Panama grounding drones during summit

PANAMA CITY – Panama’s government is banning drones from national airspace immediately before, during and after next week’s Summit of the Americas.

Civil Aeronautics Director Rafael Fonseca Mora said the ban will be in effect beginning today, until April 13. He said the prohibition was instituted for security reasons and it also would prevent problems for incoming and outgoing flights carrying leaders attending the gathering.

U.S. President Barack Obama is among at least 30 regional leaders who are expected at the summit being held in Panama City on Friday and Saturday.