering the country, accusing him of accepting bribes, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Wednesday.

Reuters · Jan 26, 2023

Panama seizes record number of drugs for second consecutive year

Panama seized a record for drugs in 2022, its Public Security ministry said on Saturday, as the country struggles with drugs being trafficked through its territory to the United States and Europe.

Reuters · Dec 24, 2022

Panama aims for 'fair' deal with Canadian miner First Quantum

Panama's government is in talks with Canada-based miner First Quantum Minerals over the conditions under which it operates its flagship copper mine, the government's Chief Revenue Officer Publio De Gracia said on Friday. 

Reuters · Dec 23, 2022

Canadian firm blames Panama for closure of copper mine

A Canadian company is claiming the government of Panama cut off talks, resulting in the closure of a huge copper mine

The Independent UK · Dec 16, 2022

Panama ex-President Martinelli to stand trial on money laundering charge

A Panamanian judge summoned former President Ricardo Martinelli to stand trial for a money laundering charge, investigators said on Friday.

Reuters · Dec 10, 2022

Panama confronts illegal trafficking of animals

In a tropical forest beside the Panama Canal, two endangered, black-handed spider monkeys swing about their wire enclosure balanced by their long tails

The Independent UK · Nov 29, 2022

Russian crewman's hand cut off in cargo ship accident

SONGKHLA: A Russian crewman on a Panama-registered cargo ship was brought ashore in a medical evacuation for hospital treatment after his right hand was cut off in a work accident on Saturday.

Bangkok Post · Nov 27, 2022

UN Wildlife Conference Ends with Protection for 500 Species

An international conference on trade in endangered species ended Friday in Panama, with protections established for over 500 species. The measures were approved by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, known by its initials as CITES. The conference agreed to tighten trade regulations…

Asharq Al-Awsat · Nov 26, 2022