Missing Persons; National Police and Public Prosecutor’s Office Dismantle International Human Trafficking Network; Science in Panama: $285 Million Invested in Scientific Activities in 2024; What is Pre-Obesity?

Friday, January 17, 2025. One of the most gut-wrenching nightmares imaginable is facing the agony of a missing child. Every missing person case I’ve worked has driven that fear home, putting my own family’s safety into sharp focus. I can’t help but picture my two teenage boys, or my 32-year-old daughter, and feel the gnawing terror parents endure when the unknown swallows their child whole. Experts say the torment of uncertainty often outweighs the grim finality of closure. In those moments, time doesn’t just stop—it implodes. This week, we got hit with one of those cases, but this one had a different edge. A young man in his late 20s decided to drive from Texas to Tijuana. But instead of taking the straightforward route on the U.S. side, he opted for the unpredictable journey along Mexico’s border roads. Day 1 passed without incident. But on Day 2, things took a turn. His texts to his parents became erratic—short, cryptic messages that set off alarm bells. His parents, panicked and helpless, tracked his spending using access to his bank account. The last recorded transactions, placed him near an area where they happened to know someone. While I was chasing down leads through my contacts—trying to determine if he’d been arrested—friends of his family were searching for his vehicle along the desolate roadways. We hit a brick wall when the local police refused to file a missing person report. They wouldn’t even offer basic assistance, leaving the family floundering in a sea of unanswered questions. The situation turned surreal when we confirmed he hadn’t been picked up by the national police, though the possibility remained that he could be held in a municipal jail for 24 to 72 hours. With time slipping through our fingers, every passing moment felt like quicksand. Then came a break: we learned his vehicle had been towed to an impound lot. Relief was short-lived—the authorities refused to share more details. The way they brushed off the urgency raised a red flag in my mind. Did they know something they weren’t telling us? But the real twist came when a new charge appeared on his debit card, nearly 24 hours after all communication had ceased. At first, we thought it might be thieves splurging on personal items—but no. The card was used at an OXXO convenience store for a purchase of less than $2. Then, minutes later, it was used to pay for a hotel room. Thieves don’t use stolen cards for hotels—they know better than to leave a trail like that. Armed with this intel, the family acted fast. They called the hotel, heart pounding, and finally got confirmation: their son was there. No car. No phone. No suitcase. Just him, his wallet, and his Chihuahua, “Taco.” The adrenaline surged, but so did the questions. Why had he gone silent? What had happened in the last 48 hours? Why did he abandon his car?  And why was he still alive to tell the tale when so many aren’t as lucky? We were lucky. This case could have ended much differently. Mexico has reported over 116,000 individuals as missing. While about 65% of missing persons are eventually located, either alive or deceased, around 35% remain unaccounted for. Adding to this grim reality, the country faces a forensic crisis with an estimated 52,000 unidentified remains. It’s a staggering reminder of the countless families left without answers, grappling with the agonizing unknown. So, what should someone do if their loved one goes missing in a place like Mexico? Hire a professional private investigator immediately. So many rely on local law enforcement, but in many cases, they’ll show desinterest.  And sometimes as in this case, they won’t even entertain a missing person’s report.  Time is of the essence, and every second counts. A professional PI has the experience, local contacts, and urgency that traditional authorities may lack, making us vital allies in the fight to bring someone home. TOP NEWS and TIDBITS: National Police and Public Prosecutor’s Office Dismantle International Human Trafficking Network In a joint operation between the National Police and the Public Prosecutor’s Office, called “Operation Red Claw,” multiple raids were carried out in various areas of the capital city with the objective of capturing suspected migrant traffickers. The detainees are allegedly linked to an international network that facilitates the irregular entry of Vietnamese citizens into the United States. Authorities Dismantle Migrant Trafficking Network Authorities reported that the operation is part of an extensive investigation that has identified members of the criminal organization dedicated to the illicit trafficking of people. During the raids, crucial evidence was seized, strengthening the charges against those involved. The operation remains ongoing as authorities continue gathering information and expanding their investigations. READ ORIGINAL ARTICLE HERE What is Pre-Obesity? The New WHO Classification Beyond the Body Mass Index Overweight and obesity are diseases that continue to affect the Panamanian population and are major contributors to other chronic conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, bone health issues, and an increased risk of developing certain types of cancer. However, the World Health Organization (WHO) has introduced a new weight-related classification: pre-obesity. This classification is determined using the Body Mass Index (BMI). When a person’s BMI is between 25 and 29.9, they are categorized as overweight or pre-obese. While this range overlaps with what is traditionally considered overweight, pre-obesity specifically refers to individuals who are on the brink of obesity if preventive measures are not taken. According to Nilka López from the National Department of Nutritional Health, 35% of the Panamanian population is obese, while an additional 72% is overweight. This means that 7 out of 10 Panamanians are dealing with excess weight. López emphasized the importance of prevention, recommending a healthy diet and regular exercise to combat these statistics. Of particular concern is the growing prevalence of overweight and obesity among those under 18 years old and even among children under 5 years old. “Children mimic what their parents do, so we must teach them about