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Panama

The latest news, analysis and opinion on Panama. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.

Capital

Panama City

Head of State

President José Raúl Mulino

Head of Government

President José Raúl Mulino

A subsidiary of CK Hutchison Holdings previously operated two ports at either end of the Panama Canal before the country took over. Photo: Sam Tsang

Hong Kong politics

CK Hutchison subsidiary slams Panama over ‘unnotified intrusion’ at storage site

Panama Ports Company accuses Panamanian authorities of undermining due process with raid, slams earlier takeover of canal ports as ‘illegal’.

28 Feb 2026 - 8:24PM

Hong Kong economy

Panama raids CK Hutchison subsidiary office, days after taking over canal ports

27 Feb 2026 - 9:42PM

Hutchison’s Panama ports deal

Opinion | Panama’s ports grab may be politically expedient, but at what cost?

26 Feb 2026 - 10:45AM

China-Latin America relations

The View | Venezuela and Panama aren’t the whole story of China in Latin America

While recent events highlight the risks in volatile states, China’s position in Latin America is rooted in deep trade and investment links with the region’s largest economies.

24 Feb 2026 - 6:46PMvideocam

A man on a motorcycle transports water bottles past pumpjacks, beside deteriorating oil infrastructure on the shores of Lake Maracaibo, in Cabimas, Venezuela on January 26. Photo: Reuters

Hong Kong economy

Panama’s port takeover ‘culmination of a campaign’ against CK Hutchison

Company says officials entered terminals ‘without invitation’, told staff concession had ended and ordered immediate halt to operations.

25 Feb 2026 - 1:18AM

China-Latin America relations

Panama ousts Hong Kong operator from canal ports in ruling backed by Washington

White House says Panama’s move to assert sovereignty over Balboa and Cristobal aligns with Donald Trump’s vision for the canal.

24 Feb 2026 - 9:43AMvideocam

US-Venezuela conflict

US forces board another tanker in Indian Ocean after tracking it from Caribbean

The Veronica III, which sails under the Panamanian flag, is subject to US sanctions related to Iran, the US says.

16 Feb 2026 - 8:33AM

US forces aboard the Veronica III on Sunday. Photo: US Department of Defence via Reuters

Hutchison’s Panama ports deal

Editorial | Panama’s U-turn on a business deal under pressure dents investor confidence

Revoking CK Hutchison’s rights to run two canal ports is a decision that not only affects Hong Kong – it strikes at the heart of international commerce.

14 Feb 2026 - 7:15AM

Hong Kong economy

CK Hutchison pursues ‘all legal options’ on Panama ports, invites consultations

Conglomerate says authorities have ‘advanced steps towards a forced exit’ of Panama Ports Company (PPC) and are preparing to transition port operations.

13 Feb 2026 - 4:25AM

China-Latin America relations

China vows to ‘do what it can’ as US blockade leaves Cuba with just weeks of oil

Beijing pledges continued support for Cuba and champions Havana’s sovereignty as the island grapples with worsening fuel shortages.

12 Feb 2026 - 7:38AMvideocam

China’s support comes as Cuba faces a critical fuel shortage after the United States blocked shipments of Venezuelan oil. Photo: Reuters

Hong Kong politics

Ports row prompts Hong Kong investors to reassess stakes in Panama: John Lee

City leader also says Hong Kong government fully supports Beijing’s intention to safeguard rights of Chinese enterprises.

10 Feb 2026 - 8:40PM

The Port of Balboa in Panama. Photo: AFP

China-Latin America relations

China urged to ‘harshly’ punish Panama over court’s canal ruling

Legal analyst says Beijing should ‘consider postponing arrangements’ for Donald Trump’s visit over a ruling against a Hong Kong-based firm.

9 Feb 2026 - 10:00PMvideocam

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Hong Kong economy

CK Hutchison set for hard fight to secure Panama port deal compensation: experts

Subsidiary has requested arbitration after Panamanian authorities voided concession contract but securing damages may be difficult, they warn.

8 Feb 2026 - 11:10PM

Hong Kong economy

Hong Kong summons Panama envoy over court ruling on CK Hutchison ports concession

Commerce minister Algernon Yau says Panama ruling to strip Li Ka-shing firm’s subsidiary of canal port rights ‘undermines’ trade rules.

7 Feb 2026 - 3:30PM

Panama’s Supreme Court of Justice last week stripped dock operational rights from the Panama Ports Company, a subsidiary of the conglomerate led by Hong Kong billionaire Li Ka-shing’s family. Photo: AP

Hong Kong politics

What’s behind plan to adopt multi-operator model for Panama Canal ports?

Panamanian president reportedly vowed his country will ‘never again’ grant concession contracts to run terminals to single company.

