Friday, March 28, 2025.
On Lies and the People Who Tell Them
We’ve all heard it—someone gets caught in a contradiction or a half-truth and suddenly they’re branded with the scarlet letter: Liar. It’s one of the most biting accusations one person can hurl at another. But here’s the uncomfortable truth: everyone lies.
Not just the career criminals or cornered suspects. Not just the shady business partner or the cheating spouse. Everyone.
Even you. Even me.
As someone trained in interrogation and seasoned by decades of investigative work, I’ve learned to watch for the subtle twitch of a lip, the strategic pause before a word, the shifting feet under the table. Lies have fingerprints. But what’s more fascinating than catching a lie is understanding why it was told in the first place.
Most lies don’t come from a place of malice. They’re not designed to harm—at least not initially. Lies are often a form of protection, not just from consequences, but from shame, judgment, loss, or vulnerability. They’re little masks people wear to keep their deeper truths hidden.
A child lies about eating the cookie because he’s afraid of punishment.
A teenager lies about their whereabouts because they fear losing freedom.
An adult lies on a résumé because they fear being seen as “less than.”
In my experience, the lie is rarely about the fact itself—it’s about the fear behind it.
So, how do we deal with lies and liars?
In the interrogation room, we’re trained to listen, not just to the words, but to the gaps in between. We observe without judgment, build rapport, and allow space for the truth to emerge. The same approach can be applied outside the professional setting. If someone you trust lies to you, try asking yourself: What are they afraid of? It doesn’t excuse the lie, but it might give you insight into the person behind it.
As for breaking the habit of lying—whether in ourselves or in others—it starts with creating environments where honesty is safe. The more people feel secure being vulnerable, the less they’ll feel the need to fabricate a version of themselves.
Because while we all lie… we also have the power to choose when to stop.
Stay sharp,
Brett Mikkelson
TOP NEWS and TIDBITS:
Panama will host the 5th International Cybersecurity Congress
Panama will host the 5th International Cybersecurity, Fraud Prevention, and Physical Security Congress, taking place from March 26 to 28, 2025. This event will bring together industry experts and leaders to share knowledge and best practices in the fight against digital fraud and the growing cyber threats.
One of the main challenges today is organizations’ ability to respond to and recover from a cyberattack. “It’s not a question of if your organization will be attacked, but when it will happen. The key lies in how you respond to minimize the damage,” said Yasmin Chávez, Manager of the Incident Response and Digital Forensics Department at CERT of Sistemas Aplicativos S.A.
Given this scenario, having a solid incident response plan is crucial for detecting, containing, and mitigating cyberattacks. Industry specialists recommend following five key components:
• Early detection and continuous monitoring: Organizations should have tools that identify anomalous activities in real time. If an internal monitoring center is unavailable, outsourcing to a SOC that provides 24/7 surveillance is advisable.
• Data backups: Keeping encrypted and protected backup copies isolated from the main network ensures operational continuity in case of attacks like ransomware.
• Response and containment protocols: Implementing measures to isolate affected systems and prevent threat propagation, along with clear procedures based on the type of incident.
• Training and drills: Conducting regular training sessions so employees understand response protocols and improve their reaction to real-life scenarios.
• Ongoing review and updates: Regularly adjusting the incident response plan to adapt to new threats and changes in organizational structure.
Cybersecurity is more than just a technological investment; it is a fundamental pillar of business resilience. This congress in Panama presents a key opportunity for organizations to strengthen their strategies and prepare for the challenges of the ever-evolving digital world.
Bill on the Use of Child Restraint Seats in Vehicles Approved
An important step toward protecting children traveling in private vehicles was taken with the approval of a bill in its third debate in the National Assembly. This bill aims to ensure that all minors traveling in private vehicles properly use child restraint seats, a crucial measure to prevent accidents and safeguard the lives of young children.
Deputy Yarielis Rodríguez, from the Vamos party, explained that this legislation applies not only to school transport or selective services but to all private vehicles.
“If this bill becomes law, everyone in their private cars—this is not just about schoolchildren or taxis, we’re talking about private vehicles—because we know this must first become part of a culture. Panamanians need to get used to having children in the back seat with their child restraint seat,” Rodríguez emphasized.
The regulation establishes that failure to comply will result in fines starting at $100. Additionally, offenders must attend mandatory sessions on the proper use of child restraint seats and road safety. The legislation also includes progressive penalties: if the violation is repeated, the fine increases to $200, and on a third offense, the offender must pay $500 and will also face suspension of their driver’s license.
The bill seeks to create a culture of road safety in Panama, where the use of child restraint seats is not just a legal requirement but a common practice among all families. This measure is considered crucial in reducing the rate of child injuries and fatalities in traffic accidents, a problem affecting many countries in the region.
Insurers Could Offer a 25% Discount on Policy Renewal Through Law
The National Assembly approved on first reading Bill 53, which proposes to amend the current legislation on the mandatory basic traffic accident insurance policy. This modification aims to encourage responsible behavior among drivers and provide economic benefits from insurers.
The Bill Could Modify Traffic Accident Insurance
Proposed Changes:
• Insurers will be required to offer a 25% discount on policy renewal to clients who did not use the benefits of the insurance in the previous year.
