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Following the strong earthquake that struck Panama on October 9, the Government of Panama declared a state of national emergency to accelerate assistance to affected communities and the repair of damaged infrastructure, between schools, schools and hotels. The balance of dead and missing was zero. From Panama City, our correspondent José María Torrijos tells us more details.
The Government of Panama declared a state of national emergency and announced that it will allocate up to $100 million to address the damage caused by the earthquake, which left at least 27 injured and affected hundreds of homes and educational centres. Over a hundred replicas forced part of the population to spend the night in parks and streets.
The 7.7-magnitude earthquake caused damage in different areas of the country. The authorities are working to determine the total extent of the damage.
The heavy tremor of magnitude 7.7 and depth of 4 kilometres in Panama did not leave any casualties, but some people were injured with minor blows and several buildings near the epicenter were affected. Since the earthquake, more than 100 replicas have been recorded, and there are places where civilians remain on the streets. Informs José María Torrijos.
The National Institute of Geosciences of Panama reported a strong earthquake of 7.2 with epicenter on the southern coast of the country, but the United States Geological Service claims it was of magnitude 7.6. The teluric movement generated panic in the streets, forcing Panamanians to evacuate. Nine countries have activated the tsunami alert and at least 13 replicas have been recorded. Our correspondent José María Torrijos reports.
An earthquake of magnitude 7.7 hit the southern coast of Panama on Friday at a depth of 12.6 kilometres, according to the United States Geological Service, causing damage to some buildings but without affecting the vital commercial waterways of the Panama Canal. So far, no official victim report has been given.
The epicenter of the earthquake was located in the south of the Central American country, near the Pacific coast. Dozens of buildings were affected.
This year, Panama again sent prisoners to the island, known for having been the scene of abuse and forced labour in the past.
The earthquake has not caused victims and the authorities have overturned a possible tsunami alert for Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Peru, Nicaragua, Guatemala, El Salvador and Mexico.
European Union finance ministers removed Panama and Vietnam from their list of non-cooperating tax jurisdictions, following progress in their tax controls. The decision was heard during a meeting in Luxembourg. The list, created in 2017 to combat tax evasion, now includes eight countries and territories. In parallel, ECLAC highlighted in the Dominican Republic the assets and capacities of Latin America for the global economy.
Panama moved 29 prisoners to an island that was a feared criminal colony, marked by abuse and forced labour. The decision gives rise to concern for the future of this territory, today World Heritage. We travel there to know his story.
In August 2026, 14 less ships passed through the Panama Canal in the same period, mainly due to the operational constraints associated with the El Niño phenomenon, however, the revenues of the interoceanic road continued to grow. This is because ships crossing the Canal carry more cargo and pay higher fares for their transit. In addition, the Canal administration announced that from 15 October the daily transit capacity will increase from 32 to 33 vessels. From Panama City, our correspondent José María Torrijos is
The group has moved its regional headquarters to Panama and is studying a capital increase in Mexico to improve its credit quality
At the close of the Strait of Ormuz and the turbulence in Bab el Mandeb, there is a persistent drought in the Panama Canal and doubts about Malaca
Ronald Ávila and José María Rodero, from BBC Mundo, travelled to Panama to understand how the channel works.
