Understanding Patience; Cobre Panamá and Mining Role; Fuel Relief for Transport Operators; Possible Arrival of El Niño

Friday, March 27, 2026. Understanding Patience This week, I found myself reflecting on patience, not as a concept, but as a test. It’s easy to believe we are patient people. In calm moments, we all are. But patience doesn’t reveal itself in comfort; it shows up when we’re pressed, when we’re late, when traffic won’t move, when someone in front of us slows us down and we feel that quiet irritation begin to rise. The other evening, I witnessed that moment in a different setting. Someone was making an honest effort to speak, to contribute, to be part of something meaningful. It wasn’t perfect. It took time. And you could feel the room begin to tighten with impatience. I’ve been there before, on both sides of it. But this time, something changed. Instead of focusing on the delay, I focused on the effort. On the fact that this person stood up and tried. And in that shift, the frustration dissolved. In its place came something far more useful… understanding… and a quiet respect. What struck me most was that this wasn’t just a thought, it was physical. I could actually feel the change within me. A reminder that patience is not passive; it is a discipline. It is a decision made in real time, often against our instincts. The Stoics speak of control and of recognizing what is within our power and what is not. We cannot control how fast someone speaks, how traffic moves, or how others perform under pressure. But we can control how we respond. And in that space, patience becomes more than tolerance, it becomes character. Because the truth is simple… every one of us will, at some point, be the person who is struggling, the one taking too long, the one hoping others will give us a little grace. And maybe that’s the real lesson. Patience is not about waiting, it’s about understanding. It’s about choosing, in small moments, to be the kind of person we ourselves would hope to encounter when we are not at our best. Brett Mikkelson Director, B.M. Investigations, Inc. – Private Investigations in Panama Comic Spotlight: Don’t miss The Mikkelson Files: #6 – The Case of The Silent Partner. TOP NEWS and TIDBITS: Fuel in Panama: Government Evaluates Relief Program for Transport Operators The Government of Panama is evaluating the implementation of an economic relief program aimed at the transportation sector, with the goal of preventing rising fuel prices from directly impacting consumers’ pockets. This was confirmed by the Minister of Economy and Finance, Felipe Chapman, who explained that the measure seeks to maintain current fare rates. Covering fuel increases, not freezing pricesChapman emphasized the focus of the plan: “This is not about freezing prices, it is about covering the increase.” The program would be designed to offset rising fuel costs without passing that burden on to end users. To implement the program, the government requires transport operators to provide detailed information, including: This data will allow authorities to assess the real impact and determine the level of financial support needed. Objective: maintain faresThe Executive Branch aims to ensure: “We are talking about a relief program to ensure that fares do not increase nationwide,” the minister reiterated. The plan is still under review and will depend on the technical information provided by the transportation sector for its implementation. READ ORIGINAL ARTICLE HERE Icaza Rules Out Risks from Arrival of U.S. Aircraft Carrier in Panama and Says It Will Not Transit the Canal The Minister for Canal Affairs, José Ramón Icaza, stated that the arrival of a U.S. aircraft carrier and a destroyer in Panamanian waters does not represent any risk to the country, amid concerns related to the international context. According to Icaza, the presence of these vessels is part of a routine voyage within a broader regional itinerary prior to their deployment.“There is nothing to worry about. This is part of a normal journey, like any other naval group that passes through our country,” he said. The minister explained that the ships will not transit the Panama Canal due to their size and will instead continue their route toward South America, making stops in various countries before returning to the United States after passing through the Strait of Magellan. Icaza indicated that the vessel is expected to remain in waters near Panama until April 1, after which it will continue its regional itinerary. International context and message of reassuranceIn response to concerns about the presence of such vessels at a time when the United States is involved in conflicts in the Middle East, the official reiterated that there is no cause for alarm for the Panamanian population.“There is nothing to worry about with this voyage,” he insisted, emphasizing that such movements are routine within international naval operations. Defense of national interestsOn another matter, Icaza addressed the State’s strategy regarding legal proceedings involving Panama Ports Company, stating that Panama is prepared to defend its interests.“Panama is preparing to defend the country’s interests, and we will do so in accordance with what is established in the arbitration process,” he said. The minister added that the government will respect the ongoing legal mechanisms, while the company involved also exercises its right to submit any legal actions it deems appropriate. READ ORIGINAL ARTICLE HERE Hoteliers Reject $10 Fee for Transit Passengers at Tocumen: “It Will Affect Tourism” Panama’s hotel sector has expressed its rejection of a legislative proposal that seeks to impose a $10 fee on connecting passengers at Tocumen International Airport, the region’s main air hub. The initiative is being promoted by substitute deputy Benicio Robinson González of the Democratic Revolutionary Party. $10 fee for passengers at Tocumen Airport rejectedThe Panamanian Hotel Association warned that the measure could affect the country’s competitiveness compared to other regional connection hubs such as: According to the association, more than 60% of passengers at Tocumen are in transit, so any increase in costs could influence airline decisions. Risk to the air hubThe airport handled more