AGP Executive Report

National Folklore Week 2026: Panama is gearing up for a big cultural run Aug. 18–23, with museum shows, workshops, forums, and galas celebrating polleras and other folklore traditions, including a dedicated pollera forum at the City of Arts (Aug. 20) and regional folklore honors during the National Folklore Gala (Aug. 22). Panama & the Russia-Ukraine war: The government says it’s tracking 24–30 Panamanian nationals caught up in the conflict, with consular teams already extracting some people and prosecutors pursuing human-trafficking cases tied to recruiters at Tocumen. US-Iran tensions hit Panama-linked shipping: U.S. forces disabled a Panama-flagged cargo ship trying to breach the Iran blockade, while Iran rejects Trump’s “total control” claim over the Strait of Hormuz; the wider crisis is also feeding Red Sea risk. Panama Canal strain: Backlogs are reportedly swelling to about 10 days as water levels fall and war-related disruptions push up costs, including a reported $4m “queue jump.” Arts & culture beyond borders: Princess Cruises will bring a “Welcome” themed float to the 2027 Rose Parade. Sports (Panama connection): Roberto Durán reflects on Ken Buchanan as the most skilful opponent he faced.

Panama Canal Costs Spike: Commercial ships are paying more as Iran-war disruption and El Niño-linked water limits stretch queues; one container vessel reportedly paid about $4m to jump the line, with wait times near 10 days. Maritime Security Hits Panama-Flagged Ship: The US says a MH-60 helicopter fired missiles at a Panama-flagged cargo ship trying to breach the blockade of Iranian ports, disabling its steering/engine area. Hormuz Standoff Deepens: Iran rejects any cease-fire extension talk with the US, saying the Strait of Hormuz stays closed until Washington accepts its conditions; Trump meanwhile doubles down on claims of “total control,” while shipping traffic drops to a one-week low. Colombia Earthquake Relief Continues: Rescuers keep digging after a 7.4 quake that has killed 224+ (and more in later updates), with dramatic rescues reported in Cali and Pereira. Panama Medical Escape Story: An Accrington mum says she “sneaked” her son into Panama for treatment after UK doctors blocked overseas care.

Panama Canal & Shipping: A container ship owner paid about US$4 million to jump the Panama Canal queue, as Iran-war disruptions keep traffic backed up and more vessels chase alternative routes. Middle East Maritime Tensions: The U.S. Central Command confirmed it fired on a Panamanian-flagged ship (Vela Nova) in the Gulf of Oman after warnings were ignored, while Iran says the Strait of Hormuz will stay closed unless U.S. conditions are met; separate reports also cite a Houthi attack near Bab el-Mandeb that killed crew. Colombia Earthquake Relief (felt in Panama): A 7.4 quake in western Colombia has killed at least 243 (with hundreds missing or injured), prompting emergency declarations and major search-and-rescue efforts; New Zealand Red Cross launched an appeal for affected communities, and Shakira and other Colombian stars are rallying support. Arts & Culture: A Latin American film festival is bringing free screenings (including a Panamanian title) through August 27, highlighting regional stories and landscapes. Music Spotlight: Venezuela’s live-session project Free Cover keeps growing, with artists drawn to its high-quality, audience-friendly recordings. Sports: The Little League World Series heads to Williamsport next week, with Panama among the teams listed for the regional chess-and-sports spotlight.

Colombia Earthquake Aftermath: A powerful 7.4 quake hit western Colombia on Aug. 10, with the death toll climbing to at least 164 and injuries reported at 570 as rescuers search collapsed buildings in cities like Cali, Pereira, and Manizales; President Abelardo de la Espriella declared a state of emergency and says the top priority is freeing people trapped under rubble. Panama-Linked Impact: Reports say the shaking was felt as far as Panama, underscoring regional stakes for disaster readiness. Sports Spotlight (Panama): Panama’s delegation at the Central American and Caribbean Games in Santo Domingo 2026 surpassed its five-gold milestone with eight gold medals, including standout wins in judo, chess, athletics, gymnastics, and baseball. Arts & Culture (International): South Africa’s Charlotte Mannya-Maxeke Institute launched “Portraits of Power,” a cultural diplomacy exhibition honoring influential women. Maritime Note (Panama-flagged ship): A Panama-flagged container vessel in the Gulf of Oman was reportedly struck by a missile, with a fire extinguished and all 17 crew accounted for.

