Happy New Year; Panama Secures US$1.9 Billion World Bank Loan; 2026 World Cup Breaks Ticket Demand Records; Panama Closes 2025 with Record Tourism and Events.

Friday, January 2, 2026. Happy New Year to our Readers, Colleagues, and Friends As we step into 2026, we do so with gratitude, perspective, and renewed determination. The past year challenged us in meaningful ways, none more so than the effort required to establish our new office. Building something the right way is never easy, and the process tested our patience, discipline, and resolve. But those challenges also strengthened our foundation and clarified our direction. Leadership, after all, requires action and the willingness to move forward even when the outcome is not guaranteed. As Peter Drucker wisely said, “The best way to predict the future is to create it.” That belief continues to guide our decisions as we invest in growth, innovation, and the people who make our work possible. Looking ahead, our hope for 2026 is continued, sustainable growth, not only for our organization, but for our clients, partners, and the communities we serve. We remain committed to professionalism, integrity, and delivering real value in every engagement. Thank you for your trust, your support, and for being part of our journey. May the year ahead bring clarity, progress, and success for all of us. Happy New Year. Brett Mikkelson Director, B.M. Investigations, Inc. – Private Investigations in Panama TOP NEWS and TIDBITS: Influenza Leaves 99 Dead So Far in 2025, According to a Ministry of Health (MINSA) Report Influenza-related deaths in the country increased to 99, according to the most recent report from the Ministry of Health, corresponding to Epidemiological Week No. 50, indicating that 2025 would close with that total number of deaths associated with the disease. According to the Department of Epidemiology, during the week of December 7 to 13, 2025, one new influenza-related death was reported, in addition to the update of one death corresponding to Week 48, bringing the annual total to 99 fatalities. Of the total number of deaths, 86.9% (86) had not been vaccinated against influenza, while 91% (91) had risk factors, including age-related conditions, metabolic diseases, cardiovascular diseases, immunosuppression, neurological conditions, and respiratory diseases. Other respiratory diseases Regarding influenza-like illness, during Epidemiological Week 50, 984 cases were recorded, with a rate of 21.5 per 100,000 inhabitants. So far in 2025, the cumulative total stands at 52,281 cases, with a rate of 1,144.3. Meanwhile, Severe Acute Respiratory Infections (SARI), which include bronchopneumonia and pneumonia, reported 545 cases during the analyzed week, with a rate of 11.9 per 100,000 inhabitants. The annual cumulative total reached 20,375 cases. Dengue and malaria with more cases nationwide The epidemiological report details that no Zika cases were reported during Week 50, maintaining a cumulative total of 2 cases in 2025. In the case of dengue, up to Epidemiological Week No. 50, a total of 15,657 cumulative cases were recorded nationwide, of which 13,880 were without warning signs, 1,670 with warning signs, and 107 corresponded to severe dengue. For chikungunya, no new cases were reported during the week; however, four cases from previous weeks were updated, bringing the annual total to 35 cases. Leishmaniasis reported 23 cases during the current week, with a cumulative total of 1,439 cases in 2025. Additionally, 115 malaria cases were reported, for a cumulative total of 11,037 cases during the year. Four deaths remain on record, all in women between 14 and 94 years of age, registered in the regions of Eastern Panama (2), Veraguas (1), and Darién (1). Regarding Oropouche virus disease, one new case was reported in Eastern Panama, along with the update of three cases from previous weeks in Eastern Panama and Coclé, reaching a national cumulative total of 694 cases in 2025. Other diseases As for hantavirus fever, no cases were reported during Week 50, maintaining a cumulative total of 27 cases for the year. Hantavirus cardiopulmonary syndrome reports 22 cumulative cases. Leptospirosis totals 90 cases so far in 2025, while human screwworm cases have reached a cumulative total of 114 cases. For monkeypox (Mpox), no cases were reported during Epidemiological Week 50, maintaining a total of 16 cases in 2025. MINSA urges stricter hygiene measures Meanwhile, the Ministry of Health reiterated the importance of community participation and the support of local governments to reduce the spread of diseases, and called on the population to maintain preventive measures such as frequent handwashing, use of alcohol-based hand sanitizer, wearing face masks, seeking medical attention when symptoms appear, covering coughs or sneezes, avoiding self-medication, and promptly visiting the nearest healthcare facility. READ ORIGINAL ARTICLE HERE Chinese Association Calls for Investigation into the Demolition of the Bridge of the Americas Monument The Chinese Association of Panama formally requested an investigation into the procedure used to demolish the monument located at the Bridge of the Americas viewpoint, which was built in honor of workers of Chinese origin, and called for the structure to be rebuilt at the same site. The organization’s spokesperson, Esteban Cheung, questioned the safety-risk argument put forward by the Mayor’s Office of Arraiján and stated that the Chinese community had been offering support for the maintenance of the park since March, without receiving any response. “That safety-related argument is difficult for us to believe. Until yesterday, tourists were still visiting the park. Since March, we had been requesting collaboration in order to make our contribution,” Cheung said. They point to lack of communication and due process The spokesperson explained that attempts to establish communication with the Mayor’s Office of Arraiján began in June of last year, although it was not until March of this year that they were finally able to meet with municipal authorities. During that meeting, representatives of the community submitted a request for a 20-year renewal of the land-use permit, along with a formal maintenance proposal, in light of the evident deterioration of the area. Cheung noted that the community reiterated its willingness to cooperate on three additional dates—April 23, June 19, and July 1—without receiving any response. “We did not receive any response until last night, through an action we consider arbitrary and surprising. There was