AGP Executive Report

Environmental Crime: An Interpol operation across nine Latin American and Caribbean countries, including Panama, led to 233 arrests and identified 60,000 hectares of illegally cleared forest. Investigators also traced suspected links between Amazon deforestation and companies across several continents. Canal and Climate: El Niño-linked drought has cut daily Panama Canal transits from 36 to 32, pushing some ships to reroute around South America. Traffic through the Strait of Magellan rose more than 70% in August and September compared with a year earlier. Water Pollution: On the Azuero Peninsula, pollution linked to pig-farm waste, dumps and runoff has left about 200,000 people without reliably safe tap water for over a year. Treatment plants have restarted, but health authorities still advise boiling the water. Marine Wildlife: Researchers monitoring the Gulf of Panama say ship noise can reduce the chance of recording humpback whale songs by up to 45%, raising concern about the impact of vessel traffic on marine habitats.

Water Safety Crisis: Pig-farm waste and unmanaged runoff have left about 200,000 people on Panama’s Azuero Peninsula without safe drinking water for over a year, after treatment plants along the Estibaná and La Villa rivers were overwhelmed by fecal contamination and other microorganisms. Marine Life Under Pressure: In the Pearl Islands, researchers are using underwater recorders to test how ship noise affects humpback whale song detection, warning that noise can cut recording chances by up to 45%. Coiba Wildlife Monitoring: MiAmbiente and Fideco report adult green turtles feeding and roosting in Coiba National Park, with monitoring since June 2025 finding mostly adult-sized turtles in good physical condition. Canal Planning for Climate Extremes: The Panama Canal announced a new Long-term Slot Allocation phase for 2027, aiming to give users more predictability during the dry season as water levels and transit rules tighten. El Niño Watch: Global reporting highlights a potentially very strong El Niño, with major knock-on risks for drought, heavy rainfall, and heat across regions that can affect Panama’s weather and ecosystems.

Panama Canal Update: The Panama Canal Authority says it will add a new long-term slot allocation phase (LoTSA.3.0) for Jan 3–Apr 3, 2027, extending predictability for dry-season transits and, for the first time, rolling out a Panamax locks pilot alongside the Neo-Panamax program. Water & Climate Watch: With Gatun Lake levels slightly above the 10-year average, the Canal also plans an extra daily transit slot on Oct. 15 and immediately raises the neopanamax maximum draft to 49 feet, while preparing for potential El Niño-driven drought impacts. Local Weather Risk: Panama’s meteorology agency warns of unstable conditions Sunday, including downpours, storms, and gusty winds, with heightened risk of flooding, river overflows, landslides, and street flooding. Conservation Governance: A new discussion on grievance and redress mechanisms in and around protected areas highlights how rights-based processes are becoming central to conservation planning in Panama and across the region. Wildlife & Habitat Connectivity: A Costa Rica farm-to-forest corridor model shows how native tree regrowth on private land can help reconnect protected areas—an approach Panama conservationists may watch closely.

Panama Canal Operations: The Panama Canal Authority is extending its long-term slot allocation for Neo-Panamax locks and launching a first-ever pilot for Panamax locks, with sealed-bid auctions set for November 2026, aiming to give shippers more certainty during the dry season. Water & Climate Resilience: With Gatun Lake levels slightly above the 10-year average, the PCA will add one more daily transit slot in October (33 from 32) and immediately raise the Neopanamax maximum authorized draft to 49 feet, citing preparations for El Niño-driven drought risk. Weather Watch: Panama’s meteorology agency warns of unstable conditions Sunday—downpours, storms, and gusty winds across parts of the Caribbean and Pacific slopes—raising risks of flooding, river overflows, landslides, and street flooding. Conservation & Biodiversity: A new report highlights how Panama’s Cobre Panamá debate continues to hinge on whether the country can negotiate an exit without re-triggering ecological and legal conflicts, as environmental and Indigenous opposition shaped the Supreme Court’s closure decision. Wildlife Connectivity (Regionally): Costa Rica farmers are helping rebuild wildlife corridors by letting native forest regrow and planting native fruit trees, showing how land choices can reconnect habitat.

