Season´s Greetings; Police Seize Over 44,000 Drug Packages in 2025; Health Authorities Warn: No Safe Fireworks for Children; Ministry of Health Alerts on Rise in Respiratory Viruses.

Friday, December 26, 2025. Season´s Greetings As the year comes to a close, I want to take a moment to extend my warmest season’s greetings to our readers, colleagues, partners, and friends. This time of year is meaningful in many different ways across cultures, faiths, and traditions. Whether it is a moment for celebration, reflection, gratitude, renewal, or quiet time with family, it offers us all an opportunity to pause, look back on the year behind us, and look forward with hope to the year ahead. Regardless of how or what you celebrate, I sincerely wish that this season brings you peace, good health, and meaningful moments with those closest to you. May it also offer time to rest, reconnect, and refocus on what truly matters—both personally and professionally. I would also like to express my heartfelt gratitude to Panama and its people for the constant hospitality, warmth, and openness shown to me and my family. From day-to-day kindnesses to a deep sense of community, Panama has welcomed us in ways that go far beyond geography. It is a privilege to live, work, and raise a family in a country that consistently demonstrates generosity of spirit and respect for others. As we move into a new year, I am thankful for the trust, collaboration, and relationships built along the way. Wishing everyone a safe, peaceful, and meaningful holiday season, and a year ahead filled with health, opportunity, and purpose. Brett Mikkelson Director, B.M. Investigations, Inc. – Private Investigations in Panama TOP NEWS and TIDBITS: Immigration Registers High Demand Due to Change of Residency Moratorium The National Immigration Service reported that the high volume of visitors registered at its main office, located on Ricardo J. Alfaro Avenue, is due to the current moratorium period for the change of residency process, which remains in effect until December 31, 2025. This measure has resulted in an increased influx of users seeking to complete their immigration procedures within the established timeframe. “We are working continuously with the objective of providing efficient, orderly, and timely service,” the agency stated. READ ORIGINAL ARTICLE HERE National Police Seize More Than 44,000 Drug Packages During 2025 The National Police reported that, so far in 2025, a total of 44,795 packages of illicit substances have been seized as a result of 19,324 search and seizure operations carried out in different parts of the country, in coordination with the Public Ministry. According to the official report, part of these seizures took place in vehicles modified with hidden compartments, as well as in containers located at ports on both the Atlantic and Pacific coasts, allegedly used for drug trafficking. Regarding operational actions, authorities detailed that during the current year, 62,038 individuals have been apprehended for various offenses. Of this total, 381 correspond to homicide cases, while 14,512 people were detained for administrative violations. Within the framework of the “Safe Year-End 2025” operations, police officers remain deployed across different sectors of the country with the objective of strengthening public security and bringing individuals linked to crimes against collective security, among other offenses, before the competent authorities. READ ORIGINAL ARTICLE HERE Ministry of Health Issues Alert Over Increase in Respiratory Viruses and Calls for Vaccination Reinforcement The Ministry of Health (MINSA) reiterated to the public the importance of reinforcing biosecurity measures in light of the increase in respiratory viruses circulating in the country in recent weeks. According to the latest epidemiological report, Panama has recorded more than 51,000 cases of influenza-like respiratory syndrome so far this year, with active surveillance ongoing for viruses such as Influenza A (H1N1), Influenza A (H3N2) — including its K subclade — parainfluenza, SARS-CoV-2, and Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), the latter having a greater impact on the pediatric population. Influenza: More Than 7,000 Cases and 99 Deaths, According to MINSA Regarding influenza, MINSA reported more than 7,000 cumulative cases and 99 deaths nationwide. Of the total fatalities, 86.9% involved unvaccinated individuals, while 91% had underlying risk factors, highlighting the increased risk of severe complications among those without immunization. Health authorities also confirmed that, to date, three cases of Influenza A (H3N2), K subclade, remain confirmed in the country. Call for Early Detection and Timely Care The Director General of Public Health, Dr. Yelkys Gill, emphasized that continuous epidemiological surveillance enables early detection of circulating viruses and the timely adoption of measures to protect the population. “Permanent surveillance allows us to identify early the respiratory viruses that are circulating and to adopt the necessary measures to protect the population, especially high-risk groups,” the official stated. Dr. Gill urged the public to seek immediate medical attention at health centers if symptoms such as fever, cough, nasal congestion, or breathing difficulties appear, noting that early detection reduces the risk of complications. Recommended Preventive Measures MINSA reiterated the importance of maintaining the following preventive measures: Completing vaccination schedules is especially recommended for: Authorities stressed that vaccination remains the primary tool for protection, particularly against severe cases associated with influenza and other respiratory viruses. READ ORIGINAL ARTICLE HERE Food Poisoning: It’s Best to Trust Your Senses Jorge Jesús Rodríguez, a physician with the Ministry of Health (MINSA), stated that in order to avoid food poisoning during traditional year-end meals, it is important to take certain precautions, noting that the first line of safety is oneself. “The first line of safety, whether eating at home or outside the home, is oneself. In that sense, we must trust our senses. The first is sight—if we see something unusual in the food, it is better not to consume it. The next would be smell,” he emphasized in an interview with Nex Noticias. Rodríguez recalled that there is a certain level of risk when food is left exposed for more than two hours after being prepared and served. He therefore recommended keeping hot foods hot and cold foods cold. The physician identified nausea as the first symptom that something is wrong, followed by vomiting, abdominal pain, increasing diarrhea, fever, and loss of appetite. “These are the