AGP Executive Report

Ghana World Cup Build-Up: The Black Stars left Cardiff for the United States after their 1-1 warm-up draw with Wales, with Caleb Yirenkyi scoring and Lewis Koumas equalising late. Coach Carlos Queiroz now shifts focus to cohesion and tactics ahead of Ghana’s Group L opener vs Panama on June 17, followed by England (June 23) and Croatia (June 27). Local Football Spotlight: Players and pundits are already debating who starts—Jerome Opoku called the result “something to build on,” while Augustine Arhinful criticised goalkeeper Benjamin Asare’s communication on crosses and urged Thomas Partey to get sharper. Public Health Watch: PAHO warned that measles is surging across the Americas, with Panama among countries reporting infections, raising concerns as World Cup travel ramps up. UN Diplomacy: Austria, Kyrgyzstan, Portugal, Trinidad and Tobago and Zimbabwe were elected to the UN Security Council for 2027-28; Germany missed out. Regional Security: Cyber groups linked to China have targeted government entities in Panama and Venezuela, according to ESET.

World Cup Build-Up (Ghana): Ghana’s Black Stars opened their Carlos Queiroz era with a 1-1 friendly draw against Wales in Cardiff. Caleb Yirenkyi scored after the break, but Lewis Koumas equalized in stoppage time, leaving Ghana focused on their Group L goal: reach the knockout stage. Local Sports (Panama): Panama’s World Cup presence stays in the spotlight as the schedule and matchups keep rolling out, including a free-to-air viewing list that features “Panama vs Croatia.” Public Health (Americas): PAHO warns measles cases are rising across the Americas ahead of the World Cup, urging countries like Panama to strengthen surveillance and vaccination. Aviation & Tourism (Panama): Copa Airlines restarted flights between Panama and Barcelona with three weekly frequencies, boosting connectivity via Tocumen. Maritime/Logistics: A massive U.S. Navy crane is being shipped to Hawaii and will transit the Panama Canal as part of a major shipyard upgrade. Sports Business (Panama-linked): A report also flags Panama’s role in the “Isaac Accords,” with Israel’s finance minister describing new investment funds involving the IDB.

Tax Reform: Panama passed Ley 641, a 15% levy on multinationals that can’t prove real economic activity in-country, aiming to satisfy EU “economic substance” demands while keeping territorial tax exemptions for firms with genuine staff, offices, and decision-making in Panama. Maritime & Canal: President José Raúl Mulino opened Posidonia 2026 with Greece’s PM and backed Panama’s ship registry and logistics ties; the Panama Canal Authority also ordered 10 more hybrid harbour tugs from Spain’s Armon Shipyard to boost daily maneuvering capacity and cut emissions. Public Safety: La Joyita prison saw a mass escape during inmate redistribution, leaving two dead and multiple injured, with authorities launching a large recapture operation. Education Procurement: Meduca is trying again to award a $268.5M laptop purchase for public schools, with two companies in the running. World Cup (Panama link): FIFA released all 48 squads and 1,248 players; Panama is in Group L and faces Ghana, England, and Croatia, with the tournament starting June 11.

World Cup Focus (Ghana): Ghana coach Carlos Queiroz has confirmed his final 26-man squad for the 2026 World Cup, with the Black Stars drawn in Group L alongside England, Croatia and Panama. Controversy & Selection: The big talking point is Thomas Partey, named despite rape and sexual assault charges in the UK; Queiroz says the presumption of innocence applies. Final Preparations: Ghana’s warm-up continues in Wales ahead of their opener against Panama on June 17, with Jordan Ayew urging fans to stay patient and confident. Squad Notes: Mohammed Kudus and Alexander Djiku are out through injury, while Solomon Agbasi is added as an emergency goalkeeper option. Local Sports Angle (Panama link): Panama-born reliever Justin Lawrence was traded to the Minnesota Twins, a reminder of the country’s growing footprint abroad. Climate Watch: The UN’s WMO warns El Niño conditions could develop before late August, bringing drought risk to parts of Africa and heavy rain elsewhere.

