Panamá; JPMorgan Includes Cobre Panamá Reopening in 2027 Outlook; Panama’s Economy Grows 4.8% in Q1 2026; Panama Hosts OAS Assembly and 92 International Delegations.

Friday, June 19, 2026. Panamá Last night, our national football team took the field wearing the colors of our country and carrying the hopes of millions of Panamanians. Regardless of the final score, our players represented Panama with pride, determination, and heart. For a nation of just over four million people, competing on the international stage is never something we take for granted. Every match serves as a reminder of how far Panama has come and how much can be accomplished through hard work, discipline, and perseverance. That same spirit can be found far beyond the football field. Panama continues to play an increasingly important role in the region and around the world. As a center for commerce, logistics, finance, and transportation, our country remains a vital link connecting continents, economies, and cultures. The Panama Canal continues to serve as one of the world’s most strategic trade routes, while new investments and infrastructure projects help position the country for future growth. Of course, Panama is not without its challenges. Public debate surrounding economic issues, governance, security, and national development continues to shape the country’s future. These conversations are important, and they reflect a nation that is actively engaged in defining what comes next. While opinions may differ, the shared goal remains the same: a stronger, safer, and more prosperous Panama for future generations. In this week’s edition, we take a closer look at several of the issues and opportunities currently shaping our country. From developments affecting business and investment to matters of public interest and national importance, we hope to provide insights that help our readers better understand the changing landscape around us. Above all, this week is a celebration of Panama itself—a nation that continues to demonstrate resilience, ambition, and an unwavering ability to move forward. Whether in sports, business, public service, or entrepreneurship, Panama’s greatest strength has always been its people.  ¡Que viva Panamá! Brett Mikkelson Fundador, B.M. Investigations, Inc. – Private Investigations in Panama TOP NEWS and TIDBITS: How Can We Understand Panama’s Most Painful World Cup Defeat? The Red Team had more possession, controlled long stretches of the match, and came close to earning a result, but ultimately paid the price for the small details that often make all the difference. For 94 minutes, Panama was on its way to a historic result. In the end, it walked away empty-handed. The 1–0 defeat to Ghana in its World Cup debut left a strange feeling. On one hand, Thomas Christiansen’s side proved that it belongs on this stage, that it can compete toe-to-toe with quality opponents, and that it did not come to Canada merely to participate. On the other hand, it once again encountered a reality that has followed the Panamanian national team since Russia 2018: World Cups do not forgive mistakes. The final statistics reflect part of what happened. Panama finished with 68% possession compared to Ghana’s 32%. For much of the match, it was the team dictating play, building from the back, attempting to create opportunities, and constantly looking to stretch the field through the wings. However, having more possession does not always mean controlling a game. Ghana accepted a secondary role for much of the contest. Organized and disciplined, it closed down central spaces and relied on a much simpler formula: recover the ball and attack quickly in transition. That strategy ultimately decided the match when the clock had already entered stoppage time. And that raises one of the biggest questions from the night in Toronto. With a draw seemingly secured and Panama’s first-ever World Cup point within reach, Panama chose to keep pushing for victory. The team did not abandon its attacking approach, continued to push its lines forward, and kept players ahead of the ball. The ambition was admirable. The outcome was devastating. On a rapid transition, Ghana found the spaces it had been waiting for throughout the match. Caleb Yirenkyi capitalized on a lethal counterattack and silenced the Panamanian supporters in the 95th minute. The play left many with the feeling that Panama was punished precisely for trying to win. Another factor that proved more significant than expected was the departure of Adalberto Carrasquilla. “Coco” returned after weeks of physical uncertainty, and while he was on the field, he provided composure, vision, and clarity in possession. Once he left the match, Panama maintained control of the ball but lost some of its attacking sharpness. The team continued to dominate possession, yet it became increasingly difficult to find routes into the opposing penalty area. The substitutions also failed to produce the desired impact. While Ghana found solutions from the bench, Panama appeared to lose some of its competitive edge. The African side’s substitutes brought speed, energy, and aggression for the final stretch. On the other side, Panama’s changes were unable to maintain the intensity or address the defensive transition issues that were beginning to emerge. Perhaps that is where another explanation lies. This was only Panama’s fourth World Cup match in its entire history. Four matches. Four defeats. It is a harsh statistic, but it also helps explain part of the context. While teams like Ghana have accumulated decades of experience competing on this stage, Panama is still building its World Cup pedigree. These are matches that demand absolute concentration for 90 minutes, where a single decision, substitution, or poorly defended transition can ultimately determine everything. That is why this defeat hurts so much. Because this time Panama was not comprehensively outplayed. It was not a night like those against Belgium or England in Russia 2018. This time, Panama competed, challenged its opponent, showed personality, and came within seconds of earning the first World Cup point in its history. That is precisely why the blow is so difficult to digest. The good news for Christiansen is that his team showed enough quality to compete in Group L. The bad news is that the margin for error has virtually disappeared. Now Panama must recover quickly. The next challenge will be Croatia,