ARIAS, FABREGA & FABREGA

Hoy en ARIFA, nuestro equipo de Litigio y Arbitraje organizó un conversatorio arbitral titulado "ICDR: Innovación, Reglas y Perspectivas Futuras en el Arbitraje Internacional". Tuvimos el honor de contar con Ana Lombardía, Directora de International Centre for Dispute Resolution® (ICDR) como panelista invitada, y con nuestro socio Claudio De Castro, como moderador del evento. Esta jornada brindó una oportunidad para compartir perspectivas sobre el futuro del arbitraje internacional, además de fomentar el networking y el intercambio de ideas entre colegas y expertos del sector. Agradecemos a todos los asistentes por su participación. Fernando Aued, Isabella de la Guardia, Juan Pablo Benavides, Mariel Núñez Choy, Diego Marín, Jorge Escalona FCIArb, Mariel I. Padilla Castañedas

ARIFA is pleased to announce its role in representing the sellers of La Hipotecaria (Holding), Inc.—the holding company of Banco La Hipotecaria, S.A.—in the negotiation and execution of a share purchase agreement for the sale of their 100% equity stake to Inversiones Cuscatlán Centroamérica, S.A., a regional leader in the banking and insurance sectors. ARIFA´s team for this transaction included our lead partner Andres Rubinoff, with assistance from partner Javier Yap Endara, and key contributions from senior associate Daniela Delvalle, and associate Nicolás A. Ramos. We congratulate both parties on this significant milestone and are honored by the trust placed by Banco La Hipotecaria and its shareholders in our cross-border M&A team.

Nuestro socio y presidente de la Comisión de Comercio y Prácticas Mercantiles de ICC Panamá, Fernando Aued, junto a nuestro socio Claudio De Castro y nuestra asociada Mariel Núñez Choy, participaron en el cóctel navideño organizado por esta agrupación en las terrazas del Club Unión. Una excelente oportunidad para fortalecer relaciones profesionales y celebrar los logros del año en compañía de colegas y amigos. #ICCPanamá Claudio De Castro,Fernando Aued, Mariel Núñez Choy, Maitté Rodríguez Sousa-Lennox, Ana Belén De Castro Ros-Zanet, Ricardo E. Arosemena Callan, Dayra Castañedas López, Miriam Giselle Figueroa, Esteban Lopez

We are pleased to announce that Daniela Delvalle has been promoted to Senior Associate. Daniela joined ARIFA in 2019, serving corporate clients across various areas, including banking and finance, securities regulation, mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, taxation, and corporate law. She holds a Master of Laws in Taxation from Georgetown University Law Center, a Master in Laws and Finance from the University of Oxford (Chevening Scholar), a Bachelor of Laws from Santa Maria la Antigua University, and a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Virginia, with a double major in Foreign Affairs and Economics. Daniela has been recognized as a leading associate in corporate and M&A law, in Panama, by Legal 500 Latin America (2025). This promotion reflects ARIFA’s commitment to recognize the professionalism and excellence of its legal team.

We are pleased to announce that Isabella de la Guardia has been promoted to international senior associate. Isabella joined ARIFA in 2022, serving corporate clients across various areas, including banking and finance, mergers and acquisitions, and dispute resolution. After working seven years in Baker & McKenzie’s Dispute Resolution Group in Miami, Isabella gained extensive experience in international arbitration, compliance and government enforcement matters. Isabella holds a Juris Doctor from Boston College Law School, and a Bachelor of Science in Foreign Service from Georgetown University. She has been recognized as a leading associate in corporate and M&A law, in Panama, by Legal 500 Latin America (2025). This promotion reflects ARIFA’s commitment to recognize the professionalism and excellence of its legal team.

ARIFA acted as legal counsel to BICSA (Banco Internacional de Costa Rica). in connection with the cross-border public issuance by Hospital Hotel La Católica, S.A. Class E Preferred Shares, convertible into Class B Common Shares, registered with the Superintendence of Capital Markets of Panama and Latin American Stock Exchange (Bolsa Latinoamericana de Valores Latinex). This cross-border transaction, valued at up to $30 million, aims to strengthen the hospital’s capital structure and finance its growth in health and hospital services. Hospital Hotel La Católica, S.A. is the holding company of Hospital Internacional La Católica, a leading hospital in Costa Rica.   ARIFA’s team, led by Estif Aparicio, head of the Capital Markets practice and complemented by our international senior associate Cedric Kinschots and associate Daniel Abad, navigated intricate regulatory requirements, including detailed risk factor disclosures and the adaptation of international best practices.

ARIFA acted as local counsel to Yamasa Sangyo Aircraft CMP2 Kumiai, as lessor, and BNP Paribas, New York Branch, as security agent, in the financing and structure of certain operating leases related to the second of six (6) deliveries of Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircrafts to Copa Airlines, the largest Panamanian airline and most important in Latin America. Pilar Castillo, Isabella de la Guardia

ARIFA is proud to announce its representation of Tropical Energies Corporation (Trenco), alongside Insignia Financial Group, in acquiring a significant stake in Carib LPG Trading Ltd. (Carib), a company specializing in the trading and supply of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG). This strategic acquisition enhances Trenco's presence in a key energy sector and aligns with its growth and diversification strategy in the Caribbean and Central American markets. We extend our congratulations to Trenco on this important milestone and appreciate their trust in our services.   Read more about this transaction here: https://lnkd.in/e9SNE9Cb, https://lnkd.in/dTSXNtJ8 Andres Rubinoff, Javier Yap Endara, Isabella de la Guardia

As we wrap up 2024, we would like to take a moment to express our most heartfelt regards to our friends and clients. We wish you a joyous holiday season and a prosperous New Year!

Miembros de nuestro equipo legal participaron en el Members' Recognition & Networking Event - End of Year Cocktail de AmCham Panama. El evento, presidido por Jean Pierre de Roux, presidente de AmCham Panamá, y con la participación especial de John Barrett, chief of mission de la Embajada de los Estados Unidos, destacó la importancia de fortalecer los lazos comerciales y diplomáticos entre Estados Unidos y Panamá. Agradecemos a AmCham por la organización de este gran evento. Fernando Arias, Javier Yap Endara, Pilar Castillo, Fernando Aued, Laura Arango, Maitté Rodríguez Sousa-Lennox, Alyssa Lince Boyd, Luis H. Moreno IV