Newsroom Panama Quick Reads for November 30 and December 2025
Panama’s Airport Tocumen Demands $2 million From Odebrecht for Roof Repairs
Although Terminal 2 has been operating at 100% capacity since June 2022, the internal coating of the metal roof structure shows advanced wear. Tocumen, SA will undertake repairs estimated at $2 million, but this amount will be added to the lawsuits against Odebrecht for defects detected in the construction.
Cases are Stable but Most Diagnoses Arrive Late: HIV in Panama:
AIDS-related deaths rose from 226 in 2023 to 284 in 2024, according to the Ministry of Health’s Epidemiology Department. The country faces a problem because most HIV diagnoses occur in advanced stages.
After a Tour of Taiwan that Reignited Diplomatic Debate; Lawmakers Return to Panama
Assembly clarifies that it did not receive a formal invitation for travel to Taiwan and will not pay travel expenses. A group of members of parliament arrived home Sunday, November 30. The tour of Taiwan proceeded despite opposition from the Panamanian government, with an agenda focused on diplomatic and trade meetings with high-ranking Taiwanese officials. It was not well thought out or appreciated by the current government. It would appear to be clandestine, parallel, and subversive diplomacy. They violated the disciplinary rules of the Legislative Branch and the National Constitution, and exercised official functions of the Presidential Cabinet. They announced achievements that may confuse and promise false expectations to citizens and the international community.
Panama’s Chamber of Commerce Calls for Strengthening National Unity beyond the Month of the Fatherland
The business sector emphasized that Panama’s development depends not only on the government, but also on the daily commitment of every citizen, and urged everyone to maintain unity, respect, and teamwork throughout the year.
Venezuela and the US Raise Tensions with Airlines Taking Precautions to Operate the Skies
Six airlines cancelled flights to Venezuela on Saturday, an industry group said, after the U.S. aviation regulator warned of dangers from “heightened military activity” amid a major buildup of American forces in the region. Spain’s Iberia, Portugal’s TAP, Chile’s LATAM, Colombia’s Avianca, Brazil’s GOL and Trinidad and Tobago’s Caribbean have suspended their flights to the country, said Marisela de Loaiza, president of the Venezuelan Airlines Association (ALAV). Panama’s Copa Airlines, Spain’s Air Europa and PlusUltra, Turkish Airlines, and Venezuela’s LASER are continuing to operate flights for now. Copa Airlines Continues Flights to Venezuela, Despite Donald Trump’s Warning. Copa maintains flights to Venezuela but only during daylight hours due to the alert.
Why was it Left in Force in the Electoral Reform Commission? The ‘Escape Valve’ on Gender Parity
Gender parity in the Electoral Code was promoted in the 2021 reforms, following requests from civil society. The proposed amendment to article 373 of the ‘Electoral Code’, which was rejected, proposed the elimination of the so-called escape valve by including the text: “the position that does not meet the parity requirements will be rejected outright”.
