Tocumen International Airport, Panama's primary aviation hub, is gradually resuming operations following Friday's powerful earthquake, though recurring aftershocks have left some passengers stranded at the terminals.
The airport said on Saturday in a statement that takeoffs and landings are temporarily suspended whenever an aftershock occurs to allow inspections of runways, taxiways, aprons and other airport facilities.
Flights operated by Copa Airlines, which is based at Tocumen, are affected the most, with multiple flights to various destinations canceled or delayed, leaving some passengers stranded.
Among them is Brazilian traveler Camila. She and her friends missed their connecting flight because of delays.
"We've rebooked for a flight tomorrow morning. Now our plan is to depart tomorrow. We're still checking if there's a flight tonight, but I don't think there's much hope," said Camila.
Mexican traveler Andrea and her family members were originally scheduled to transit through the Tocumen Airport on Saturday to Santiago, Chile, but their flight was canceled following the earthquake. They have been rebooked onto a flight departing at noon on Monday. Without Panamanian visas, however, they have to stay at the airport for two nights.
"We can't leave the airport because doing so without a visa would be illegal. We can't leave to get a meal or find accommodation. To be honest, sleeping at the airport is really tough. It's too cold. The whole experience has been exhausting, painful and stressful," she said.
The quake jolted Panama shortly after midday Friday, with its epicenter about 39 kilometers northwest of Tonosi in Los Santos Province.
The U.S. Geological Survey initially reported the earthquake at magnitude 8, then revised it to 7.6 and later to 7.7.
The tremor left dozens injured and damaged hundreds of homes and infrastructure across the region, prompting the government to declare a national state of emergency over the weekend.
Panama's main airport gradually resumes operation as quake leaves passengers stranded
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky voiced support Monday for the "energy ceasefire" initiative announced by U.S. President Donald Trump, saying that the proposal creates a viable path toward halting attacks on energy infrastructure.
Trump announced an immediate "energy ceasefire" between Russia and Ukraine on Sunday.
"Effective immediately," Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform, adding that "both parties have agreed."
The declaration came just two days after Trump unveiled a diesel supply deal with Russia.
"If Russia does not agree to an energy ceasefire, we will respond," Zelensky said on Monday.
As part of a reciprocal exchange, Zelensky said, Ukraine would be willing to halt strikes on Russian diesel infrastructure if Ukrainian energy facilities receive security guarantees and are spared from Russian attacks.
On the same day, Ukraine's state-run energy company Naftogaz said that Russian forces launched a drone strike early Monday morning against natural gas production facilities in the Kharkiv region.
The airstrike damaged critical equipment, sparked a fire, and disrupted the normal operations of the facility. Emergency crews were dispatched to the site to carry out repairs, restore damaged systems, and handle the aftermath of the blaze, according to Naftogaz.
Russian authorities have not yet responded to the incident.
On Saturday, Trump said Russia was willing to reach a deal to end the conflict in Ukraine but accused Zelensky of resisting a negotiated settlement. He also called on Ukraine to hold an election and choose a new leader who could make a deal with Moscow.
In response to Trump's remarks, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Sunday that it is vital for Moscow to see political will within the Kiev regime to accept reality and advance a peaceful settlement to the conflict.
Zelensky responded on Sunday that he would call a vote if Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed to a 60-day ceasefire, and that it was "up to Ukrainians" to choose their leader. Presidential elections, originally due in 2024, have been postponed under martial law.
The dispute over the ceasefire comes as rising energy prices have become a growing political concern for Trump ahead of the U.S. midterm elections.
On Friday, Trump announced a deal with Putin under which Russia would supply diesel fuel to the United States and global markets. Trump described it as a necessary step to bring down soaring diesel prices, which he attributed largely to Ukrainian strikes on Russian energy infrastructure.
Zelensky rejected the suggestion that he was responsible for rising energy prices, saying that "everybody in the world" knew that the war in the Middle East was a bigger factor.
Ukraine says it backs U.S. 'energy ceasefire' initiative
Ukraine says it backs U.S. 'energy ceasefire' initiative
