Panama Makes History…Again!; AIG to Contract Telecom Services with $39 Million Savings; Chiquita to Resume Production and Reach Full Exports in 2026; Luggage Tag-Swapping Network Operated in Tocumen.

Friday, November 21, 2025. Panama Makes History…Again! Panama is celebrating in a way only Panama can. With an impressive 3–0 victory over El Salvador, our selección has officially secured its place in next year’s World Cup, becoming the only Central American nation to advance. This triumph is more than a win on the pitch; it is a statement of identity, perseverance, and national pride. For a country of just over four million people, reaching the World Cup is not something inherited, it is earned with sweat, discipline, and a belief that anything is possible. Panama’s last appearance on the world stage was in 2018, a historic debut where the team learned, fought, and showed the world the unmistakable grit of the Panamanian athlete. That moment ignited a permanent flame in the hearts of fans nationwide. Today, that flame burns even brighter. This qualification is symbolic. It arrives during November’s mes de la patria, when Panamanians celebrate their independence from Colombia, their separation from Spain, and the stories that shaped this republic. The country is already covered in red, white, and blue, but now that flag flies even higher. You can feel the energy everywhere: This is the kind of joy that reminds us what Panama stands for: resilience, pride, and the unbreakable bond of its people. As we continue this month with parades, civic events, and national celebrations, the win against El Salvador has given the country a powerful emotional boost, a perfect opening to a month already filled with patriotism. In the days ahead, expect a Panama that celebrates louder, smiles wider, and walks with a little more swagger. Because qualifying for the World Cup, especially as the region’s sole representative, is a milestone that will echo long after the final whistle. Today, Panama doesn’t just advance in football. Panama advances in spirit.And the world will be watching and screaming when Panama scores their first goal. Brett Mikkelson Director, B.M. Investigations, Inc. – Private Investigations in Panama TOP NEWS and TIDBITS: Civil Aviation Authority to Purchase Land on Isla Colón for Expansion of the Local Airport The Cabinet Council has approved the Civil Aviation Authority (AAC) to purchase a property on Isla Colón, in the province of Bocas del Toro, for 6 million dollars, in order to move forward with the expansion of the local airport. The property, owned by Héctor Fitzgerald, covers an area of 13 hectares, 9,988.618 square meters, and 618 square decimeters (13 Has + 9,988.618 m²). With this acquisition, the AAC will be able to carry out adjustments and improvements to the airport facilities to expand operational capacity, allowing for a greater number of simultaneous operations. In addition, the aim is to increase passenger flow, ensure compliance with operational safety standards established under current regulations, and strengthen Isla Colón as a strategic tourist destination for Panama. READ ORIGINAL ARTICLE HERE Chiquita to Resume Production in January and Reach Full Export Capacity by Late 2026 The banana industry in Bocas del Toro is moving toward recovery. This Tuesday, President José Raúl Mulino held a meeting with the president of Chiquita Panamá, Carlos López Flores, to review the progress of the company’s farm reactivation process and agricultural operations, which have been halted since the illegal strike that occurred in early 2025. According to López Flores, Chiquita Panamá has already incorporated 2,000 workers under various hiring modalities to accelerate the cleaning and preparation of the farms. This week, the company will begin signing direct contracts with the goal of restarting banana production and exports in January 2026, and expanding its workforce to 5,000 employees by February of next year. The company president highlighted that the process is advancing even better than expected. “The plantation is in better condition than we estimated, and we expect to continue with the plan at a slightly faster pace,” he said. The projection is that between February and March 2026, production will reach full capacity. Additionally, by the end of that same year, banana exports—in both tons and boxes—are expected to return to pre-shutdown levels. The meeting also included the participation of the Minister of Commerce and Industries, Julio Moltó; the Minister of Labor and Workforce Development, Jackeline Muñoz; and Executive advisers. Both ministries have been supporting Chiquita at each stage of the process, in accordance with the Memorandum of Understanding signed between the Government and the company last August. Moltó emphasized that compliance with the memorandum has been key to advancing the recovery of the country’s main agricultural export product. Muñoz, for her part, noted that many of the new jobs are being filled by young people and women from the province. “President Mulino is 100% committed to the economic reactivation of Bocas del Toro,” she said. The company reiterated its confidence in Panama and expressed gratitude for the government’s support in restoring an operation that is strategic for the local economy, employment, and the country’s exports. READ ORIGINAL ARTICLE HERE No More Pennies in Panama: Banco Nacional Proposes Price Rounding to the Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF) The U.S. government’s decision to halt the production of one-cent coins has sparked an immediate debate in Panama, a country whose economy uses the U.S. dollar. In anticipation of the impact on daily transactions, the National Bank of Panama (BNP) has submitted a formal proposal to the Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF) to implement price rounding. The U.S. measure, driven by President Donald Trump, seeks to reduce the high production costs of the lowest-denomination coin, which exceed its actual value. The Dollar Effect in PanamaIn the United States, the measure aims to save the Treasury millions and modernize the monetary system. However, in Panama, where the dollar circulates alongside the balboa, the National Bank has moved quickly by proposing rounding to mitigate the shortage of one-cent coins and to establish a clear mechanism for cash transactions. Trump Justifies Public SavingsThe decision to eliminate the penny is based purely on economic criteria. U.S. economists have been pointing out for more than a decade that the coin is no