The Earthquake Put Panama's Buildings to the Test: Supervision Makes the Difference

The October 9 earthquake caused damage in nine provinces, 27 minor injuries, and no fatalities, according to the Sinaproc (Panama's civil protection system) tally cited by La Prensa. In Panama Province, where the intensity was close to 5, four condominium (PH) buildings suffered minor damage. Early analyses indicate that the performance of skyscrapers, bridges, and highways speaks well of qualified professionals, although specialists see room for improvement in professional practice and in the supervision of construction work.

That is the signal for owners, buyers, and investors. Panama has the REP 2021 structural code, in force since April 2023, but architect Carlos Antonio Solís warns that a building code that regulates how construction work is carried out is also needed. Engineer Ramiro Vargas, of the UTP (Technological University of Panama), adds that many people live in houses built without technical supervision or with risky modifications, and recommends studying the soil, because the same earthquake behaves differently depending on the terrain. MAKOM's conclusion is practical: before buying, renovating, or investing, it pays to verify who designed and supervised the work, what changes were made afterward, and what condition the structure is in. A property with that technical backing better preserves its value and its liquidity.

If you are going to buy, renovate, or manage a property, at MAKOM Capital Group we connect you with qualified professionals for a prior technical review; write to us and we will coordinate your assessment.

SOURCES CONSULTED

La Prensa, “Terremoto en Panamá: lo que revela sobre la seguridad de los edificios” (“Earthquake in Panama: What It Reveals About Building Safety”), October 11, 2026. https://www.prensa.com/locales/terremoto-en-panama-lo-que-revela-sobre-la-seguridad-de-los-edificios/