Friday, July 18, 2025.
No Taglines, Just Truth
That’s how we kick off this week’s edition: no clever slogans, no polished motivational speeches — just a sincere wish for a great week. Because sometimes, even when we’re racing against deadlines, authenticity matters more than the perfect tagline. In this newsletter, you’ll find an honest, straightforward roundup of the most relevant news, trending topics everyone’s talking about, and a few stories worth keeping an eye on in the days ahead.
Brett Mikkelson
Director, B.M. Investigations, Inc.
TOP NEWS and TIDBITS:
Panama Reports 11 Deaths and Over 7,000 Dengue Cases
Panama reports 11 nationwide dengue-related deaths, distributed as follows: Chiriquí (4), Bocas del Toro (2), Panamá Este, Coclé, and the Metropolitan region each with 1, according to the Ministry of Health through its Department of Epidemiology.
In addition, there are 7,196 cases of dengue in the country. Of this total, 6,379 cases show no warning signs, 751 cases present warning signs, and 66 have been classified as severe dengue. Authorities also report that 667 people are currently hospitalized with dengue-related illnesses.
The region with the highest number of reported cases is the Metropolitan area with 1,661 cases, followed by San Miguelito (1,481), Panamá Oeste (850), Panamá Norte (749), Chiriquí (483), and Bocas del Toro (464). Meanwhile, the Ngäbe-Buglé comarca has reported 48 cases, and Guna Yala has 5 cases.
The Ministry reported that the incidence rate for this week is 157 cases per 100,000 inhabitants, with most infections affecting people between 10 and 59 years old.
In response to the increase, the Ministry has intensified vector control operations in all regions and reiterates its call to the public to actively participate in eliminating Aedes aegypti mosquito breeding sites, both inside and outside their homes.
The most common dengue symptoms include: fever, headache, general malaise, muscle pain, and eye pain. Health authorities urge the population not to self-medicate and to visit the nearest health center if symptoms appear.
Enrollment Period Extended for Air Traffic Controller Coursed
The Civil Aviation Authority (AAC) has extended the registration period until July 31 for its Air Traffic Controller training course, as part of an effort to strengthen this essential human capital within the country’s aeronautical system.
The AAC needs more personnel in this area, as the shortage of air traffic controllers has been an ongoing issue within the entity, explained Rafael Bárcenas Chiari, Director General of the AAC.
He added that the decision responds to a cumulative personnel deficit in this specialty, which is essential for the safety and efficiency of the country’s airspace.
Applicants must have conversational proficiency in English, given the international nature of air traffic communications.
“Panamanian controllers interact with pilots from Argentina to Canada, 365 days a year, working rotating shifts. It is a highly demanding profession, but also rewarding and well-paid,” he added.
According to AAC figures, more than 2,500 people have registered for the course.
Currently, 64 students are enrolled in Air Traffic Controller training, but the goal is to train a new group of approximately 60 candidates. These candidates will receive free instruction during a two-year program at the Instituto Superior de Formación Profesional Aeronáutica (ISFPA) in Panama City.
The training includes basic instruction, specialization, and certification in areas such as tower control and radar control, allowing graduates to work at the country’s main aerodromes or at the air traffic control center.
To register for the Air Traffic Controller course, candidates must be Panamanian, under 35 years of age, hold a high school diploma in Science or Industrial streams, and have conversational proficiency in English. They should also demonstrate skills in teamwork, logical-spatial thinking, analytical ability, and effective communication.
Candidates must also pass a series of tests, including psychological evaluations, English exams, and reaction simulations under pressure.
An air traffic controller supervises and directs the movement of aircraft in the airspace, both on the ground and in flight, to ensure the safety and efficiency of air traffic.
Civil Aviation Authority Reports on the Presidential Flight Line at Marcos A. Gelabert Airport
The Civil Aviation Authority (AAC) reports that the remodeling project of the VIP area of the Presidential Flight Line, located at Marcos A. Gelabert Airport and assigned during the previous administration, was abandoned by the contractor Consorcio Grupo TEMPSA.
The project had a budget of B/. 290,010.68 and was given the go-ahead on May 20, 2024, with a planned completion date of December 15, 2024. However, despite receiving an advance payment of B/. 58,002.00 in May 2024, the company repeatedly failed to meet its contractual obligations.
