Newsroom Panama Quick Reads for January 13 & 14 of 2026
José Domingo Arias Declared that CD Received Money from Odebrecht Before his Candidacy
Former presidential candidate José Domingo Arias, who appeared on Tuesday for the second day of the Odebrecht case trial, denied receiving money from the Brazilian construction company and stated that the funds were given to the Democratic Change party before its participation in the 2014 electoral process.
The National Assembly Opens the Call for Applications to Elect the new Deputy Comptroller of the Republic
The announcement marks the beginning of the process to choose who will accompany the comptroller in overseeing the use of public funds and auditing the State.
The United States Deploys 50 Marines for Training with Panamanian Forces
Members of Panamanian security forces receive training from Southern Command.
Milagros’ Vigil: The Long and Arduous Wait for the Panamanian Sailor Detained in Venezuela
On January 6, before the UN Security Council, the Panamanian ambassador, Eloy Alfaro de Alba, called for the release of all political prisoners in Venezuela, including the Panamanian Olmedo Núñez. We are all still waiting and so are his family.
Odebrecht Case: The Trial Resumes and the Reading of the Indictment Progresses
Judicial Branch, January 13, 2026. Resumes Odebrecht trial.
Bombshell at the Social Security Administration! Prosecutor’s Office Raids the CSS (Social Security Fund) for Multi-Million Dollar Pension Fraud
Complaints reveal system manipulation, 52 irregular retirements, and losses exceeding $10 million. The director of the Social Security Fund (CSS) filed criminal complaints after uncovering a fraud scheme that resulted in the approval of 52 irregular pensions, with an impact exceeding $10 million. CSS investigated the approval of illegitimate pensions using data of deceased persons and manipulating systems, which led to criminal complaints.
