# Panama education procurement investigation

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/panama-education-procurement-investigation
> Updated: 2026-08-17T19:02:43.000Z. Sources: 12. Developments: 2.

Lucy Molinar resigned as Panama’s Minister of Education (Meduca) amid controversy surrounding a multimillion-dollar procurement process for student and teacher laptops. The investigation centers on how the bidding process narrowed from 49 interested parties to a single provider, IS Group. Legislators criticized Molinar’s management regarding budget execution, infrastructure, and teacher appointments, while Molinar stated she sought to clarify the ‘noise’ surrounding the deal.

Following her resignation, Comptroller General Anel Flores announced an audit of the $28.48 million contract for 54,000 laptops. The audit, expected to take approximately six weeks, is reviewing bidding documents and the purchase process for the LIBY model N18-14C units. The Comptroller warned that any findings with ‘criminal character’ will be referred to the Public Prosecutor’s Office.

## Timeline

### 2026-08-17: Panama audits $28.4 million Meduca laptop procurement

Panama is auditing a $28.48 million contract for 54,000 teacher laptops following the resignation of Education Minister Lucy Molinar. Criminal referrals may follow if irregularities are found.

7 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/panama-audits-284-million-meduca-laptop-procurement

### 2026-08-12: Lucy Molinar resigns as Panama Education Minister

Panama's Education Minister Lucy Molinar has resigned amid investigations into a controversial laptop procurement contract and criticisms of her administration's management of the national school system.

8 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/lucy-molinar-resigns-as-panama-minister-of-education

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Cite as: Panama education procurement investigation. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/panama-education-procurement-investigation