Panama Canal Water Management: With Gatun Lake levels slightly above the 10-year average, the Panama Canal Authority will add a transit slot on 15 Oct (33 daily from 32) and immediately raise the neopanamax maximum draft to 49 feet, citing weather projections and preparing for El Niño-driven drought risk. Cobre Panamá Mine Restart Debate: A government commission is set to recommend restarting the suspended Cobre Panamá copper mine via a state partnership with First Quantum, after the Supreme Court ruled the concession unconstitutional; the dispute pits jobs and state revenue claims against ongoing environmental and Indigenous concerns. Biodiversity in Focus: A new study on Panama’s harlequin frogs suggests captive-bred reintroductions may work best in forest areas where weather makes the deadly chytrid fungus less able to spread. Extreme Weather Watch: IMHPA warns of downpours, storms, and gusty winds across parts of Panama, with heightened risk of flooding, river overflows, landslides, and street flooding. Conservation & Climate Law: Latin America’s first “ecocide” law push targets severe environmental destruction with criminal liability for senior decision-makers, alongside funding efforts for biodiversity protection. Wildlife & Disease Monitoring: Researchers in Panama are part of broader work mapping screwworm-related changes, supporting faster detection if outbreaks reach new areas.

Extreme Weather Watch: Panama’s IMHPA is warning of unstable conditions with downpours, storms, and gusty winds across the Caribbean and Pacific slopes, raising risks of flooding, river overflows, landslides, and flooded streets. Biodiversity Under Threat: A new study led with Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute support maps where Panama’s harlequin frogs may still survive chytrid fungus, using weather patterns to guide future captive-breeding releases. Climate Finance for Super El Niño: CAF will seed a US$1 billion response fund for vulnerable communities across Latin America and the Caribbean, with a planned ministerial meeting in Panama in January 2027. Mining & Environment Tension: Sources say a Panamanian commission will recommend restarting the suspended Cobre Panamá mine via a state partnership, despite past environmental backlash and a Supreme Court ruling on the contract. Conservation-Linked Transport: The Panama Canal’s operational changes continue to ripple through regional logistics, with potential knock-on effects for trade and environmental pressures.

Flood Watch: Panama’s IMHPA warns of unstable weather with downpours, storms, and gusty winds across the Caribbean and Pacific slopes, raising risks of flooding, river overflows, landslides, and flooded streets. Wildlife Rescue Hope: A new study suggests Panama’s remaining harlequin frogs may survive chytrid fungus better in cooler, “wrong-for-the-fungus” forest spots—guiding where future captive-bred releases could have the best odds. Conservation & Climate Risk: CAF plans to seed a US$1 billion response fund for a potential “Super El Niño,” with a key Panama meeting of economy ministers set for Jan. 27–28, 2027. Mining vs. Environment: Sources say a Panamanian government commission will recommend restarting the suspended Cobre Panamá mine via a state partnership with First Quantum—after major environmental backlash and a Supreme Court ruling. Marine Pollution Enforcement: The U.S. Coast Guard says it resumed stopping illicit oil shipments to Cuba, citing serious environmental threats in the Caribbean Sea. Weather & Water Infrastructure: Panama’s Water Ministry plans to distribute 5,000 storage tanks over the next three months.

Electric Mobility Rules: Panama’s traffic authority (ATTT) is reviewing updates to traffic regulations that could require licenses for electric scooter and motorcycle riders, arguing that anyone using public roads must understand traffic rules—though no decision or start date is set yet. Weather Watch: Forecasters are warning of rain and thunderstorms across Panama, urging residents to follow official alerts and avoid unnecessary travel in heavy downpour areas. Amphibian Conservation: A new study on Panama’s harlequin frogs suggests captive-bred reintroductions may have better odds in forest spots where local weather is less favorable for the deadly chytrid fungus—researchers mapped priority areas but have not yet released frogs. Climate Risk Funding: CAF announced an initial US$1 billion response fund for a potential “Super El Niño,” with a key ministerial meeting planned in Panama in January 2027 on financing natural-risk management. Mining & Environment: Sources say a Panamanian government commission will recommend restarting the suspended Cobre Panamá mine via a state partnership with First Quantum, despite past environmental backlash and a court ruling that the contract was unconstitutional.

