Dear Friends and Family; President Mulino Confirms New Prosecutors and Magistrates of the Electoral Tribunal; Panama Takes Seat on the UN Security Council; Christmas Trees: Dates and Where They Will Be Accepted.

Friday, January 3rd, 2025. Dear Friends and Family, As the curtain falls on 2024 and we prepare to embrace 2025, I’m reminded of the opportunity the New Year gives us—a moment to reflect on who we’ve been and to plan our 365-day path toward becoming better people. Each year offers a chance to grow, to strive, and to build the lives we envision for ourselves and those we love. This year, I’ve challenged myself to grow in several areas: That’s my list—my roadmap to becoming a better version of myself. Now, I ask you: How will you challenge yourself to be better in 2025? Together, let’s step into the New Year with intention, courage, and gratitude. May 2025 bring you health, happiness, and fulfillment in all you aspire to achieve. Let’s support each other in reaching our goals and becoming the best versions of ourselves. With love and optimism for a wonderful year ahead,Brett TOP NEWS and TIDBITS: President Mulino Confirms New Prosecutors and Magistrates of the Electoral Tribunal President José Raúl Mulino, as part of the activities held on January 2, formalized the confirmation of the new prosecutors, the new magistrate of the Electoral Tribunal (TE), and his alternate. The appointments include Luis Carlos Gómez (Attorney General), Grettel Villalaz (Prosecutor for the Administration), Narciso Arellano Moreno (Magistrate of the Electoral Tribunal), and María Eugenia Pérez (Alternate Magistrate of the TE), the latter replacing Eduardo Valdés Escoffery. Mulino was accompanied by the Minister of the Presidency, Juan Carlos Orillac, during the signing of these confirmations for the new officials, who will serve a 10-year term. In his remarks after signing the contracts for the new officials, the president stated that a historic cycle begins, guided by the law and the constitution, with these appointments. He expressed confidence that the appointees would fulfill their duties in strict adherence to the law and the nation’s interests. He also urged the new Prosecutor for the Administration, Grettel Villalaz, to review legislation related to restructuring the civil service career system, the state’s procurement system, and all matters concerning public administration, which he described as “a general disaster.” Regarding Attorney General Luis Carlos Gómez, Mulino noted that he is stepping into a role that has been vacant for 10 years without an independent Attorney General’s Office. He criticized the past practice of determining cases from the presidential office, which he said was more about targeting individuals than delivering justice. “This is a very tough mission, and I thank the Attorney General for accepting it because it will be ungrateful, misunderstood, and misinterpreted. But as I said, neither you nor any of the authorities tasked with administering justice have any constraints other than the constraint of your conscience in alignment with the Constitution,” Mulino stated. For the new magistrates of the Electoral Tribunal, Mulino noted that these appointments break the mold, as since 1990, presidents have typically appointed members of their political party to this institution. He urged them to help reform electoral laws, which he said have been distorted over time. He emphasized that soon an announcement will be made regarding the start of the process to amend the Electoral Code. Mulino stated that the Presidency would appoint individuals with electoral expertise to ensure the next elections are conducted “without turmoil and electoral misconduct.” “From the aberration of the slate vote allowed for independent candidates to the near manipulation used to block my presidential candidacy in collusion,” Mulino said. He concluded by highlighting that the country would be closely watching the new officials as they undertake their challenging task. He referred to this as part of “The Reform of the State,” affirming that the country’s legal and political system collapsed long ago and is non-functional. READ ORIGINAL ARTICLE HERE The CSS Will Launch the “My Digital Account” Portal to Verify Contributors’ Account Statements Next Tuesday, January 7, the Social Security Fund (CSS) will launch “My Digital Account,” a platform that will allow contributors to view all the contributions they have made during their working life, their account statements, the number of contributions, the system they belong to, and even calculate their retirement amount. In addition to serving as a consultation platform, users will also be able to request corrections. READ ORIGINAL ARTICLE HERE Panama Takes Seat on the UN Security Council Panama made history by assuming a two-year term as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council on Thursday, January 2, 2025. In a solemn ceremony at the entrance of the UN headquarters in New York, Panama’s Ambassador to the UN, Eloy Alfaro, emphasized Panama’s sovereignty over the Canal in a speech that addressed key issues for both the nation and the international community. During his speech, Alfaro took six minutes to highlight the importance of the Panama Canal, a strategic infrastructure for global trade that, since its handover to Panama in 1979, has been managed without foreign interference. “For 25 years, the Canal has been managed sovereignly and efficiently, without interference from any other country or global power,” said Eloy Alfaro, Permanent Ambassador of Panama to the UN. “We are aware that we will be judged harshly if we do not stand on the right side of history, defending the goals and principles of the United Nations Charter,” he added, emphasizing Panama’s commitment to multilateralism and sovereignty. Panama and its Role in the Security CouncilPanama assumes its position on the Security Council alongside Greece, Denmark, Pakistan, and Somalia, replacing Ecuador, Mozambique, Malta, Japan, and Switzerland. “The world can count on Panama as a constructive partner that builds bridges for the work ahead in the Security Council over the next two years. With this goal, we intend to enhance our country’s traditional role as a promoter of dialogue, mediation, and reconciliation in international affairs. We are aware that we will be judged severely if we do not position ourselves on the right side of history, defending the purposes and principles of the UN Charter,” Alfaro stated. The ceremony included the placement of the