Panama's President Announces 2026 Projects

Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino highlighted that 2026 will be a very good year, full of hope and, above all, projects that are beginning to be implemented to generate jobs throughout the country. He also emphasized that the tireless fight against crime and delinquency will continue, reinforcing the state's security forces. The funds from the sale of material extracted from the mine will be exclusively allocated to social works, highlighting health and water, as part of the government's projection for 2026, the president said this Saturday. "I trust that this week we will define with Minister Chapman that the 30 million they paid us in royalties for the mine material will be dedicated exclusively to social works, not a dollar elsewhere," the head of state stated. "It is useless for the Executive to make its effort through the security forces if the Judiciary does not walk in step," the president remarked. He also referred to the recent murder of a National Police officer, for which he did not rule out a year of greater rigor against delinquency and a firm hand against crime. Additionally, he highlighted the arrival of 2026 full of hope for all Panamanians, with job generation and government investment in infrastructure projects for more than $11 billion. "There are outlaws like yesterday's that ended a police officer's life... My respects to those families who contribute heroes to the country and who are sometimes very misunderstood." At the same time, he emphasized that the use of the mine funds will focus on health (hospitals and health centers) and water. He highlighted the closing of the fiscal year successfully, with positive numbers, a controlled deficit and finances in order, with a 2026 budget strongly directed to the country's social sector. Mulino, who accompanied the First Lady, Maricel Cohen de Mulino, during an institutional fair in the province of Chiriquí, anticipated that the new year will be to work hard in favor of the population, to return their faith and to lay the foundations of a country that grows and gives opportunities. "Have no doubt that that is coming."