Friday, October 16, 2026.
Panama
Dear Friends, Colleagues, and Readers,
This week, we are setting aside our usual journey through international affairs to turn our attention to a country that is particularly close to our hearts: Panama, our home
The powerful earthquake that struck Panama on October 9, followed by numerous aftershocks, reminded us how quickly life can change. Within moments, families were separated, businesses evacuated, communities disrupted, and thousands of people found themselves facing uncertainty. For many, the experience did not end when the ground stopped shaking. The emotional impact, concerns about structural safety, and continuing reports of seismic activity have left understandable anxiety throughout the country.
Yet, amid the uncertainty, we have also witnessed something remarkable: the determination of the Panamanian people to look after one another.
Our emergency responders, police officers, firefighters, medical professionals, civil protection personnel, and countless volunteers have demonstrated the importance of service when it matters most. Neighbors have checked on neighbors, families have come together, and communities have extended helping hands to those facing hardship. Their efforts deserve our recognition, gratitude, and continued support.
Unfortunately, these difficult moments have also been accompanied by misinformation. Unverified reports of fatalities, missing persons, additional earthquakes, and impending disasters have circulated rapidly through social media and messaging platforms. At BM Investigations, where our profession is built upon the verification of facts, we believe that sharing accurate information is itself an act of responsibility. Speculation can create unnecessary fear, while reliable information allows individuals, families, and organizations to make informed decisions.
But Panama’s story this week is about more than an earthquake
It is about our communities, our institutions, our economy, our preparedness, and the collective responsibility we share for the country’s well-being. It is about recognizing where improvements are needed, acknowledging those who have stepped forward, and understanding that the strength of a nation is measured not only by its ability to withstand adversity, but by how its people respond afterward.
For this reason, this week’s newsletter will focus on Panama: the events shaping our country, the challenges confronting our communities, and the developments that deserve our attention
We encourage everyone, wherever possible, to extend a helping hand. Whether through donations, volunteering, supporting affected families, assisting a neighbor, or simply sharing verified information, every meaningful contribution matters.
Panama may be shaken, but it will not be brought down.
On behalf of the entire BM Investigations family, we extend our solidarity to everyone affected by recent events, our sincere appreciation to those working tirelessly to protect our communities, and our commitment to continue contributing to a safer, better-informed, and more resilient Panama.
May we emerge from these difficult days not merely relieved that the worst has passed, but more united, more prepared, and more committed to one another.
With respect and solidarity,
Brett Mikkelson
Founder, B.M. Investigations, Inc. – Private Investigations in Panama
Hospitals in Earthquake-Affected Areas in Panama Embrace International Assistance
The hospital in the small city of Chitré, which serves as the main referral center for the rural areas of Panama affected by the powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake, has welcomed the international humanitarian assistance received this week, primarily to care for pregnant women and newborns.
Medical staff are now working in air-conditioned tents, where they care for mothers who have recently given birth, holding their tiny babies in their arms or in incubators, after spending days providing care in makeshift tents under extreme heat and torrential rain.
The main medical assistance they have received has come from the Government of Costa Rica, which provided emergency healthcare personnel from its Social Security system, as well as two maternal and neonatal care modules and air-conditioned tents. The aid arrived the previous night in trucks that honked their horns and flew the Costa Rican flag, according to what EFE witnessed.
“Last night, we received two modular units for gynecology and obstetrics from the Government of Costa Rica. They are fully equipped with specialized personnel and equipment, with capacity for four adults and four newborns, which has been of great benefit. Yesterday, we already received the first baby,” Dr. Hilario Correa, regional director of the province of Herrera, one of the areas hardest hit by the strong tremor, told EFE on Thursday.
One of these fully equipped modular units, containing specialized medical equipment, has been transferred to the public hospital in Las Tablas, which also serves as a referral center for the rural areas most affected by the earthquake, the official explained.
From the hospital in Chitré, the doctor expressed his gratitude for the support received from the neighboring country, noting that due to the constant aftershocks—more than 500 since Friday—it is unsafe to keep pregnant women and babies inside the facilities in the event that a rapid evacuation becomes necessary.