Amphibian Conservation: A new study suggests Panama’s remaining harlequin frogs may survive the chytrid fungus in forest pockets where weather is less favorable to the disease—guiding where captive-bred frogs could be released, though no reintroductions have been tested yet. Climate Risk & Water Security: UNICEF warns 25.8 million children across Latin America and the Caribbean face very high El Niño-linked rainfall risks, while Panama’s La Chorrera school installed a solar-powered “drinking water from air humidity” system to boost access without wells or grid power. Extreme Weather Outlook: Forecasters are calling for afternoon rain and thunderstorms across parts of Panama, urging residents to watch official updates. Natural Disasters Finance: CAF announced an initial US$1 billion response fund for a potential “Super El Niño,” including a ministerial meeting in Panama in January 2027 on managing natural-risk finances. Mining & Environment: Sources say a Panama government commission will recommend restarting the suspended Cobre Panamá mine via a state partnership with First Quantum—despite major public backlash over environmental oversight. Marine Pollution Enforcement: The U.S. Coast Guard says it has resumed stopping vessels carrying oil to Cuba, citing risks to the Caribbean Sea and coastal ecosystems.

Cobre Panamá Mine Restart: Panama’s government commission is set to recommend restarting the suspended Cobre Panamá open-pit copper mine via a state partnership with First Quantum, after a Supreme Court ruling found the contract unconstitutional and amid ongoing public environmental backlash. Climate Risk Funding: CAF announced an initial US$1 billion response fund to help Latin America prepare for and respond to a potential “Super El Niño,” warning of drought, extreme heat, flooding, and major economic losses. El Niño Health Impacts: A new forecast links Super El Niño to up to 1,200 additional heat-related deaths in South Africa, with calls for early warning and cooling protections. Water Access in Panama: La Chorrera installed a solar-powered “drinking water from air humidity” system at a school, aiming to boost safe water access without relying on wells or the grid. Marine Pollution Enforcement: The U.S. Coast Guard says it has stopped vessels carrying oil to Cuba, citing illegal shipments and environmental risks in the Caribbean Sea. Rain and Thunderstorms: Panama weather alerts warn of afternoon rain and thunderstorms in parts of the country.

El Niño & heat risk: A Climate Impact Lab report warns Super El Niño could drive about 1,200 additional heat-related deaths in South Africa over the next six months, with early-warning systems, cooling centers, and protections for outdoor workers flagged as key. El Niño & children: UNICEF says 25.8 million children across Latin America and the Caribbean face very high risks from rainfall deficits or excess rainfall tied to El Niño, threatening food, safe water, health care, and education. Water access in Panama: In La Chorrera, a new solar-powered “drinking water from air humidity” system was installed at a school, aiming to boost safe water access without relying on wells or grid power. Fisheries governance in Panama: Panama is advancing co-management zones for responsible small-scale fisheries, using participatory rules backed by national law to help communities manage and sustain local fish stocks. Cobre Panamá mine fight: A Panama interministerial commission recommended reopening the large open-pit Cobra/Cobre Panamá copper mine to support an “orderly closure,” while First Quantum welcomed a report that includes 17 recommendations tied to ending arbitration and prioritizing environmental and public interests. Panama Canal logistics: Reports note the Canal is easing restrictions on ship transits and adjusting draft/maximum draft levels, keeping global shipping costs and energy supply routes in focus. Regional climate pressure: A wider risk report warns El Niño could disrupt supply chains, commodity output, and infrastructure stress across Latin America, with drought impacts in parts of Central America and flooding risks rising elsewhere.

Cobre Panamá Mine Fallout: A Panamanian ministerial commission has recommended reopening the Canadian-owned open-pit copper mine in Donoso only to enable an “orderly closure,” while prioritizing environmental and public interests—an approach that sent First Quantum shares down sharply and keeps arbitration claims in play. Biodiversity in Darién: Indigenous Wounaan and Emberá-Wounaan communities in Darién launched a biodiversity monitoring project using camera traps and bioacoustics, documenting 200+ species across 18,000 hectares and using the data to support conservation-linked revenue. El Niño Human Risk: UNICEF warns 25.8 million children across Latin America and the Caribbean face very high climate risks from El Niño-driven rainfall extremes, threatening food, safe water, health care, and education. Water Access Innovation: La Chorrera inaugurated a solar-powered “drinking water from air humidity” fountain at a school, aiming to boost safe water without relying on wells or grid power. Comarca Health Support: U.S. Army teams delivered a two-week medical mission in the Ngäbe-Buglé Comarca, expanding access to specialty care in remote clinics.