World Cup Send-Off: Brazil crushed Panama 6-2 at the Maracanã in Rio, with Vinícius Jr scoring early and Casemiro adding a header before the hosts pulled away after halftime; Panama got a late consolation as the match served as a sharp tune-up for Group L. Ghana Injury Update: Black Stars coach Carlos Queiroz confirmed Alexander Djiku is ruled out of the 2026 World Cup, with Derrick Luckassen called up as Ghana reshuffles its back line ahead of the Wales friendly. Ghana vs Wales Build-Up: Queiroz said Ghana want to play “great football” and win against Wales on Tuesday, while Ghana’s camp continues final checks before the tournament opener versus Panama. World Cup Squads Tracker: FIFA’s final 26-man lists are due June 1 and announced June 2, and Group L includes England, Croatia, Ghana and Panama. Maritime Security (Panama-flagged ship): A Panama-flagged MSC Sariska V was struck by an unknown projectile near Umm Qasr, Iraq, triggering a large explosion; reports conflict on whether it was an attack or a mechanical issue, and investigations are ongoing. Hurricane Season Watch: Miami officials are warning World Cup visitors as the Atlantic hurricane season begins June 1, with games across Florida including Miami.

World Cup Warm-Up Shock (Panama): Brazil crushed Panama 6-2 at the Maracanã in a key pre-World Cup friendly, with Vinícius Júnior scoring early and Casemiro adding before halftime; Brazil then piled on four more after the break while Panama got a late consolation from Carlos Harvey. Ghana World Cup Focus (Group L): Ghana’s Brandon Thomas-Asante says the Black Stars are determined to make Ghanaians proud and push beyond the group stage, with the team drawn alongside Panama, England and Croatia. Squad Deadline Looms (Ghana): Coach Carlos Queiroz is set to name Ghana’s final 26-man squad after a 28-player camp in Cardiff, with a friendly against Wales on June 2 and a final tune-up vs Jamaica on June 10. Sports Funding & Player Pay (Ghana): Sports Minister Kofi Adams says each Black Stars player will receive a $100,000 appearance fee, while a GH¢150 million World Cup budget is still awaiting Finance Ministry release. Travel Plan Rejected (Ghana): President John Dramani Mahama ruled out government-funded mass fan travel, citing an estimated ~$11,000 per supporter and instead plans to buy and distribute tickets through diaspora groups.

Panama’s Tax Crackdown on Shell Companies: Panama approved Law 526, tightening its Tax Code with an “economic substance” requirement so multinationals must show real activity in-country or face a 15% tax—part of a push to stop Panama being used as a shell haven. Canal & China Tensions: President José Raúl Mulino said Panama is still seeking to renew its maritime agreement with China, even as U.S. pressure around the Panama Canal grows and concerns rise over stricter inspections for Panamanian vessels. Canal Port Fight Escalates: CK Hutchison warned of legal action after Panama’s Supreme Court invalidated its port contract, with APM Terminals set to temporarily run Balboa and Cristobal—setting up a new dispute over damages and control. Cyber Defense Overhaul: Panama’s Ministry of Security is promoting cyber defense reforms that expand beyond traditional security into governance, oversight, and control for strategic sectors like energy, health, telecoms, finance, transport, water, food, and submarine cables. Sports (Panama in the spotlight): Panama will face Brazil in a World Cup warm-up at the Maracanã, with Neymar’s calf recovery in focus for Brazil ahead of the tournament.

Canal Watch: Panama extended the deadline for firms to pre-qualify for the Canal’s Corozal and Telfers Island port concessions plus a gas pipeline, citing clarifications and the need for more time to submit a “robust proposal.” Energy & Security: A mine-related generation loss triggered an outage affecting about 169,000 Panama customers, while INTERPOL-backed “Orca XI” seized 3,308 illegal firearms and 56 tonnes of drugs across 20 countries. Infrastructure: Specialists outlined medium- and long-term repairs for the Old Bridge of the Americas, including replacing rivets and the road deck after the April 6 fire. Sports (Panama-linked): Neymar’s World Cup status remains under scrutiny, but Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti says he’s expected to be ready for the opener or the second match; Brazil will face Panama in a friendly at the Maracanã. Travel: Puerto Plata announced 40 June flights from 7 airlines, including routes to Panama.