“It has been extremely useful because it was what was needed at this time while the hospital’s infrastructure is being repaired,” the doctor said. The hospital has not suffered major structural damage, but cracks still need to be repaired as a precaution.
In addition to Costa Rican assistance, the U.S. Southern Command also installed large air-conditioned tents outside the hospital, as well as in remote areas, to provide patients with the best possible care. A specialized team also assessed the damage to the public medical center, according to Correa.
No More Newborns in the Barber Bus
During the first few days following the earthquake, Chitré Hospital accommodated three premature babies in a barber bus donated by a private individual, after strong aftershocks continued for the following 72 hours, making it impossible to safely access the hospital’s facilities.
The newborns have now moved from the barber shop mirrors to the gynecology and obstetrics modular units provided by Costa Rica, as well as to a designated area of the public hospital.
“The barber bus got us out of a difficult situation at the time because it was an air-conditioned space, and the newborns were the ones who initially needed to be in an appropriate area given the heat. The young man lent it to us free of charge. As soon as we were able to set up a more spacious area, we moved them there,” Correa said.
More International Support
So far, more than 13,000 people have been affected by the 7.7-magnitude earthquake that struck Panama on October 9, primarily in the country’s more rural central and southwestern provinces. There has been only one fatality: an elderly woman with diabetes who died of a heart attack several days after undergoing surgery for an abdominal perforation caused by a falling beam in her home during the earthquake.
The United States has been the main ally in mobilizing assistance to remote and isolated areas, as well as supplies to support those affected.
Costa Rica has provided medical assistance, while Venezuela sent 51 specialists this week to provide technical support following the earthquake, along with a shipment of humanitarian aid. Their efforts will focus on assessing and restoring affected schools, roads, churches, and heritage sites.
The total amount of humanitarian aid delivered to the affected areas—provided by both national and international donors—has now exceeded 465 tons, 145 of which were transported by air to the most remote areas.
According to the latest official report, 879 families across the country lost their homes in the earthquake, while nearly 1,000 others suffered damage to their residences. In addition, almost 3,700 people are currently staying in 45 shelters.
On the Azuero Peninsula, where the earthquake’s epicenter was located and where most of the subsequent aftershocks have occurred, many affected residents are still sleeping in makeshift tents outdoors, according to an EFE team on the ground. They are afraid to return to homes that remain standing while the ground continues to shake.
Earthquake in Panama: Approximately 38,000 People Need Humanitarian Assistance
The United Nations Has Mobilized Emergency Supplies and Supports Healthcare Efforts as Hundreds Remain Displaced, More Than 400 Schools Are Damaged, and Several Communities Remain Cut Off
Approximately 38,000 people, including 8,300 children and adolescents, are in need of humanitarian assistance following the 7.5-magnitude earthquake that struck Panama on Friday, according to UNICEF’s initial estimates.
The earthquake damaged more than 820 homes, forced hospitals to establish temporary spaces to continue treating patients, and left communities without water or electricity. Given the scale of the damage, United Nations agencies have mobilized supplies and technical assistance to support the response efforts of Panamanian authorities.
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) mobilized 16.8 tons of essential relief items from its emergency warehouse in Panama, including tents, blankets, mosquito nets, kitchen utensils, and a prefabricated shelter.
The Government of Panama declared a national state of emergency and authorized the use of up to $100 million to finance response and recovery efforts.
Hundreds of Families Displaced from Their Homes
According to the latest available data, more than 260 people remain in temporary shelters, while approximately 300 were evacuated from Isla Cañas following a rise in sea level after the earthquake. Although no deaths or missing persons have been reported, authorities have recorded 30 people injured.
Delivering assistance to the hardest-hit areas remains one of the main challenges. In Tonosí, near the earthquake’s epicenter, residents remain without water or electricity, while damage to roads and bridges has restricted access for light vehicles.
According to the latest report from the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), six communities in Los Santos and Herrera remained cut off. The closure of businesses and disruptions to ATMs also made it difficult to access food and other basic necessities, even for those who had the financial means to purchase them.
These difficulties are compounded by the threat of heavy rainfall, which could cause additional flooding and landslides in areas where the soil and structures have already been weakened. According to OCHA, the risk is of particular concern for families remaining in shelters or unable to return to their homes, as well as the possibility that further road closures could hinder the distribution of supplies.