Modification to the Original Proposal: The initial proposal considered a 50% refund of the policy cost to owners or clients who did not use the benefits during the insurance term. However, the version approved in the first reading establishes a 25% discount for policy renewal, instead of the 50% refund.
Objectives of the Bill:
• Encourage prevention: By reducing the cost of the policy for those who do not cause accidents.
• Reduce the cost of insurance: Benefiting responsible drivers.
• Promote compliance with traffic regulations and road safety.
This bill will now move on to the second debate in the National Assembly, where new modifications may be made before its potential final approval.
Starting in 2026, Panama Will Bet on Bioethanol as an Energy Alternative
This was announced on Thursday by the President of the Republic, José Raúl Mulino.
The plan is in its final stage. He explained that, once implemented, those who visit gas stations will receive a fuel mixture that will contain 10% bioethanol in the fuel they request.
Bioethanol is an environmentally friendly fuel and compatible with all types of vehicles, Mulino stated.
The main advantage is that it can be used in all types of vehicles, improving combustion and reducing emissions. “Hopefully, we can produce this here in Panama, which would be a 10% mixture for every vehicle that goes to fuel at the pumps,” the president said.
The president also mentioned that he has already spoken with sugarcane producers and assured that everyone—consumers, producers, and the environment—will benefit.
This plan, he assured, will generate about 30,000 direct and indirect jobs, in addition to representing an economic boost of 400 million dollars over a five-year period, both in investment and wages.
In his view, this is positive for the country, as it would reduce the “importation of so much fossil fuel.” “More money in the field and in the industry,” he added.
The use of this fuel in Panama has been a topic of discussion for several months. Specifically, businessman and economist David Virzi, on his social media platform X, compared the use of this fuel with the impact of mining in the country.
“The ethanol project in Panama has the potential to generate as many or more jobs than mining, between 20,000 and 30,000 positions in the first six years. An investment of $400 million in the agro-industrial sector—one of the hardest hit—will boost the economy with a greater multiplier impact than mining, as the entire economic flow will stay in the country, benefiting all sectors…”
This comment was endorsed by the Comptroller General of the Republic, Anel “Bolo” Flores, through a retweet.
It is worth remembering that bioethanol is a type of biofuel produced from organic materials, such as sugarcane, corn, beets, and other crops rich in starches or sugars. It is blended with gasoline in varying percentages (for example, 10%, known as E10) and can be used in conventional vehicles without needing to modify the engine.
ATTT Will Not Accept Payment of Fines for Driving in Toll Corridors Without Balance Until Clearing with ENA
This Week, the Law Modifying the Vehicle Traffic Regulations Comes into Effect, Establishing New Measures for Fines on Drivers Traveling on Panama’s Corridors and Highways Without Sufficient Balance in Their Electronic Payment Devices
Requirement to Settle with ENA Before Paying Fines
The government approved the changes through a new Executive Decree, amending Articles 241 and 243 of Executive Decree No. 640 of 2006. Now, drivers will not be able to pay the fine to the ATTT until they have settled their balance with the National Highway Company (ENA) or the relevant concessionaire.
Elimination of Online Payment Option
One of the most significant changes is the elimination of the online payment option for this infraction. Drivers must first settle their debt with ENA before they can regularize their situation with the ATTT.
Fines and Penalties
• B/. 10.00 fine for traveling without balance on corridors and highways.
• The responsibility for the infraction will fall directly on the vehicle owner.
These measures aim to reduce toll evasion and improve road safety in the country. For more details on the new regulation, consult the Official Gazette: www.gacetaoficial.gob.pa
Pentagon: Joint Exercises Between Panama and the U.S. Will Involve ‘Troop Movement in the Region’
The Pentagon denied on Friday that there will be changes to its military presence in Panama but emphasized that it is working with the country on various joint military maneuvers, something already outlined in the Torrijos-Carter Treaties, to support the national security priorities of President Donald Trump.
On Thursday, NBC News reported that Trump has asked the Pentagon to prepare several plans for his idea of regaining control of that infrastructure. These plans would include sending U.S. troops in coordination with Panamanian authorities or the more drastic option of using force.
“We have no announcement regarding changes in forces in Panama. The Department is fully prepared to support the president’s national security priorities, including those related to the Panama Canal,” said Pentagon spokesperson John Ullyot.
Ullyot also explained that to support these security initiatives, the U.S. is working with Panama “on several exercises and events throughout the year.”
“These exercises will involve the movement of troops in the region and will strengthen our excellent military relationship with Panama. The United States and Panama share a strong security alliance based on mutual respect and trust,” he concluded.
The 1977 Torrijos-Carter Treaties, under which the U.S. transferred sovereignty of the canal to Panama, include in Article IV “conducting joint military exercises” and joint military operations for “the protection and defense of the canal.”
Additionally, Trump has repeatedly expressed his interest in regaining control of the Panama Canal in recent weeks, claiming it has fallen into Chinese hands, something Panama denies.
The last time he mentioned it was during his speech before Congress last week, when he asserted that the U.S. would “recover” that infrastructure.
