Global Trade Talks in Auckland: Panama’s trade delegation is in Auckland for the Future of Investment and Trade (FIT) Partnership meetings, with ministers from Chile, Costa Rica, Uruguay and Panama joining a wider group focused on cutting barriers and making cross-border rules easier for business. Immigration & Residency Interest: As Europe’s Golden Visa options narrow, more Americans are looking at Panama for real-estate-linked residence, with Panama’s migration service reporting hundreds of Qualified Investor permits processed and approved in 2025. Security Procurement Transparency: Panama’s Cabinet Council declared several multi-million-dollar security purchases confidential, including bodycams and digital systems, upgrades to the CON-C5 operations center, an immigration ID system, and a new police headquarters in Chitré. Anti-Fraud Crackdown: Panama prosecutors are tied to the fallout from the “Vacaciones en Nickelodeon” DGI e-tax fraud scheme, described as a network that manipulated tax records and credits. Environment & Hosting COP16: Panama was selected to host Ramsar COP16 in 2028, bringing together 170+ countries to focus on wetland conservation. Legal Pressure in Odebrecht Case: Panama’s courts again rejected former President Ricardo Martinelli’s attempts to halt proceedings in the Odebrecht bribery case.