7 Feb 2026 - 6:45PMvideocam

The Port of Balboa, one of two terminals at either end of the Panama Canal controlled by Hong Kong’s CK Hutchison. Photo: EPA

China-Latin America relations

China keeps Cuba and Uruguay in the fold, puts Panama out in the cold

Beijing promises more aid to struggling Havana and cooperation with Montevideo as Washington looks to extend its reach in Latin America.

6 Feb 2026 - 11:00PMvideocam

US-China relations

The options China could take to deal with ‘serious setback’ over Panama Canal

Beijing has a range of possible options after a contract given to Hong Kong firm CK Hutchison was voided by Panama’s Supreme Court.

6 Feb 2026 - 1:07PMvideocam

Transport and logistics

Panama’s ‘dangerous precedent’: why ports appear pawns as politics top contracts

Panama’s move to void CK Hutchison’s deal fuels fears of broader asset seizures, with analysts warning of rising risks for Chinese operators in the US sphere.

6 Feb 2026 - 12:51AM

A view of the main entrance of the Port of Balboa in Panama City on Friday. A subsidiary of Hong Kong-based CK Hutchison, Panama Ports Company (PPC), announced on Tuesday that it had initiated international arbitration proceedings against Panama after its courts revoked the concession allowing it to operate two ports on the interoceanic canal. Photo: AFP

China-Latin America relations

Panama president defends ruling after China slams canal port concession decision

Panamanian President Jose Raul Mulino rejects Chinese criticism, arguing verdict was within Panama’s constitutional and legal framework.

5 Feb 2026 - 1:09AMvideocam

Malaysia

Malaysian waters see return of oil transfer by ‘dark fleet’ of tankers

A crackdown against two vessels off Penang was the first disruption of such a ship-to-ship oil transfer in the state for over 10 years.

4 Feb 2026 - 7:48PMvideocam

Hong Kong economy

US ‘pressure’ a challenge in CK Hutchison’s arbitration against Panama: experts

Case could take years to resolve, whether the Hong Kong conglomerate seeks compensation or ruling invalidating the voiding of its contract.

4 Feb 2026 - 6:39PM

An aerial view of the port of Balboa, operated by Hong Kong conglomerate CK Hutchison, in Panama City. Photo: AFP

US-China relations

Panama ports defeat shows China faces tougher test in Latin America

China pushed back after Panama stripped CK Hutchison of two Panama Canal ports as Beijing contends with more active US competition in Latin America.

5 Feb 2026 - 9:31AM

Hong Kong economy

CK Hutchison takes Panama to arbitration after court voids canal port rights

Move comes after Beijing called ruling self-sabotaging and warned Panama would pay heavy political and economic price.

4 Feb 2026 - 6:01PM

China-Australia relations

Why China ties make Darwin Port a bigger test for Australia than Panama

Legal constraints and stronger Beijing-Canberra relations among factors limiting Albanese administration’s options, analysts say.

3 Feb 2026 - 1:58PMvideocam

Hong Kong economy

CK Hutchison faces limited legal options after Panama voids port rights: experts

Beijing will need to step in if the case is to be brought to an international court in The Hague, legal expert tells SCMP.

2 Feb 2026 - 12:32AM

A Panama court ruling has stripped the Hong Kong-based conglomerate’s subsidiary, Panama Ports Company of its right to operate the Balboa and Cristobal terminals. Photo: Reuters

Hong Kong economy

CK Hutchison tipped to sell remaining ports despite Panama court ruling: experts

But effort by billionaire Li Ka-shing’s conglomerate will still face scrutiny from Beijing and deal may be re-evaluated, analysts tell SCMP.

31 Jan 2026 - 11:01PM

A container ship is guided by tugboats at a port in Panama. Photo: Reuters

China-Latin America relations

US hails Panama high court ruling against CK Hutchison’s ports concession

Secretary of State Rubio said the decision was encouraging, as it drew support on Capitol Hill and unease among Chinese-linked firms.

31 Jan 2026 - 5:31AMvideocam

Hong Kong economy

Beijing, Hong Kong slam Panama court ruling on CK Hutchison ports concession

Supreme Court rules port contract of firm’s subsidiary ‘unconstitutional’.

30 Jan 2026 - 11:25PM

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Panama

CK Hutchison subsidiary slams Panama over ‘unnotified intrusion’ at storage site

Panama Ports Company accuses Panamanian authorities of undermining due process with raid, slams earlier takeover of canal ports as ‘illegal’.

Panama raids CK Hutchison subsidiary office, days after taking over canal ports

.css-1m2rp1p{color:#34b8b5;}Opinion | Panama’s ports grab may be politically expedient, but at what cost?

The View | Venezuela and Panama aren’t the whole story of China in Latin America

While recent events highlight the risks in volatile states, China’s position in Latin America is rooted in deep trade and investment links with the region’s largest economies.

