News
Tuesday 24th June 2025.
June 23, 2025
The Comptroller General’s Office announced that it will endorse purchases for cafeteria operations and diploma paper at the University of Panama (UP), in anticipation of the resumption of in-person classes.
Comptroller General Anel Flores noted that this decision reflects the commitment to ensuring the timely, efficient, and transparent use of public resources, especially in key sectors such as higher education.
“The endorsement valve is open to the extent that the law is complied with. The University of Panama must be a national example of integrity, prestige, and institutional responsibility,” he stated.
Recently, a resolution signed by the comptroller modified the powers of endorsement over expenditures audited by officials assigned to the University of Panama.
Resolution No. 1510-DNFG, dated April 23, 2025, repealed a previous agreement—Resolution No. 345-DNFG, dated February 4 of the same year—that allowed audit coordinators and supervisors at the University of Panama to endorse purchases or expenses of up to $50,000. This means that, starting in April, all expenses must be approved by the National Directorate of General Audit, a central office of the Comptroller’s Office.
Flores also urged university authorities to be accountable on various issues that are causing concern among the public. Among them, he mentioned the deteriorating infrastructure, the alleged misuse of state property for purposes unrelated to education, and the existence of clientelist structures that influence the administration of the university budget.
The Comptroller’s Office also revealed that it is awaiting an official list of students who have been enrolled for more than a decade without earning a degree. According to the agency, some of them continue to enroll in courses solely to remain within the system and take advantage of resources that should be allocated to those who aspire to graduate and contribute professionally to the country.
Recently, the comptroller revealed to La Prensa that they have discovered troubling data. “There are 96,000 students, and we have found that more than 20,000 have been students for more than 15 years. People in their 50s and 60s who have never graduated from anything,” he noted. In his opinion, these people do not qualify as real students: “These are not students; they are criminals.”
Furthermore, Flores has referred to the “family clans” within the university. “The university has become a farm owned by someone or several [people]. There are several families who inherit positions and have all their relatives there: sons-in-law, daughters-in-law, sons, daughters. That can’t be,” he stated.
He also mentioned that audits are underway that could reveal irregularities in the use of public funds.
With the start of the second quarter of the 2023 school year on June 23, the Ministry of Education (Meduca) reiterated its call to teachers who have not yet returned to the classroom.
The agency assured that those who return to their duties starting today will not face administrative sanctions, as part of efforts to normalize the school calendar and guarantee the right to education for thousands of students.
The warning was reiterated by Education Minister Lucy Molinar and Deputy Minister Agnes De León , who warned that if a mass return to classrooms does not occur, the 2025 school year risks being lost.
“We are taking the step that many were worried about: whether they would be sanctioned upon returning. There is the statement signed by our Minister of Education, guaranteeing that anyone who returns to their position today will not face any consequences,” said Deputy Minister De León, emphasizing that this benefit is only in effect until Monday.
Although the Ministry of Education (MEDUCA) did not provide exact figures on the percentage of teachers reinstated, it indicated that regional offices are submitting daily reports. It was noted that attendance at the primary level is positive, while at the secondary level the situation is more uneven, with some schools where teachers have returned, but others still not teaching key subjects.
The Regional Directorate of Education in central Panama reported that schools remain open, although parents have expressed frustration over the absence of teachers at several schools.
At the National Institute, 50% of the teaching staff has returned to work, while the rest remain on an indefinite strike.
At the Instituto América, 80% of teachers have returned to classes, and only a small group of five students supports the strike being held by the remaining 20% of the teaching staff.
However, there are still schools where students attend, but there are no teachers in the classrooms. Given this situation, several parents have begun demanding that the Ministry of Education (Meduca) guarantee the normalization of educational services.
At the Pedro Pablo Sánchez school, parents expressed their displeasure because they had come with their children, but the teachers didn’t respond to Minister Molinar’s call.
The Ministry of Health (Minsa) had its district offices located in Plaza Changuinola, Bocas del Toro province, looted and vandalised, amid the unrest reported in the region.
