Panama Canal & Shipping: Bulker transits through the Panama Canal fell 22% year-on-year as competition for transit slots intensifies and El Niño threatens lower water levels, while Hapag-Lloyd warns new draft and capacity limits are driving delays, reduced cargo loads, and higher costs. El Niño Food & Water Stress: El Niño-linked drought in Central America is fueling a food crisis affecting 10 million people in the Dry Corridor, and in Panama farmers report planting disruptions and earlier dry-season water worries. Cybersecurity: ESET reports China-aligned FamousSparrow has shifted to a new backdoor, SparroWocky, targeting government entities across Latin America including Panama, after exploiting public-facing Microsoft Exchange servers. Connectivity & Telecom: Starlink Mobile launched in Panama via +Móvil, bringing direct-to-phone satellite messaging and maps/SMS to rural, maritime, and tourism areas. Security & Drones: The U.S. delivered four K1000 long-range drones to Panama’s Senan for surveillance in border and maritime zones, tied to anti-trafficking operations. Economy & Logistics: Panama’s Q2 2026 GDP grew 6.4%, with transportation, storage, and logistics up 12.8%—a key tailwind for the Canal-linked economy. Climate Finance: The Coalition to Grow Carbon Markets named Lindy Fursman as executive director of its secretariat ahead of Climate Week NYC, with Panama among member countries.