US President-elect Donald Trump has threatened to reclaim control of the Panama Canal, criticizing Panama’s toll fees as excessive and warning against alleged Chinese influence, despite China's lack of administrative control over the canal

A tsunami alert has remained in effect in Panama following a strong Pacific earthquake, with authorities monitoring expected wave heights along the Pacific coast during the morning hours

Panamá has intensified diplomatic and regulatory efforts to improve its international standing, as it has exited the EU's money laundering grey list but still seeks removal from tax and fisheries-related discriminatory lists

Panama has regained control of Bocas del Toro after violent protests over pension reforms led by banana workers resulted in one death, over 300 arrests, and major unrest, with officials linking the chaos to gang involvement and political agitation

Panama has been named in US military invasion plans, as Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has confirmed during a House hearing, amid echoes of Trump’s past expansionist ambitions; Greenland was also mentioned