To strengthen humanitarian operations, the World Food Programme (WFP) is working to establish three mobile storage units and is coordinating support to improve satellite communications in Tonosí.
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), meanwhile, activated its rapid assessment tool to identify recovery priorities in the affected areas.
Damaged Hospitals Force Medical Care to Be Moved to Tents
At least 29 healthcare facilities suffered damage, and several hospitals have had to move part of their services to tents and outdoor spaces while the safety of their buildings is assessed.
In Tonosí, the hospital sustained structural damage, including the destruction of its pharmacy area, and some patients had to be evacuated by air. At other facilities, damage affected pediatric and maternity services, while water shortages caused temporary disruptions to treatments such as hemodialysis.
To maintain healthcare services, UNICEF donated 16 tents to the Ministry of Health. Two have already been installed at San Miguel Arcángel Hospital in San Miguelito, while the remaining tents will be allocated to hospitals in Chiriquí, Herrera, and Los Santos.
The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) activated its emergency mechanisms and is supporting the coordination of medical teams, damage assessments, and the continuity of healthcare services. It also conducted a geospatial analysis to identify healthcare facilities most exposed to the earthquake and help guide inspections, while keeping its regional reserve of supplies and equipment ready for potential deployment.
More Than 400 Schools Damaged and Thousands of Children in Need of Assistance
The earthquake also damaged 419 educational facilities, some of which sustained serious damage to classrooms, roofs, and sanitary facilities. In Chiriquí, for example, three schools were destroyed.
Authorities suspended classes nationwide on Monday to inspect facilities and determine which schools can safely reopen.
UNICEF deployed emergency teams to Coclé, Veraguas, Herrera, and Los Santos to assess the needs of children, particularly regarding access to drinking water, educational continuity, and protection services.
Initial visits also identified emotional distress among children and adolescents, prompting the organization to prepare psychosocial support for families who remain displaced or have been unable to return to their homes.
Assessments are ongoing, particularly in hard-to-reach rural communities, where the full extent of the damage and the population’s needs are still unknown.
Panama Canal Increases to 33 Daily Transits Following Increased Rainfall Despite El Niño
The Panama Canal, Operational Since 1914 and Connecting the Atlantic and Pacific, Uses a Booking System to Manage Transit
The Panama Canal increased the number of daily transits through the interoceanic waterway to 33 on Thursday, one more than the previous limit—although the usual average is 36—following an improvement in rainfall levels after precipitation had declined due to the El Niño climate phenomenon, which led to transit restrictions several weeks ago.
The measure announced by the Canal to shipping companies on September 28 is now in effect.
Transit through the Neopanamax locks, the operational expansion that opened in June 2016 and accommodates vessels carrying more than three times the cargo capacity of the century-old Panamax locks, will return to its normal average of 10 daily transits after being reduced to nine beginning September 3.
A total of 23 vessels per day will continue to transit through the Panamax locks, three fewer than the normal average of 26, resulting in “a total of 33 daily transit slots, based on the current and projected level of Gatun Lake,” the main source of water for the navigable route. The other reservoir is Alhajuela Lake.
The Canal, the world’s only freshwater canal and a waterway through which between 3% and 5% of global trade passes, also increased the maximum allowable draft for vessels transiting the Neopanamax locks to 14.94 meters, or 49 feet, effective September 28.
Draft refers to the portion of a vessel that is submerged and is directly related to the amount of cargo the vessel carries.
“While the water deficit in the Canal Watershed continues, the Transit Booking System remains the only way to guarantee a transit date,” the Panama Canal Authority (ACP), which manages the waterway, stated.
The Panama Canal, operational since 1914 and connecting the Atlantic and Pacific, uses a booking system to manage vessel traffic.
As of Wednesday, 51 vessels were waiting to transit: 48 with reservations (38 Panamax and 10 Neopanamax) and three without reservations (one Neopanamax and two Panamax).
The interoceanic waterway is facing a new water crisis, as it had not reduced the number of transits or draft restrictions since 2023, when it also did so due to El Niño, reducing daily crossings to as few as 22 in November of that year.
The Panama Canal connects 180 maritime routes and 1,920 ports across 170 countries. It primarily serves the U.S. East Coast–Asia, U.S. East Coast–West Coast of South America, and Europe–West Coast of South America routes.
Its main customers are the United States, China, and Japan.
Google Activates Its Earthquake Alert System for Android Phones in Panama
The President of the Republic, José Raúl Mulino, announced this Thursday that Panama has joined the Android Earthquake Alerts System, a technological tool developed in cooperation with tech giant Google that can detect seismic activity and provide advance notifications to citizens before the arrival of the most destructive waves.
Through his account on the social media platform X, the president highlighted that this is a completely free service integrated into mobile devices running the Android operating system, designed to provide additional time for evacuation and shelter during geological emergencies.
“A tool that allows us to gain time during an earthquake, when every second counts to protect lives,” the head of state said while confirming the activation of this public safety mechanism.
The activation of the early warning network comes as the country continues to deal with the aftermath of the devastating earthquake recorded last Friday, October 9. The event, assigned a final magnitude of 7.7 by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), was located 10 kilometers from Pitaloza Arriba in Herrera Province and triggered multiple aftershocks of up to magnitude 6.0, keeping communities in the Azuero Peninsula, Veraguas, and the central provinces on edge.
According to an assessment by the National Civil Protection System (SINAPROC), the disaster has so far affected 13,623 people nationwide, with 3,696 displaced people housed in 45 temporary shelters, and one confirmed fatality reported by health authorities. Meanwhile, the education sector reports that more than 600 public schools have sustained varying degrees of structural damage that remain pending technical certification.
The integration into the digital alert platform complements the emergency economic measures approved by the Executive Branch to mitigate the crisis across the country. These measures include direct transfers of $10,000 to each Community Board and $20,000 to each Municipality, subject to oversight by the Office of the Comptroller General, while teams continue debris removal and the reconstruction of homes in critical areas of Chiriquí, Herrera, Los Santos, and the Ngäbe-Buglé Indigenous Region.
Fuel Prices to Increase in Panama Starting This Friday, October 16
The National Energy Secretariat announced that, starting this Friday, October 16, at 6:00 a.m., the price of diesel will increase, while gasoline prices will decrease.
The new maximum prices for fuel will remain in effect through October 30, 2026, when a new adjustment will be made.
Maximum Gasoline and Diesel Prices per Liter
Prices vary depending on the region of the country. The following are the announced maximum rates:
Panama City and Colón
- 95-octane gasoline: B/. 1.421
- 91-octane gasoline: B/. 1.279
- ULS diesel: B/. 1.516
Arraiján and La Chorrera
- 95-octane gasoline: B/. 1.424
- 91-octane gasoline: B/. 1.281
- ULS diesel: B/. 1.519
Antón
- 95-octane gasoline: B/. 1.427
- 91-octane gasoline: B/. 1.284
- ULS diesel: B/. 1.522
Penonomé
- 95-octane gasoline: B/. 1.429
- 91-octane gasoline: B/. 1.287
- ULS diesel: B/. 1.524
Aguadulce and Divisa
- 95-octane gasoline: B/. 1.429
- 91-octane gasoline: B/. 1.287
- ULS diesel: B/. 1.524
Chitré and Santiago
- 95-octane gasoline: B/. 1.434
- 91-octane gasoline: B/. 1.292
- ULS diesel: B/. 1.530
Las Tablas
- 95-octane gasoline: B/. 1.497
- 91-octane gasoline: B/. 1.294
- ULS diesel: B/. 1.532
David
- 95-octane gasoline: B/. 1.442
- 91-octane gasoline: B/. 1.300
- ULS diesel: B/. 1.537
Frontera and Boquete
- 95-octane gasoline: B/. 1.445
- 91-octane gasoline: B/. 1.302
- ULS diesel: B/. 1.540
Volcán
- 95-octane gasoline: B/. 1.448
- 91-octane gasoline: B/. 1.305
- ULS diesel: B/. 1.543
Cerro Punta
- 95-octane gasoline: B/. 1.450
- 91-octane gasoline: B/. 1.308
- ULS diesel: B/. 1.545
Puerto Armuelles
- 95-octane gasoline: B/. 1.453
- 91-octane gasoline: B/. 1.310
- ULS diesel: B/. 1.548
Changuinola
- 95-octane gasoline: B/. 1.471
- 91-octane gasoline: B/. 1.329
- ULS diesel: B/. 1.567
The agency reminded the public that fuel prices are updated every 14 days, taking into account logistical variables and international market factors.
