Monday
Monday 30th June 2025.
June 29, 2025
The various teachers’ unions, united in the Teachers’ Action Front (FAM), the National Union of Educators of Panama (UNEP) and the Union of Educators for the Quality of Panamanian Education (UNECEP) , announced that they will remain on strike nationwide and that, starting on Monday, June 30, protests in the capital city will take place on the grounds of the National Assembly , in anticipation of the start of the new legislative period.
The teachers’ leaders “called on the public, parents, and organizations to provide moral, legal, and financial support, given that many teachers are not receiving salaries during the protest.” This situation arises from the decision by the Comptroller General of the Republic, Anel Flores, to suspend pay for those teachers who are not working in schools.
For the last half of June, the comptroller confirmed that the wage withholding will continue for approximately 7,500 educators who remain on strike.
The teachers’ unions announced in a press conference this Saturday, June 28, that in the coming days they will file appeals for protection and other legal actions against regulations they consider to violate the rule of law. At the same time, they called on the National Assembly to assume its role as constitutional guarantor.
The leader of the Panamanian Teachers Association, Fernando Ábrego , indicated that he will file an appeal against Executive Decree 17 of June 24 , 2025. This decree enables a special, temporary selection process that will allow the Ministry of Education (Meduca) to appoint interim teachers and professors immediately.
Ábrego pointed out that attempting to replace striking teachers constitutes a violation of the Organic Law of Education and the Constitution of the Republic.
The unions also announced the creation of a national legal coordination body, with teams of lawyers who will address cases of alleged persecution by the Ministry of Education (MEDUCA), which they claim is being carried out without due process. They assert that they will file criminal and civil charges against principals or any other official who violates teachers’ rights.
In turn, representatives of the teaching sector expressed their concern about the acts of repression by the security forces and blame the government for failing to promote dialogue. It should be noted that the unions and workers oppose Law 462, which reformed the country’s pension system.
For its part, the Ministry of Education (MEDUCA) maintains its position that teachers should return to the classroom, arguing that Panamanian students have the right to an education. It has also reported that Decree 17 will allow for short-term interim appointments and the assignment of teachers to schools where permanent staff remain on strike.
Panama has strict fiscal and financial regulations and should not be on discriminatory lists, said President José Raúl Mulino during his speech at the forum organized by the Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean (CAF) in Seville on Sunday, June 29.
“ Panama officially left the FATF list in October 2023, after implementing profound reforms against money laundering and terrorist financing. Furthermore, the European Commission recommended our removal from the list of high-risk jurisdictions for money laundering and terrorist financing. Keeping Panama on discriminatory lists contradicts these recognitions ,” Mulino told representatives of the European Commission, ministers from Latin American governments, and investment banks.
“We are more than just papers ,” Mulno emphasized at the meeting, which also included European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
He recalled that, in 2016, the so-called “Panama Papers” negatively affected the country’s reputation. However, he noted that, since then, regulations in the country have become much stricter.
He maintained that Panama has consolidated a robust framework for fiscal and financial transparency: it implemented the Registry of Beneficial Owners, has one of the most regulated banking systems in the region, and actively participates in international forums.
Panama’s entry into the OECD would strengthen its international image, remove it from the list of tax havens, and participate in global decisions on economic and social issues. It would also open up access to technical cooperation, statistics, and best practices from developed countries.
During a meeting held this Sunday in Seville, the President of Spain, Pedro Sánchez , expressed to the Panamanian President, José Raúl Mulino , the interest of Spanish companies in participating in key infrastructure projects for Panama , including the Panama-David-Frontera train, valued between $4,000 and $4,500 million dollars.
Sánchez emphasized that Spain is one of the countries with the most experience in railway construction worldwide, which supports the company’s desire to participate in the bidding process for the first section of the project, scheduled for the first quarter of 2026.
Mulino, for his part, invited Spain to support Panama’s proposal, emphasizing that “the world is beginning to strengthen our geographical position” in a changing geopolitical context.
The Spanish president also reiterated his country’s interest in the Panama Canal and the national port system, considering them key components of international trade.
Mulino explained that Panama continues to successfully manage the interoceanic waterway and is working on redefining its port strategy , highlighting the interest of major shipping companies in investing in Panamanian territory.
Environment Minister Juan Carlos Navarro inspected landfills in the Azuero region, finding alarming conditions that threaten the sustainability of the area, especially in Pedasí, Las Tablas, Guararé, and La Villa de Los Santos.
“The Pedasí and Guararé landfill is an unacceptable environmental disaster. We cannot continue operating open-air dumps in a region that, thanks to tourism, has generated thousands of jobs and opportunities,” Navarro said, emphasizing that the current situation endangers both human health and economic development.
