LatinNews Daily - 28 September 2026

*Panama’s Labour Minister Jackeline Muñoz has announced the suspension of works to build a fourth bridge over the Panama Canal which is being undertaken by Chinese consortium Consorcio Panamá Cuarto Puente (CPCP), comprising state-owned China Communications Construction Company (CCCC) and China Harbour Engineering Company (Chec). This is due to safety concerns after an accident which took place on 24 September involving a worker who fell two metres from platform, who is now receiving medical care. Muñoz told reporters that three people had already died since works on the construction project officially began in March 2024. In a statement, Panama’s public works ministry (MOP) announced that it had instructed CPCP to address and implement labour security changes required by the labour ministry (Mitradel) after which it would have to request that Mitradel carry out a new inspection to verify whether these requirements have been met. If it is found that these requirements have been met, works may resume on the project, which includes the construction of the main bridge, viaducts, and interchanges on both ends and, according to Chec is “currently the largest single bridge project undertaken by a Chinese enterprise in Latin America, and the most significant economic and trade collaboration between China and Panama to date”. According to Chec, upon completion, it will transform mobility for over two million people, “offering faster and more efficient access between Panama City and the country’s interior”. The latest update from MOP on 23 September said that the project was 41% complete and was on track to be ready by December 2028.

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