Panama Health Upgrade: The Social Security Fund (CSS) says surgeons at the City of Health completed Panama’s first robotic-assisted gastric bypass, using a robotic platform to cut bleeding and speed recovery, with plans to expand robotic telesurgery to reach patients nationwide. Panama Economy & Tourism: Panama’s tourism foreign-exchange earnings hit $6.583 billion in 2025, up from $4.6155 billion in 2018, while international arrivals rose to 3.004 million (+8.2%) and 2026’s first-quarter visitor count reached 999,934. Regional Security Watch: Ukraine-linked reporting says Russian drones struck foreign-flagged ships in the Black Sea export corridor, including a vessel sailing under the Panama flag, underscoring ongoing risks for maritime trade routes. World Cup Group L Focus (Panama): England’s Bukayo Saka backed the Three Lions to end their World Cup wait; England’s Group L rivals include Panama, with the tournament starting June 11 and England opening against Croatia on June 17.

Tourism & Economy: Panama’s tourism hit a record $6.583B in foreign exchange earnings in 2025, up from $4.615B in 2018, with 3.0M international visitors (+8.2% vs 2024) and strong momentum into early 2026. Water & Daily Life: Old Town residents and businesses in San Felipe say months of low water pressure and irregular potable water supply are concentrated on specific streets, with complaints to IDAAN and the 311 hotline not bringing fixes. Housing Finance: Panama’s approval of new preferential mortgage loans fell 34%, as reforms to preferential interest rates and the removal of tax incentives for new housing cool lending. Banking Oversight: Panama’s banking regulator says banks have a real presence here, defending the sector against “shell” claims and pointing to the new economic substance rules. Legal/Anti-Corruption: The prosecutor is investigating assets tied to 13 people and 12 companies in the Public Registry as part of the Unachi case. Archaeology: Green stones from Panama’s El Caño and Sitio Conte tombs have been confirmed as Colombian emeralds from trade routes over 700 km. Sports (Panama-linked): Panama is in Ghana’s World Cup Group L, and Ghana’s camp in Cardiff continues with new arrivals ahead of friendlies.

World Cup & Sports: Neymar’s World Cup status is in serious doubt after Brazil confirmed a grade-two calf strain that could keep him out for two to three weeks, meaning he will miss friendlies vs Panama and Egypt and is “highly unlikely” to be ready for the June 13 opener vs Morocco. Maritime Security: Ukraine says Russian drones hit three foreign-flagged merchant vessels in the Black Sea export corridor, including ships under Panama’s flag, raising fresh concerns for international shipping safety. Panama-Linked Infrastructure: Metro says it will review the financial viability of the Panama and San Miguelito cable car project after no bids were received. Ports & Industry: A new focus on industrial reliability highlights how maintenance and equipment performance affect Panama’s ports, energy projects, and heavy industry. Tourism Outlook: WTTC forecasts Central and South America travel and tourism growth will outpace the global average in 2026, with Panama’s region benefiting from resilient demand. Local Crime: Panama police arrested three people tied to a sexual extortion network that allegedly used online dating apps to lure victims. U.S.-Iran Sanctions With Panama Assets: The U.S. imposed fresh sanctions on Iran’s military-linked oil trade, including a Panama-flagged tanker.

Canal Diplomacy: President José Raúl Mulino says Panama is pushing to renew its maritime shipping deal with China, aiming to sidestep U.S.-driven pressure as tighter controls follow a Canal-port concession cancellation; World Cup Build-Up (Panama vs Brazil): Brazil’s Neymar is ruled out of the warm-up friendlies vs Panama and Egypt after MRI scans showed a grade-two right calf strain, with a return target of two to three weeks—leaving his June 13 opener vs Morocco in doubt; Sports & Fans: England’s World Cup warm-up could be played before more than 50,000 empty seats after low ticket sales; Local/Community: A new harpy eagle named Dariéna arrives at the National Aviary, with the species highlighted as Panama’s national bird and an ecosystem health indicator.