According to the minister, it is urgent to implement a change in solid waste management in Azuero. “Miambiente, together with local and national authorities, is addressing this situation. What for decades has been a landscape of environmental neglect and anarchy is now beginning to be addressed with political will and active citizens,” Navarro stated, calling for immediate action to organize the waste collection and disposal system in the region.
The minister emphasized that “garbage cannot continue to dictate the pace of development, either in Azuero or in the rest of the country.” He also stressed that without a permanent and sustainable solution to waste management, the Guararé landfill and the rest of the region will continue to be an obstacle to progress. “This is an urgent and collective task,” he emphasized.
During his tour of the region, Navarro also denounced the situation at the open-air landfill in La Villa de Los Santos. “This landfill is polluting the Peñón de la Honda Wildlife Refuge, affecting its mangroves and endangering the Pacific Ocean,” explained the minister, who noted that this pollution jeopardizes the region’s tourism development and the health of nearby communities.
Navarro emphasized that the situation with the landfills in Azuero is part of a broader problem inherited by the government of President José Raúl Mulino.
“The current government will confront and resolve the environmental anarchy we have suffered. It will take time and resources, but we are already working on it, asking for citizens’ support to overcome this crisis,” Navarro concluded.
The Civil Aeronautical Authority (AAC) faced a setback this week in the Budget Committee of the National Assembly , after several deputies expressed doubts about the viability and appropriateness of an extraordinary loan of six million dollars, requested to expand the Captain José Ezequiel Hall International Airport, located on Isla Colón, in Bocas del Toro.
Given the questions surrounding the source of the funds, the lack of formal requests from airlines interested in operating with larger-capacity aircraft, and the history of airport investments with low profitability—such as the case of Río Hato— the AAC decided to temporarily withdraw the request, pending better technical and budgetary support.
The Budget Committee received a request for an extraordinary loan of $6 million for the purchase of a 13-hectare plot of land adjacent to the Isla Colón airport in the same province. According to AAC officials, the acquisition aims to allow for the future expansion of the runway, the terminal, and the construction of a new control tower.
Some MPs, such as independent Betserai Richards, expressed doubts about the appropriateness and priority of this investment, especially at a time when the institution’s other budgetary needs have not been met.
With an annual growth rate of 8% in passenger numbers, projections indicate that Tocumen International Airport will be serving more than 40 million travelers in 10 years.
Last year, Tocumen handled 19.2 million travelers, and based on the first five months of the year, it is estimated that by the end of 2025 it will surpass the 21 million mark.
Between January and May 2025, 8.3 million passengers used Tocumen Airport, representing a 7% increase compared to the same period last year. This increase equates to more than 557,000 additional passengers.
To address the growth projected for the coming years, the airport’s management, led by General Manager José Ruiz, expects to launch the bidding process in 2026 for the expansion of Terminal 2. Terminal 2 was fully operational with its 20 gates in June 2022, although it began to be used in early 2019.
Ruiz confirmed to La Prensa that the goal of the Terminal 2 expansion is to add between 10 and 12 new boarding gates, which would increase the number of piers to 66, not including the remote stations currently used by Tocumen during peak travel times.
Preliminary estimates indicate that Tocumen is investing more than $40 million in this expansion. When asked about the possibility of issuing new bonds to finance the construction of the additional gates, Ruiz assured that it would not be necessary, as the airport has its own funds to cover the costs of the work.
Carnival Cruises Line announced it will be hiring more than 25,000 positions for Panamanian talent.
This opportunity arose after meetings with Maritime Efficiency Group, a Panamanian firm specializing in maritime recruitment, with the goal of recruiting qualified personnel to cover various technical areas on board.
Captain Demóstenes Sánchez, spokesperson for Maritime Efficiency Group, explained earlier this month that the shipping company is seeking to fill positions for ordinary seamen, oilers, wipers, electricians, welders, refrigeration assistants, and environmental team members, among others.
“We currently have more than 60 young Panamanians on board who have completed the training process. The most important requirement remains English language proficiency, which is the biggest barrier we’ve identified,” Sánchez said. The representative emphasized that Panamanian talent stands out for its adaptability, teamwork skills, and strong technical training, although he emphasized the need to strengthen technical English skills.
Available positions :
- Ordinary Seaman. Machine Operator (Oiler). Maintenance and cleaning. Electrician. Welder. Refrigeration Assistant. Environmental team member. Among Others.
Main requirements : English language proficiency (main challenge identified). No age or profession limit
To apply for these positions, individuals can contact training@groupmare.com or call 6483 8654.