Fisheries Governance in Panama: Panama is expanding co-management zones for responsible small-scale fisheries, using participatory rules backed by ARAP and Law 204 (2021) to tailor fishing regulations to local communities and protect sustainable use. Cobre Panamá Mine Fallout: A Panamanian ministerial commission has recommended an “orderly closure” plan for First Quantum’s Cobre Panamá, while allowing a possible temporary restart to fund shutdown and pushing for negotiations to end arbitration—sparking major market reaction and renewing the debate over environmental safeguards. Indigenous Biodiversity in Darién: Wounaan and Emberá-Wounaan communities in Panama’s Darién are using camera traps and bioacoustic monitoring to document threatened forest species and build a baseline for biodiversity credits, including jaguars and tapirs. El Niño Pressure on Water and Trade: New research warns super El Niño could disrupt Latin American supply chains and commodity output, with drought threatening Panama Canal traffic and water security. Wildlife Monitoring and Safety: Panama’s conservation beat also includes broader wildlife alerts and research—like screwworm studies that could improve monitoring and control of livestock pests.

Cobre Panamá Mine Decision: A Panamanian ministerial commission has recommended President José Raúl Mulino restart the suspended Cobre Panamá open-pit copper mine under a state partnership, aiming for an “orderly closure” and to settle First Quantum’s arbitration claims; First Quantum says the audit includes 17 recommendations, including transparent public benefits and an environmental plan funded automatically from state revenue, while markets reacted sharply with shares plunging over 30%. El Niño Pressure on Water & Shipping: With El Niño-linked drought still stressing Lake Gatun, the Panama Canal eased draft and capacity limits—raising Neopanamax maximum draft to 14.94 m and adding a transit slot from Oct. 15 (10 daily Neopanamax slots; 33 total)—but warned the water deficit continues. Indigenous Conservation Finance in Darién: In Panama’s Darién, Indigenous Wounaan and Emberá-Wounaan communities launched biodiversity monitoring across 18,000 hectares, documenting 200+ species (including jaguars, tapirs, and crested eagles) to build a baseline for biodiversity credits and reduce hunting. Wildlife Research Update: Researchers mapped mating-related chemical changes in the New World screwworm, a livestock pest, potentially improving future monitoring and control.

El Niño Humanitarian Fallout: UNICEF warns that El Niño is exposing about 25.8 million children across the Americas to drought and flood risks, with at least nine million needing humanitarian help—hitting school access, food supplies, and safe water hardest. Panama Canal Water Stress Relief: After drought-driven limits, the Panama Canal Authority is easing restrictions by raising the Neopanamax maximum draft to 14.94 m and adding a transit slot—10 Neopanamax transits per day from Oct. 15—bringing total daily capacity to 33, while stressing the water deficit is not gone. Mining vs. Environment: Panama’s government commission is set to recommend restarting the suspended Cobre Panama copper mine via a state partnership with First Quantum, despite past Supreme Court rulings tied to environmental and contract concerns. Wildlife Protection in Panama: In Los Santos, more than 10,000 sea turtle nests are being protected, with hatchlings released this year—an on-the-ground conservation win amid climate pressures. Climate Extremes Beyond Panama: Experts flag a possible “Kelvin wave” that could raise California sea levels and worsen coastal erosion and storms, underscoring how El Niño-linked ocean shifts ripple across the region.

Panama Canal Water Relief: After drought-driven limits, the Panama Canal Authority says it will raise Neopanamax transits to 10 per day (total 33) from Oct. 15 and lift the maximum authorized Neopanamax draft to 49 feet, citing improved Gatun Lake levels and water-saving measures. Community Cleanup Push: Panama Now reports more than 3,000 volunteers joining beach and river cleanup efforts, underscoring the push to cut waste flowing into waterways. Wildlife Coexistence in Focus: A new jaguar census and camera-trap work in eastern Panama is helping communities see big cats as an opportunity for scientific tourism and better livestock practices. El Niño Climate Pressure: Coverage highlights how El Niño is driving extreme conditions across the region, with Panama facing both drought and flooding risks. Shipping Sustainability Angle: Eastern Pacific Shipping delivered an LNG dual-fuel PCTC carrier to Suardiaz, pointing to lower-emissions logistics as a growing priority.