Panamanian court halts activity at Bridge of the Americas site

A Panamanian Guarantee Court has ordered the suspension of all projects, reconstructions, or activities at the site of the demolished Bridge of the Americas lookout point. This judicial decision follows a request from the Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office as part of an investigation into Arraiján Mayor Stefany Peñalba.

The investigation stems from the demolition of a monument commemorating 150 years of Chinese presence in Panama on December 27, 2025. Mayor Peñalba defended the demolition as a “technical and preventive” measure intended to protect public safety due to alleged structural risks. However, the Chinese community and the Chinese Embassy in Panama have rejected the action, stating they were not consulted.

The court has applied unnamed conservatory measures under Article 270 of the Criminal Procedure Code, prohibiting any intervention at the site while authorities determine if criminal offenses, such as abuse of authority or crimes against public administration, were committed. Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino has described the mayor's actions as “unforgivable.”