The bonds presented by Consorcio Grupo TEMPSA were issued by the insurer La Regional de Seguros.
The AAC reported that between December 2024 and June 2025, approval was granted to process a time extension addendum due to hidden defects detected in the existing structure and the need to adjust the schedule because of VIP State personnel operations. However, the consortium did not submit the required documentation to formalize this addendum, complicating administrative procedures.
During this same period, it was verified that the company:
- Did not maintain qualified or active personnel on site.
- Did not formalize contractual relationships with key suppliers (kitchen, windows, doors, and porte-cochère façade).
- Did not submit the documents required by the AAC to extend the project execution deadlines.
Due to the lack of commitment, abandonment of the work site, and absence of corrective actions, the entity terminated the contract administratively on June 25, 2025.
The AAC regretted the delays and damages caused by this situation and reaffirmed its commitment to transparent and efficient management, where non-compliance by contractors in projects of national interest will not be tolerated.
Currently, the corresponding legal proceedings are underway to reactivate the project and put the presidential VIP area into operation.
Tocumen Surpasses 10 Million Passengers in the First Half of 2025
The daily average number of passengers reached 57,000, with the highest flow on Fridays, Sundays, and Mondays.
Tocumen International Airport handled a total of 10,041,207 passengers during the first half of 2025, representing a 7% increase compared to the same period last year, the airport reported this Thursday, July 17.
If the growth trend continues, Tocumen could surpass 20 million passengers by the end of 2025, exceeding the 19.2 million recorded in 2024.
Do You Know What to Do During an Earthquake? Firefighters and SINAPROC Share Key Recommendations
With the aim of preparing the population for a potential earthquake, emergency institutions have launched a campaign to reinforce key recommendations on what to do before, during, and after a seismic event.
As part of the campaign, an evacuation drill was held this Wednesday at the headquarters of the Benemérito Fire Department in Carrasquilla.
The main message from the authorities is clear: remain calm and have a family evacuation plan. This plan should include exit routes, safe meeting points, and the preparation of an emergency backpack for each household member, explained Omar Smith, director of the National Civil Protection System (SINAPROC).
Among the highlighted recommendations, the public is urged not to stand under hanging objects or near windows during an earthquake. Instead, people should seek shelter under sturdy furniture and protect vital areas of the body, such as the head, neck, and chest, said Fire Department Director Victor Álvarez.
Authorities also emphasize the importance of not running during the earthquake.
An essential part of preparation is the 72-hour emergency backpack, which should include:
- Drinking water
- Personal medications, and specific ones for older adults or people with disabilities
- A change of clothes for each person
- A portable AM/FM radio to stay informed, along with prior knowledge of the official frequency
At the same time, rescue teams reported that they continue training specialized canine units in search and rescue. These dogs are fundamental in structural collapse situations, as their keen sense of smell allows them to detect people trapped under rubble at several meters of depth.
“A dog’s sense of smell is crucial to saving lives, because the scent particles given off by living people are what guide the dog to the victim. The dog then barks to signal the exact location,” explained Kevin Requena, a member of the Fire Department’s Canine Unit.
As part of this preventive campaign, informative segments with practical and educational messages will be broadcast in the media so the public knows how to act in the event of an earthquake risk.
Panamanian Project on Abandoned Dogs Selected for Prestigious Gallery in the U.S.
The project “Detection of Critical Dog Abandonment Zones in Panama,” developed by Alfredo Kinglow, a Systems Engineering student at the Technological University of Panama (UTP), has been selected to be part of the Map Gallery at the 2025 Esri User Conference to be held in San Diego, United States.
This innovative geospatial tool enables rescuers and volunteers to visualize real-time cases of dog abandonment, allowing them to update the status of animals from “pending” to “rescued” and significantly improving coordination among rescue teams.
The system, based on the ArcGIS platform and data collected through Survey123, generates heat maps that identify areas with the highest concentration of abandonments. This transformation of scattered data into useful geographic information strengthens evidence-based decision-making.
Additionally, the project contributes to various Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and stands as a commitment to animal welfare and an example of using technology in service of social and environmental causes in Panama. It is also a step toward creating long-term strategies supported by data-driven decisions.
To help this project go further, you can vote for it at the following link:
