AGP Executive Report

Children After the Quake: On Panama’s Children’s Day, Archbishop José Domingo Ulloa called for emotional and psychological care for children affected by the earthquake, alongside rebuilding homes and schools. Disaster Recovery: President José Raúl Mulino says families will receive new homes; construction has begun on 20 of 154 houses planned in Llano Grande, Veraguas. Dancehall Roots: Jamaican star Mr. Vegas is heading to Panama after two shows in Costa Rica. His regional tour follows a musical path shaped by Caribbean heritage and Panama’s reggae en español roots. Cultural Calendar: La Pintada’s Painted Hat Festival is set for Dec. 4–6. Coffee Culture: World of Coffee is scheduled to return to Panama in 2029, spotlighting the country’s place in the global specialty-coffee scene. Shared Heritage: A project linking Puerto Rican bomba and Panamanian culture is making the case for an annual festival celebrating their common roots.

Rebuilding at Home: President José Raúl Mulino says families displaced by the earthquake in Veraguas and Herrera will receive homes; construction has begun on the first phase of 2,700 houses. Retiree Benefits: A bill expanding discounts on medicines, health care and other essentials passed its final debate and now awaits the president’s decision. Metro Etiquette: Panama Metro fines for rule-breaking range from $100 to $3,000, with penalties for offenses including littering, fare evasion and playing audio without headphones. Living Heritage: La Pintada’s Painted Hat Festival is set for December 4–6. A separate initiative is exploring an annual festival celebrating bomba, a shared Puerto Rican and Panamanian heritage. Indigenous Rights: Cultural Survival is calling on Panama to provide reparations to Ngäbe communities affected by the Chan-75 dam, nearly 20 years after the project’s impacts. Panamanian Coffee: World of Coffee is set to return to Panama in 2029, spotlighting the country’s specialty producers.

Earthquake Recovery: After a magnitude 5.9 quake shook Panama on Oct. 31, Mulino toured home construction in Veraguas, where 20 of 154 planned homes are underway for families affected by an earlier earthquake. The latest tremor also prompted Metro evacuations; Android alerts had sounded shortly before shaking was felt. Metro Culture: Transit violations can bring fines of $100 to $3,000, with rules covering littering, loud audio, fare evasion and safety breaches. Retiree Benefits: A bill expanding discounts on medicines, health care and mobility equipment passed its third debate and now awaits the president’s decision. Environmental Advocacy: At a hearing in Panama, defenders from six countries described alleged harm linked to Canadian mining companies and urged Canada to require stronger human-rights and environmental safeguards. Panamanian Coffee: A rare Geisha lot from Chiriquí’s Finca Sophia is fetching attention in New York, where one café is offering cups for about $200 after buying the coffee at auction for $44,275. Cultural Calendar: La Pintada’s Painted Hat Festival is set for Dec. 4–6.

Nature & Conservation: Nearly 200 countries approved new agreements at COP17 to revive 2030 biodiversity goals, but key targets remain far behind and funding is still inadequate. Panama’s environment minister took part in calls for stronger follow-through. Coffee Culture: A rare Geisha coffee from Panama’s Finca Sophia, bought at auction for $44,275, is being served at a New York café for about $200 a cup—spotlighting the country’s prized coffee. Living Heritage: La Pintada’s Painted Hat Festival is scheduled for Dec. 4–6. In Colón, young people have also brought Fort San Lorenzo to life as a stage for local history.

Panamanian Coffee: A rare Geisha from Chiriquí’s Finca Sophia is drawing attention at a New York café, where a cup costs about $200 after the coffee fetched $44,275 at auction. Travel: National Geographic-Lindblad’s 2028–29 plans include a new 15-day expedition linking Costa Rica and Panama, with rainforest and Pearl Islands stops. Living Heritage: La Pintada’s Painted Hat Festival is rescheduled for December 4–6 as a solidarity edition supporting artisans and communities recovering from the earthquake. Indigenous Affairs: Guna Yala and Wargandí have approved consultation steps for the proposed Panama-Colombia power link; approval from Alto Bayano is still pending.

Cultural Heritage: La Pintada’s National Painted Hat Festival has been rescheduled for Dec. 4–6. The 14th edition will support local artisans and communities recovering from the October earthquake, celebrating the UNESCO-recognized craft alongside folk music, dance and traditional dress. Indigenous Communities: Guna authorities in Wargandí and Guna Yala have agreed to advance consultation on the proposed $800 million Panama–Colombia electricity link. Consent from Alto Bayano’s collective land is still pending. Shared Traditions: A bomba workshop at Ciudad de las Artes brought Puerto Rican musicians and Panamanian audiences together to explore their African-rooted musical heritage. Organizers hope to build on the exchange with an annual cultural festival in Panama.

Living Heritage: La Pintada’s National Painted Hat Festival has been rescheduled for Dec. 4–6. The solidarity edition will celebrate UNESCO-recognized hatmaking and support artisans and communities recovering from the October earthquake. Indigenous Consent: Guna Yala and Wargandí have approved consultation for the proposed Panama-Colombia power link; an agreement with Alto Bayano is still needed. Shared Rhythms: A bomba workshop in Panama City brought Puerto Rican and Panamanian musicians together, inspiring a proposal for an annual festival celebrating their shared African heritage. Coffee Culture: Panama hosted the World of Coffee specialty gathering, with the event set to return in 2029. History and Justice: Young people from Colón turned Fort San Lorenzo into a living-history stage, while Ngäbe communities renewed calls for reparations over the CHAN-75 dam’s lasting impact.

Indigenous Rights: Cultural Survival is calling on Panama to provide reparations to Ngäbe communities affected by the CHAN-75 dam, nearly 20 years after the project displaced them. Coffee Culture: Panama hosted a global specialty-coffee gathering, spotlighting local producers; World of Coffee is set to return in 2029. Living Heritage: Young people from Colón turned Fort San Lorenzo into a stage for local history. Youth Sports: Chiriquí’s National Police Baseball School claimed its third straight titles in two youth divisions.

Youth Sports: Chiriquí’s National Police Baseball School won the Williamsport pre-junior and junior titles for a third consecutive year, with players also taking several individual honors. Indigenous Rights: Cultural Survival is calling on Panama to provide reparations to Ngäbe communities affected by the Chan-75 dam, nearly 20 years after the project’s impact. Health & Inclusion: Panamanian psoriasis advocate Daniela Chapman shared her experience of school stigma as a global campaign urges greater understanding of young people living with the condition. Living Heritage: Young people from Colón turned Fort San Lorenzo into a “living history stage,” connecting local communities with Panama’s past. Coffee Culture: Panama’s specialty-coffee community is looking ahead to World of Coffee’s return in 2029, spotlighting the country’s producers on the global stage.

Youth Sports: Chiriquí’s National Police Baseball School swept the pre-junior and junior titles in David, with both teams claiming their third straight championships. Health & Inclusion: Panamanian psoriasis advocate Daniela Chapman is sharing how stigma shaped her school years as a global campaign urges people to look beyond the skin condition. Community Health: A U.S. Army medical team and Panamanian colleagues performed more than 100 cataract surgeries at Hospital San Miguel Arcángel, helping patients regain sight. Indigenous Rights: Cultural Survival is calling on Panama to provide reparations to Ngäbe communities affected by the CHAN-75 dam, nearly two decades after the harm. Living History: Young people from Colón turned Fort San Lorenzo into a stage for local history. Coffee Culture: Panama hosted a global specialty-coffee gathering as World of Coffee opened, putting the country’s producers in the international spotlight.

Youth & Sport: Panama’s National Sports Talent Project has advanced to a second group of 75 young athletes, selected from more than 1,200 hopefuls. The country’s U-17 team will open its World Cup campaign against Qatar on Nov. 19. Development & Environment: Panama’s Supreme Court has upheld the environmental approval for the proposed Puerto Barú port in Chiriquí. Local environmental groups warn that dredging for its navigation channel could harm nearby mangroves. Indigenous Rights: Ngäbe communities are renewing calls for reparations nearly 20 years after the CHAN-75 dam project displaced families and damaged ancestral lands and livelihoods, according to a new Cultural Survival report. Coffee & Culture: World of Coffee wrapped up in Panama on Oct. 25, bringing together more than 300 exhibitors. The specialty-coffee gathering is set to return in 2029. Living Heritage: Young people from Colón turned Fort San Lorenzo into a stage for local history.

Coffee Spotlight: World of Coffee will return to Panama in 2029 after drawing producers, buyers and roasters to the country’s 2026 gathering. The event showcased Panamanian specialty coffee beyond Geisha, including the range of local varieties and processing methods. Indigenous Rights: Ngäbe communities are renewing calls for justice and comprehensive reparations nearly 20 years after the CHAN-75 dam project began without their consent. A new report and campaign highlight displacement, damage to ancestral lands and reported repression of protests. Living History: Young people from Colón turned Fort San Lorenzo into a stage for local history, while Meduca confirmed that November 3 and 4 parades will go ahead. Wildlife Research: A study of Panamanian greater spear-nosed bats highlights their varied diet and complex social lives, offering insights that could help guide conservation.

Indigenous Rights: Nearly 20 years after the CHAN-75 dam project began without their consent, Ngäbe communities in Bocas del Toro are seeking reparations for displacement, lost ancestral lands and damaged livelihoods. Cultural Survival has released a report and launched a campaign calling on Panama to act. Panamanian Coffee: World of Coffee will return to Panama in 2029 after this year’s event drew more than 300 exhibitors to the country. Organizers say the gathering spotlights Geisha and the wider diversity of local specialty coffee. Literature: The 2026 Ricardo Miró literary awards named five winners across Panama’s genres. Living History: Young people from Colón turned Fort San Lorenzo into a stage for local history. Indigenous Priorities: Indigenous leaders put land, collective titling and climate action at the center of a national congress.

Youth Football: Tickets are on sale for the FIFA U-17 World Cup in Qatar, where Panama opens against the hosts on November 19; matchday passes also include cultural and entertainment events. Community Activism: A motorcade in Panama called for an end to the U.S. blockade of Cuba, with solidarity groups, students, unions and Indigenous groups taking part. Living Heritage: Young people from Colón turned Fort San Lorenzo into a stage for local history. Literature: The Ricardo Miró 2026 awards named five winners across Panama’s literary genres. Coffee & Travel: World of Coffee Panama put the country’s specialty-coffee scene in the global spotlight, while Pedasí and Tonosí drew attention as small-town travel destinations. National Celebrations: Panama’s November 3 and 4 parades are set to go ahead.

Coffee & Culture: Panama hosted a global specialty-coffee gathering, putting the country’s celebrated producers and coffee scene in the international spotlight. Heritage in Performance: Young people from Colón are bringing Fort San Lorenzo to life with Tambores del Castillo, an immersive mix of theater, music and local history that also builds skills in the creative industries. Panamanian Literature: The 2026 Ricardo Miró awards named five winners across the country’s literary genres. Travel: Pedasí and Tonosí are drawing attention as small-town destinations that deserve a place on Panama itineraries. National Celebrations: Meduca confirmed that November 3 and 4 parades will go ahead. Earthquake Recovery: In Azuero, 60 damaged homes had begun construction by October 23, while about 1,300 more were assigned to contractors; debris clearing remains a hurdle for families waiting to return home.

Living Heritage: Young people from Colón are turning Fort San Lorenzo into an open-air stage with Tambores del Castillo, a two-and-a-half-hour journey of theater, music and history. The project trains local youth for work in culture and tourism. Coffee Culture: World of Coffee Panama runs through Sunday at the Panama Convention Center, pairing tastings, training and trade with the World Barista Championship and a spotlight on the country’s coffee producers. Literature: The Ricardo Miró 2026 awards have named five winners across Panama’s literary genres, celebrating local writers and their work. Heritage and Travel: Several heritage sites remain under safety inspections after the earthquake, while a new travel feature points visitors toward Pedasí and Tonosí and the appeal of Panama’s small towns.