The Sacred Bond; Panama Canal Reservoirs Reach Historic Levels; Rising Oil Prices Increase Strategic Value of the Interoceanic Route; Panama and Chile Strengthen Business Cooperation.

Friday, March 13, 2026. The Sacred Bond Last weekend, someone very dear to the BM Investigations family took one of the most meaningful and transformative steps in life. Yolanda Atencio—whose dedication, organization, and quiet discipline help bring order and clarity to our work each week, including the very bulletin you are reading—entered into marriage with Exiel Santos. Throughout life we pursue many things: achievements, recognition, possessions, and ambitions that at the time seem urgent. Yet with the passage of time, we come to realize that the most important structures we build are not made of titles or material accomplishments, but of relationships—bonds that give direction, stability, and purpose to our lives. Marriage is one of those exceptional bonds. In its deepest sense, marriage is not simply the union of two people through affection, but the conscious decision to intertwine two lives along the same path. It is accepting that the future—whatever it may hold—will no longer be faced alone. It is the quiet promise that joys will be shared, burdens will be carried together, and that two people united can become stronger than either could ever be alone. Such a commitment demands more than love; it demands character. It requires patience when circumstances test us, humility when pride could divide us, and loyalty when the world encourages us to think only of ourselves. In this sense, marriage is not only a celebration of the present, but also an act of faith in the future. Those of us who know Yolanda understand well the virtues she brings to this sacred union: integrity, loyalty, human warmth, and a deep sense of responsibility toward those around her. These are no small virtues. They are the true foundations upon which strong families and lasting homes are built. For this reason, as Yolanda begins this new chapter of her life alongside her husband Exiel, we pause not only to congratulate her, but also to recognize something deeper: the birth of a new alliance, a shared destiny, and a home that will be built day by day through commitment, respect, and love. Yolanda, for some time now you have been an essential part of the spirit and rhythm of this organization. For that reason, we dedicate this edition to you and to the new life you have begun. May the years ahead strengthen the bond you have formed, may your home be filled with joy and peace, and may the path you now walk together be long, meaningful, and full of purpose. Congratulations to you both. Brett Mikkelson Director, B.M. Investigations, Inc. – Private Investigations in Panama Comic Spotlight: Don’t miss The Mikkelson Files: #4 – The Case of The Couch Conspiracy , featured at the end of this article. TOP NEWS and TIDBITS: Panama Canal Reservoirs Reach Historic Water Levels The Panama Canal Authority reported that the reservoirs supplying the Panama Canal have reached historic levels for the month of March, ensuring stable operations for the interoceanic waterway that carries between 5% and 6% of global maritime trade. The start of 2026 has been positive from a hydrological perspective. High water levels in Gatun Lake and Alajuela Lake—the two main reservoirs feeding the canal—have strengthened the system, according to Ayax Murillo, Hydrology Manager at the Panama Canal Authority, in an interview with the newspaper La Prensa. “For the first time in recorded history, the water levels of Gatun and Alajuela reservoirs for the month of March are the highest ever registered in the hydrological history of the Panama Canal (…) Our water reserves are sufficiently robust to face the remainder of the 2026 dry season,” Murillo explained. In terms of capacity, the Alajuela reservoir is operating at approximately 99% of its capacity, while Gatun exceeds 90%. These levels allow the canal to operate without restrictions and maintain the maximum permitted draft for vessels. As of Monday, March 9, Gatun Lake recorded a water level of 88.32 feet (26.92 meters), close to its operational maximum of 88.93 feet (27.10 meters). Meanwhile, Alajuela Lake stood at 251.52 feet (76.66 meters), near its maximum operational level of 252 feet (76.81 meters). Due to the recent rise in water levels, the canal has conducted several controlled water releases at the Gatun and Madden dams in November and again in February. Currently, traffic through the Panama Canal averages between 38 and 40 vessel transits per day through the lock system. Murillo also noted that February 2026 was the wettest February recorded in the canal’s more than 132 years of hydrological records, due to unusual rainfall in the watershed. Water Consumption for Canal Operations The canal’s operation depends on enormous volumes of freshwater. Each Panamax-type vessel that crosses the waterway uses approximately 200 million liters of water, released from the reservoirs during the lockage process. With roughly 40 daily transits, the canal uses around 10 billion liters of water per day to move ships between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. Additional pressures also affect the water supply. Evaporation from the lakes can result in losses of 1.5 to 2 cubic hectometers per day, equivalent to roughly 2 billion liters of water daily, especially during the dry season when solar radiation and winds intensify. Water Supply for the Population Beyond maritime transit, the canal’s reservoirs also supply drinking water to a large portion of the country. Between eight and nine water treatment plants currently draw raw water from Gatun and Alajuela lakes. New facilities are also planned, which will increase demand for freshwater resources. For that reason, authorities emphasize the importance of developing a new reservoir through the proposed Rio Indio dam project. Potential Threat Beginning in May Despite the current abundance of water, the canal continues implementing conservation measures while closely monitoring climate conditions. Since December 2025, the canal has applied operational strategies that save more than one billion liters of water per day at the locks, preparing for the possible development of the climate phenomenon El Niño during the second half of 2026, which could bring drier conditions to