Panama

PANAMA CITY, April 9 (Xinhua) -- Panamanian health authorities on Friday approved the emergency use of the CoronaVac vaccine developed by Chinese pharmaceutical firm Sinovac.

"It is one more opportunity for Panamanians, to have another vaccine here in the country and that more people can be immunized, and achieve herd immunity at some point," said Elvia Lau, director of the Health Ministry's Department of Pharmacies and Drugs.

PANAMA CITY, Dec 25 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A group of 220 Cuban health care professionals arrived in Panama on Thursday to help fight the coronavirus pandemic despite objections from the United States, Panama’s health ministry said.

The Cuban medics will “reinforce the health system in this fight against COVID-19,” the ministry said on Twitter.

Panama announced on Dec 15 it would hire doctors from Cuba, the US, Mexico, Venezuela and Colombia to tackle the pandemic despite a law restricting medical practice to locals.

PANAMA CITY, Dec 3 (NNN-Xinhua) — Erika Mouynes was sworn in as Panama’s new minister of foreign affairs at government headquarters here on Wednesday.

Mouynes was appointed by Panamanian President Laurentino Cortizo as the new foreign minister after the resignation of Alejandro Ferrer.

Mouynes briefly served as the foreign ministry’s deputy minister of multilateral affairs and cooperation, and has rich work experience in European and Latin American financial markets.

PANAMA CITY, June 26 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Panama President Laurentino Cortizo fired his health minister and two other cabinet members over two corruption scandals, as the coronavirus pandemic continues to spread in the country.

Cortizo promoted Deputy Health Minister Luis Francisco Sucre in place of the sacked Rosario Turner, while also firing Social Development Minister Markova Concepcion and Housing Minister Ines Samudio.

PANAMA CITY, March 31 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The government of Panama announced strict quarantine measures that separate citizens by gender in an effort to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus.

From Wednesday, men and women will only be able to leave their homes for two hours at a time, and on different days.

Until now, quarantine regulations were not based on gender.

Men will be able to go to the supermarket or the pharmacy on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, and women will be allowed out on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

PANAMA CITY, March 30 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Passengers on a virus-stricken cruise liner entered the Panama Canal in Central America Sunday after they were told the company was still searching for a port which will allow them to disembark, even as they pleaded for help.

The Panama Canal Authority said the Zaandam liner had entered the canal, which connects the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, on Sunday afternoon after transferring healthy passengers to another ship and restocking supplies.

PANAMA CITY, Dec 18 (NNN-PRENSA LATINA) – At least 12 prisoners were killed and 13 others injured, during a shooting Tuesday, in a prison near Panama City, police said.

Several guns, including five handguns and three long-barrelled firearms, were seized after the shooting, at La Joyita prison, 25 km east of the capital, said the police.

Panama’s Deputy Police Chief, Alexis Munoz, said that, the shooting originated from within the prison, which is plagued by overcrowding and rivalry between gangs.

Panama City, May 6 (AFP) Former Panamanian minister Laurentino Cortizo declared victory in the country's presidential polls on Sunday, though the electoral commission has yet to announce the official winner of the vote.

"I feel very happy. I won. We won. What we have to do now is join forces as a country," Social Democrat Cortizo told reporters.

PANAMA CITY (AP) — China’s expansion in Latin America of its Belt and Road initiative to build ports and other trade-related facilities is stirring alarm in Washington over Beijing’s ambitions in a region that American leaders since the 19th century have seen as off-limits to other powers.

PANAMA CITY (AP) — Pope Francis said Wednesday that fear of migration is “making us crazy” as he began a trip to Central America amid a standoff over President Donald Trump’s promised wall at the U.S.-Mexico border and a new caravan of migrants heading north.

Francis was asked by reporters about the proposed border wall Wednesday on the way to Panama, where he is looking to leave the sex abuse scandals buffeting his papacy behind. Francis responded: “It is the fear that makes us crazy.”