World Cup build-up (Panama ties): Neymar missed Brazil’s first World Cup training session after further tests on a bruised right calf, putting his Sunday friendly vs Panama in Brasília in doubt. Ghana squad update (Group L context): Carlos Queiroz named a 28-man Black Stars camp squad for the Wales friendly in Cardiff, with returns including Baba Abdul Rahman and Ernest Nuamah as Ghana prepares for its Group L opener vs Panama. Local sports/education: Panama Central School’s JCC Leadership class visited a Panama village board meeting to learn how local decisions are made. Energy trade (Canal-linked): Canada and Germany’s SEFE reached a first LNG supply deal to buy 1 million tons a year from the Ksi Lisims project in B.C., with shipments potentially routed via the Panama Canal. US legal pressure on FIFA: New York and New Jersey attorneys general launched an investigation into FIFA World Cup ticketing after claims of misleading fans and extreme resale prices.

World Cup in the spotlight: New Jersey and New York prosecutors say FIFA should answer questions over alleged misleading ticketing and “artificially inflating prices,” including for England vs Panama on June 27 and the July 19 final. Panama football: Panama has named its 26-man World Cup squad under Thomas Christiansen, with Orlando Mosquera, Luis Mejía and César Samudio in goal, Aníbal Godoy and Adalberto Carrasquilla in midfield, and Ismael Díaz, Cecilio Waterman and José Fajardo up front as they prepare for their opener. Local impact: Azuero’s water crisis is still dragging on, with over 100,000 people relying on emergency wells, cisterns and tanker deliveries after more than a year without normal service. Health policy: PAHO is rolling out HEARTS 2.0, a 38-step regional pathway to improve early detection and treatment of hypertension and related cardio-renal conditions. Energy and trade: Canada is moving ahead with LNG exports, striking a deal to supply Germany from the Ksi Lisims project, supporting long-term shipments into the early 2030s.

Cybercrime Verdict: A federal jury in Toledo convicted 3 people tied to an international “business email compromise” that netted about $215m from 1,000+ victims across 47 states and 19 countries, bringing the total to 25 convicted in the case. Shipping & Food Supply: Agricultural voyages are getting longer—brokers report record dry-bulk travel times and rising tonne-mile demand, with El Niño risks adding pressure ahead. Panama–China Diplomacy: China’s foreign minister urged Panama to protect Chinese firms’ rights and warned against “third-party interference” as canal tensions simmer at the UN. Canal Neutrality: Austria has started the process to join the Panama Canal neutrality protocol, signaling support for the waterway’s peace-and-trade role. World Cup Focus: Panama’s 26-man squad is set for Group L, and the build-up continues as the tournament schedule locks in across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. Drugs at Sea: U.S. Coast Guard and partners seized 1+ ton of cocaine off Panama after intercepting a go-fast vessel.

World Cup Ticket Shock: FIFA’s demand misread is backfiring—England fans are rushing to buy after major cuts to match tickets, flights, and even hotel blocks, with seats for the June 17 opener vs Croatia in Dallas now far cheaper than earlier this year, and the June 27 Panama game in New Jersey also dropping. Panama Football: Panama named an experienced World Cup squad led by captain Aníbal Godoy and midfielder Adalberto Carrasquilla, with Alberto Quintero back in the mix as Los Canaleros prepare for warm-ups vs Brazil, the Dominican Republic, and Bosnia & Herzegovina. Panama Canal Leadership: Ilya Espino de Marotta was appointed Panama Canal administrator, set to take office at year’s end, with a push to keep the canal reliable amid water-stress pressures. Ghana Build-Up: Ghana’s camp in Cardiff is underway ahead of Wales, while Thomas Partey makes Ghana’s preliminary list despite rape charges. Maritime Training: The STCW PSSR course is spotlighted as behavior-focused safety training for seafarers.