Among the stolen items were telemedicine equipment, computers, furniture, televisions, medical supplies, and stationery. According to the agency, this equipment was essential for providing specialized care remotely, which now limits the ability to coordinate with doctors in Panama City and other regions of the country.
“This equipment specifically allowed us to streamline medical processes for patients with various illnesses or ailments, avoiding unnecessary and prolonged transfers,” the Ministry of Health said in a statement.
In addition to the material losses, the Ministry of Health confirmed that the regional health headquarters in Bocas del Toro also suffered damage to its infrastructure, including broken display cases and windows.
Health authorities described these acts as an attack on public health and filed the corresponding complaints with the Public Prosecutor’s Office, with the aim of initiating an investigation.
Despite the events, the Ministry of Health, in conjunction with the National Aeronaval Service (Senan) , has strengthened its efforts to maintain medical care in the province and reiterated its commitment to restoring affected services as quickly as possible.
the Public Force arrested 35 adults and one minor as part of an operation to regain control in the district of Changuinola, province of Bocas del Toro .
According to the official report, the arrests are part of Operation Omega , deployed to contain acts of vandalism and restore public order in the region.
During the raids, carried out in sectors such as Quadrant Finca 11, the informal settlement of Villa Verde and the community of Plaza Changuinola , authorities managed to recover numerous goods previously stolen from local businesses, including: televisions, mattresses, refrigerators, cell phones and other electronic items .
Since the start of Operation Omega on June 14, 192 people have been arrested , 90 of whom are suspected gang members captured in Changuinola. The rest were detained in the districts of Almirante and Chiriquí Grande.
Authorities reported that operations continue, including raids, arrests, clearing roads, and clearing debris , in a joint effort to restore peace to the province.
Operation Omega is a security operation activated by the Panamanian government in response to the protests that began on April 28 against Law 462 , which reforms the country’s retirement and pension system.
U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem begins a three-day trip to Panama, Costa Rica, Honduras, and Guatemala this Tuesday, June 4, during which she will strengthen ties with officials in those countries.
Her trip will begin in Panama, where he will hold a bilateral meeting this Tuesday with President José Raúl Mulino, Public Security Minister Frank Ábrego, and Foreign Minister Javier Martínez-Acha.
The DHS statement said Noem will also attend a repatriation flight and visit the U.S. Coast Guard cutter Escanaba.
From there, she will depart on Wednesday for Costa Rica and Honduras. In Costa Rica, she will meet with the head of government, Rodrigo Chaves, visit the Los Lagos detention center, and meet with representatives of the joint border security program.
In Honduras, she will also speak with President Xiomara Castro and Foreign Minister Javier Efraín Bú Soto, and will visit the Soto Cano Air Base to inspect the repatriation program’s operations.
The trip will conclude in Guatemala on Thursday, where she will meet with President Bernardo Arévalo and Interior Minister Francisco Jiménez, and will also review joint DHS programs at La Aurora Airport.
The most anticipated automotive fair in the interior of the country is coming to Veraguas! This June 27, 28, and 29, CeroKM’s EXPOSANTIAGO will be held at the modern facilities of the Santiago Mall , located on the Inter-American Highway. An event that has it all: cars, financing, music, family activities, and much more.
For three days, attendees will be able to learn about and compare the latest developments in the automotive world with the participation of renowned brands such as Ford (Distribuidora David), Chevrolet, Geely, Honda, Chery, GWM, Kia, and Changan .
Additionally, Lafise and BAC banks will be present , offering immediate approval so visitors can drive away with their new car.
The experience doesn’t end there. CeroKM’s EXPOSANTIAGO will also feature:
- A bazaar of entrepreneurs with local proposals.
- Activities for the whole family such as face painting and good music .
- Official delivery of Gordon Basket team uniforms .
- A day of solidarity with the Donavida campaign , promoting blood donation.
- And as a grand finale, on Sunday the 29th , the renowned Lachy Quintana will get everyone moving with his Fitness Marathon .
“Veraguas, get ready! Come and experience an energetic experience, unique offerings, and entertainment for the whole family,” said the organizers of CeroKM.
The event is completely free and suitable for all ages.