The Ministry of Public Works (MOP) of Panama has announced that an alleged falsification of documents is being investigated in the public act for the rehabilitation of the West Pan-American Highway, which is being carried out through a Public-Private Partnership (APP). The MOP argues that it is advancing the stages established by Law No. 38 of July 31, 2000, and that the initiation of the procedure does not, in itself, imply any determination of responsibility until the corresponding analysis is formally concluded. The investigation was requested after the 'Vías del Istmo' consortium filed a complaint on October 28. In its second report on December 15, 2025, the evaluation commission gave the highest score to this consortium. To date, this public act has not been awarded, and the General Directorate of Public Procurement (DGCP) has partially annulled the commission's report and instructed it to draft a new one. This incident further complicates the project, whose bidding process was launched nearly 10 months ago. The urgent need for highway rehabilitation is due to its evident deterioration, which is the subject of numerous complaints from drivers. For reference, the first stretch of the Pan-American Highway (from Las Garzas to Yaviza) is already under construction via APP, as is the repair of the Santiago-David section.
Alleged Document Falsification Investigated in Panama Highway Project
Panama's MOP investigates alleged document falsification in a major highway rehabilitation project, jeopardizing a bidding process that has been unresolved for nearly 10 months.