Disaster Response: A 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck western Colombia near San José del Palmar in Chocó, collapsing buildings across Pereira, Quibdó, Cali and Manizales. Human Toll: Colombia’s newly sworn-in president Abelardo de la Espriella said deaths have climbed to at least 111, with 87 injured and dozens of people trapped under rubble; the government declared an emergency and prioritized rescue and aid. Regional Impact: The quake was felt in neighboring Ecuador and Panama, with minimal reported damage, while authorities warned of aftershocks and suspended some flights due to airport damage. Arts & Culture Lens: Colombian artists and major musicians including Shakira publicly urged unity and support for affected families as rescue teams worked through the debris.

Panama Sports Spotlight: Kary Morrell Camargo won first place in the Optics Lady and Class D categories at the 2026 RTIC Cup in Panama, an IPSC-sanctioned event with 150+ shooters at Balboa Shooting Club. Arts & Culture (Music): Horizontes 08.09.2026 on KUTX 98.9 Austin runs a two-hour Latin-music mix featuring tracks from Panamá’s The Exciters (“Ese Muerto No Lo Cargo Yo”) plus artists across Brazil, Colombia, Cuba, Puerto Rico and more. Local Entertainment/Media: X-Men ’97 keeps topping streaming charts, hitting No. 1 across multiple countries including Panama, with Season 3 set for 2027. International Arts/Books: Anthropic’s “Project Panama” destructive book-scanning plan is back in the spotlight, raising fresh alarms about AI training and the fate of print culture. Panama in the News (Society): A Panama educator, Doris Franco, was convicted in a femicide case tied to her former partner, with prosecutors seeking a 30-year sentence. Panama & the World (Human Impact): Reports say two Panamanian families in Colón were notified of their children’s deaths after being recruited for the Russia-Ukraine war.

Boxing Legacy: Panamanian legend Roberto Durán named Sugar Ray Leonard as the best fighter he ever faced, praising Leonard’s comeback after losing to him in their 1980 “No Mas” trilogy. Comics & Heritage: Startling Comics #8 (with Alex Schomburg art) is up for auction, featuring Golden Age stories mixing Blackbeard history, Panama Canal fears, and wild science. Local Arts/Media: Disney+’s X-Men ’97 keeps climbing—now No. 1 across multiple Latin American markets including Panama—with Season 3 confirmed for 2027. Sports (Panama link): Ghana midfielder Caleb Yirenkyi’s club-record Coventry signing follows his World Cup moment: a stoppage-time winner vs Panama. Panama Governance: Panama’s “parallel decentralization” embezzlement probe has charged 99 people tied to misuse of public funds routed through local community boards. Culture & People: A Panama educator, Doris Franco, moves through the femicide case toward sentencing after prosecutors sought 30 years.

Panama Canal Update: Drought is forcing the Panama Canal Authority to cut the maximum vessel draft, reducing how much cargo ships can carry and adding pressure to trade flows toward Europe. Local Governance & Corruption: In Panama’s “parallel decentralization” scandal, the number of people charged over misuse of public funds has climbed to 99, with prosecutors citing audit inconsistencies and missing documentation. Arts & Streaming: Disney+’s X-Men ’97 keeps topping charts, including in Panama, and Marvel has confirmed Season 3 for 2027 (and Season 4 following). Music & Culture: Ecuador concert promoter Juan Carlos Domínguez says Feel The Club’s Shakira run proved Ecuador can sustain major international tour demand. Sports & Talent: Coventry City completed a club-record signing of Ghana midfielder Caleb Yirenkyi, who scored against Panama at the World Cup. Human Stories: A Costa Rican Boy Scout’s “Tico of Light” mission in Venezuela used art, music, and scouting spirit to support earthquake-affected children.