Panama’s port takeover ‘culmination of a campaign’ against CK Hutchison

Company says officials entered terminals ‘without invitation’, told staff concession had ended and ordered immediate halt to operations.

Panama ousts Hong Kong operator from canal ports in ruling backed by Washington

White House says Panama’s move to assert sovereignty over Balboa and Cristobal aligns with Donald Trump’s vision for the canal.

US forces board another tanker in Indian Ocean after tracking it from Caribbean

The Veronica III, which sails under the Panamanian flag, is subject to US sanctions related to Iran, the US says.

Editorial | Panama’s U-turn on a business deal under pressure dents investor confidence

Revoking CK Hutchison’s rights to run two canal ports is a decision that not only affects Hong Kong – it strikes at the heart of international commerce.

CK Hutchison pursues ‘all legal options’ on Panama ports, invites consultations

Conglomerate says authorities have ‘advanced steps towards a forced exit’ of Panama Ports Company (PPC) and are preparing to transition port operations.

China vows to ‘do what it can’ as US blockade leaves Cuba with just weeks of oil

Beijing pledges continued support for Cuba and champions Havana’s sovereignty as the island grapples with worsening fuel shortages.

Ports row prompts Hong Kong investors to reassess stakes in Panama: John Lee

City leader also says Hong Kong government fully supports Beijing’s intention to safeguard rights of Chinese enterprises.

China urged to ‘harshly’ punish Panama over court’s canal ruling

Legal analyst says Beijing should ‘consider postponing arrangements’ for Donald Trump’s visit over a ruling against a Hong Kong-based firm.

CK Hutchison set for hard fight to secure Panama port deal compensation: experts

Subsidiary has requested arbitration after Panamanian authorities voided concession contract but securing damages may be difficult, they warn.

Hong Kong summons Panama envoy over court ruling on CK Hutchison ports concession

Commerce minister Algernon Yau says Panama ruling to strip Li Ka-shing firm’s subsidiary of canal port rights ‘undermines’ trade rules.

What’s behind plan to adopt multi-operator model for Panama Canal ports?

Panamanian president reportedly vowed his country will ‘never again’ grant concession contracts to run terminals to single company.

China keeps Cuba and Uruguay in the fold, puts Panama out in the cold

Beijing promises more aid to struggling Havana and cooperation with Montevideo as Washington looks to extend its reach in Latin America.

The options China could take to deal with ‘serious setback’ over Panama Canal

Beijing has a range of possible options after a contract given to Hong Kong firm CK Hutchison was voided by Panama’s Supreme Court.

Panama’s ‘dangerous precedent’: why ports appear pawns as politics top contracts

Panama’s move to void CK Hutchison’s deal fuels fears of broader asset seizures, with analysts warning of rising risks for Chinese operators in the US sphere.

Panama president defends ruling after China slams canal port concession decision

Panamanian President Jose Raul Mulino rejects Chinese criticism, arguing verdict was within Panama’s constitutional and legal framework.

Malaysian waters see return of oil transfer by ‘dark fleet’ of tankers

A crackdown against two vessels off Penang was the first disruption of such a ship-to-ship oil transfer in the state for over 10 years.

US ‘pressure’ a challenge in CK Hutchison’s arbitration against Panama: experts

Case could take years to resolve, whether the Hong Kong conglomerate seeks compensation or ruling invalidating the voiding of its contract.

Panama ports defeat shows China faces tougher test in Latin America

China pushed back after Panama stripped CK Hutchison of two Panama Canal ports as Beijing contends with more active US competition in Latin America.

CK Hutchison takes Panama to arbitration after court voids canal port rights

Move comes after Beijing called ruling self-sabotaging and warned Panama would pay heavy political and economic price.

Why China ties make Darwin Port a bigger test for Australia than Panama

Legal constraints and stronger Beijing-Canberra relations among factors limiting Albanese administration’s options, analysts say.

CK Hutchison faces limited legal options after Panama voids port rights: experts

Beijing will need to step in if the case is to be brought to an international court in The Hague, legal expert tells SCMP.

CK Hutchison tipped to sell remaining ports despite Panama court ruling: experts

But effort by billionaire Li Ka-shing’s conglomerate will still face scrutiny from Beijing and deal may be re-evaluated, analysts tell SCMP.

US hails Panama high court ruling against CK Hutchison’s ports concession

Secretary of State Rubio said the decision was encouraging, as it drew support on Capitol Hill and unease among Chinese-linked firms.

Beijing, Hong Kong slam Panama court ruling on CK Hutchison ports concession

Supreme Court rules port contract of firm’s subsidiary ‘unconstitutional’.

Opinion | Panama’s ports grab may be politically expedient, but at what cost?