Panama Attracts High-Value Tourists: IDB Invest Highlights Financing and Connectivity
Panama’s tourism sector is experiencing a period of expansion that combines record visitor numbers, infrastructure investment, and support programs for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). This was stated by Daniel Arévalo, Senior Investment Officer and Tourism Investment Coordinator at IDB Invest, during his participation in the second edition of the Tourism Training Forum, organized by Copa Airlines with the support of the Panama Tourism Authority (ATP).
Arévalo emphasized that Panama is not only attracting more tourists, but also visitors with greater purchasing power.
“Tourist arrivals from January through June are above 2 million, with average spending of more than $3,200 per visitor. This means that we are not only bringing in volume, but also value,” he said.
The main source markets are the United States (22%) and Colombia (14%), confirming the trend toward higher-quality tourism. For Arévalo, the challenge is for the country to compete through experiences and services rather than the number of arrivals.
The IDB representative also highlighted the impact of the recent earthquake in the country’s interior, where many of Panama’s natural and cultural attractions are concentrated.
“We have to reconnect affected destinations, such as Playa Venao, so that tourists can reach them easily. It is not about competing hotel against hotel, but about working together to position Panama as a regional destination,” he emphasized.
Financing for SMEs
One of IDB Invest’s main pillars is supporting SMEs, which are considered a driving force behind tourism diversification. Arévalo explained that the bank, together with the government, is promoting a $150 million guarantee fund, managed by Banco Nacional and channeled through local banks.
This program, active since 2026, aims to facilitate access to credit and strengthen companies’ ability to innovate and improve their competitiveness. “Tourism SMEs are included in this financing and have the opportunity to grow with institutional support,” he said.
In addition, IDB Invest is supporting a $100 million tourism infrastructure program that includes roads, sidewalks, governance, and training. These investments seek to improve the visitor experience and facilitate private investment in strategic destinations.
Record Figures
The ATP’s General Administrator, Gloria de León, complemented the IDB’s figures with updated data: through July 2026, Panama received 2,040,781 visitors, an 18.15% increase compared with the previous year, generating an economic impact of $4.449 billion.
De León emphasized that these figures should be viewed as opportunities for SMEs.
“That represents 2 million potential customers who need somewhere to stay, somewhere to eat, things to do, places to visit, and ways to get around.”
The ATP administrator highlighted the Panama Stopover program, which converted 206,700 visitors into actual tourists through September, as well as microtargeting campaigns, which attracted more than 10,000 tourists between January and July, generating $8 million.
She also highlighted the strategy of attracting congresses and conventions, with 177 events secured for this year, representing more than 200,000 additional visitors and an economic impact of nearly $196 million.
De León also revealed that the National Assembly is discussing a tourism incentives law aimed at attracting investment and generating employment in the country’s interior. She also announced the development of a comprehensive Country Brand strategy, which seeks to position Panama beyond advertising campaigns.
“A Country Brand reveals to the world what we have always been. It is not a logo or a slogan; it is the reputation of our country,” she stressed.
Connectivity and Training
Copa Airlines CEO Pedro Heilbron highlighted that the airline has played a key role in developing the Hub of the Americas, connecting Panama with more destinations and consolidating the country as a strategic point for international travelers.
“This year, we are increasing our flight and seat capacity by 15%, twice the rate at which other airlines in the region are growing, and in the coming years we will be receiving an average of 10 new aircraft per year,” Heilbron said.
Although each new aircraft represents more visitors and economic opportunities for communities connected to tourism, Heilbron warned that connectivity alone is not enough.
“We can bring in more visitors, but the experience depends on the work of thousands of people who welcome them, accommodate them, and showcase our attractions,” he emphasized.