Streaming & Pop Culture: Disney+’s X-Men ’97 keeps topping charts, now No. 1 across multiple Latin American countries including Panama, with Season 3 confirmed for 2027 and Season 4 in 2028. Film & Celebrity: Colin Firth, Laura Linney and Julianne Moore are starring in Comfort And Joy, a movie about Dr. Alex Comfort, the author behind The Joy of Sex. Sports (Panama-linked): Canada’s U-20 run at the CONCACAF tournament included a group-stage win over Panama, while Mexico set up the final after beating Canada 2-1. Panama & Arts/Community: A Panama educator’s femicide case in Veraguas moves through the legal process, with prosecutors seeking a 30-year sentence. Arts-adjacent Tech Debate: A report on “Project Panama” highlights destructive book scanning for AI training, reigniting backlash from book lovers and creators. Regional Spotlight: Peru confirmed it will host the 2027 Pan American Games in Lima after logistics reviews with Panam Sports.

AI & Books: A 404 Media report says ISBNdb offered “destructive book scanning” for AI training—cutting spines, digitizing pages, then pulping originals—while also using nondisclosure deals to hide client identities, reigniting fears that printed knowledge is being treated as disposable fuel. Colombia Politics: Abelardo de la Espriella was sworn in as Colombia’s president in Cali, breaking tradition by holding the ceremony outside Bogotá and signaling a sharp ideological and regional-security shift. Streaming Spotlight: Marvel’s X-Men ’97 is topping Disney+ viewership, including No. 1 rankings across Panama and much of Latin America, with Season 3 set for 2027 and Season 4 following in 2028. Panama-Linked Sports: Canada’s U-20 run at the CONCACAF tournament included a group-stage win over Panama, and the team booked an Olympic berth for Los Angeles 2028. Panama Business/Industry: Haleon announced a $30M+ expansion in Panama’s Juan Díaz plant, aiming to double output for Central America and the Caribbean and create 100+ additional jobs.

Streaming Spotlight: Marvel’s X-Men ’97 is back on top on Disney+—No. 1 in the U.S. and also leading in Panama and across much of Latin America, with Season 3 confirmed for 2027 and Season 4 following in 2028. Panama & Sports: A reminder that Panama’s name is showing up in regional sports headlines too—Panam Sports is evaluating logistics for the 2027 Pan American Games in Peru, with President Keiko Fujimori pushing to speed up infrastructure after delays. Arts & Culture (Panama-linked): The global music world keeps turning toward Latin America: Feel The Club CEO Juan Carlos Domínguez talks promoting major stadium shows for Shakira and expanding the region’s touring map. Local Human Stories: Two Panamanian families in Colón received notices that their children died after being recruited into the Russia-Ukraine war, as Panama investigates alleged fraudulent networks. Media/Tech Debate: “Project Panama” at Anthropic reignites the controversy over AI training using bulk book destruction and pirated material. Canal Watch: Drought is forcing the Panama Canal to reduce vessel draft limits, likely impacting cargo volumes toward East Coast ports.

Panama Arts & Culture: Haleon is expanding in Panama’s Juan Díaz Industrial Park, investing over $30 million to double production capacity for Central America, the Caribbean and Latin America—creating 220 current jobs and adding 100+ more once the modernization and new automated packaging line are running. Sports Spotlight: Ecuador confirmed a friendly in Japan on Oct. 1, then another match in Tokyo four days later versus either Panama or New Zealand, with the Sept. 24 opener against South Korea—an important tune-up after their World Cup exit. Regional Games Buzz: The Bahamas won two bronze medals at the CAC Games in Santo Domingo, including sailing (mixed dinghy) and men’s pole vault (Brenden Vanderpool). Arts, Media & Tech: A new OpEd-style report on “Project Panama” renews the debate over AI training and book destruction, describing bulk scanning and pulping of physical books to feed private research libraries. Health & Society: PAHO urges stronger protections against digital marketing of breast-milk substitutes, warning that influencer-driven ads and algorithms are undermining breastfeeding rates across the Americas.

Panama Industry & Jobs: Haleon is expanding in Panama with a $30M+ investment at its Juan Díaz plant, adding capacity and aiming to create 100+ more jobs as it modernizes operations to supply Central America, the Caribbean and beyond. Health Policy: PAHO is urging stronger protections against digital marketing of breast-milk substitutes, warning that social media influencers and AI-driven ads are steering families away from evidence-based breastfeeding info. Arts & Entertainment (Streaming): Apple TV’s Ted Lasso Season 4 has surged to the top of streaming charts worldwide after just one day, with Panama among the countries seeing strong rankings. Local Media Watch: Panama reporting flags how state advertising contracts can be routed through related companies tied to Nex TV leadership, while the station still carries debts with the Social Security Fund (CSS). Culture & Heritage: A feature highlights Wounaan resistance to illegal rosewood logging, linking Indigenous craftsmanship to the fight over valuable timber. Tech & Publishing: Coverage continues on AI firms buying and destroying books for training data, keeping the “book shredding” debate in the spotlight.

Art & Culture Spotlight: A new profile on Frank Duveneck’s Venice-era work revisits how the “Duveneck Boys” studied masters and helped shift American painting toward brighter, freer brushwork. Panama & Media: Investigators report that Panama’s state advertising contracts can be routed through a separate company tied to Nex TV leadership—raising questions about transparency and how CSS debts are handled. Tech & Publishing: A newsroom-focused report describes how AI image tools like NanoMaker can lose generated assets after 14 days, creating real publishing headaches. Public Health: PAHO warns that digital marketing for breast-milk substitutes is undermining breastfeeding across the Americas and urges stronger online safeguards. Indigenous Rights: Coverage highlights Wounaan resistance to illegal rosewood logging, linking cultural craftsmanship to the fight for forest protection. Sports (Panama tie-in): Ghana’s Caleb Yirenkyi, linked to Panama via World Cup scoring, is set for a record move to Coventry City.

Panama Media Watch: A new investigation says state advertising contracts are routed through a separate company tied to Next TV’s leadership, while Next TV still carries overdue debts with Panama’s Social Security Fund (CSS), raising fresh questions about transparency and compliance. Indigenous Rights & Culture: Wounaan communities are pushing back against illegal rosewood (cocobolo) logging, defending ancestral knowledge and the beauty of their craft traditions. Health & Parenting Policy: PAHO warns that digital marketing for breast-milk substitutes is undermining breastfeeding across the Americas and calls for stronger safeguards and monitoring of online ads. Arts & Film (Panama in the mix): Costa Rica–Panama–Chile co-productions are among the projects gaining momentum ahead of major festival attention, including TIFF-bound titles with regional production partners. Sports Spotlight: Panama’s presence in regional football remains visible, from CONCACAF U-20 matchups to World Cup-linked player stories.

Panama in the spotlight (sports): Ghana midfielder Caleb Yirenkyi is set for a record €30m move to Coventry City after scoring the winner for Ghana against Panama at the 2026 World Cup. Panama in the spotlight (arts/film): Bendita Film Sales picked up worldwide rights to TIFF-bound Costa Rica/Peru/Panama co-production “Love Is the Monster,” starring Paulina García. Panama in the spotlight (tech & infrastructure): EdgeMode says it has strong ties with regional governments in Spain and Panama as it builds AI-ready data center campuses. Panama in the spotlight (security & culture): Portugal seized at least four tonnes of cocaine from a Hong Kong-flagged container ship “sailing from Panama,” adding to a record 2026 haul. What to watch today: CONCACAF U-20 quarterfinals include Mexico vs Panama (FS2) and Canada vs Jamaica (FS1). Global arts & culture: TIFF added 60+ titles to its 2026 lineup, including festival winners and new Centrepiece/Wavelengths selections.