Friday, November 14, 2025.
Leadership: Honorable Principals to Live By
This past week marked two important moments in American tradition and service: the birthday of the United States Marine Corps and the observance of Veterans Day. For many, these dates are reminders of uniforms, ceremonies, and military history. But for those who have served, and for those who work alongside veterans every day, they carry a deeper meaning.
The Marine Corps is known not only for its discipline and battlefield legacy, but for its uncompromising standard of leadership. Marines are trained to lead with clarity, decisiveness, loyalty, and personal accountability, qualities forged in conditions most people will never experience. And yet, these same principles have tremendous value far beyond the military.
Whether in business, in our families, or in the daily decisions that shape who we become, the Marine Corps’ leadership philosophy offers a blueprint for excellence. Knowing yourself, setting the example, communicating clearly, taking responsibility, training as a team; these are not only the foundations of military success. They are the foundations of a successful life.
These same principles guide the way we work inside our investigations office every day. When we take on a case, we incorporate the discipline of clear communication so clients are never left in the dark. We train our team to operate as one cohesive unit, investigators, analysts, administrators, field specialists, each person understanding their role and supporting the next. We emphasize responsibility and accountability by ensuring every report is accurate, every lead is verified, and every conclusion is backed by evidence, not assumption. We set the example by meeting deadlines, maintaining professionalism under pressure, and treating every case, whether corporate, legal, or personal, with integrity and vigilance. These Marine Corps principles are not abstract; they are active, practical, and part of the daily rhythm of how we conduct investigations with excellence.
As we honor the men and women who served, Marines and veterans from every branch, it’s worth pausing to recognize that the qualities they exemplify are lessons for all of us. Leadership is not a rank. It is a practice. And the 11 principles that guide Marines can be adapted to strengthen our companies, elevate our personal standards, and improve how we show up for each other every single day.
This month, as we reflect on service and sacrifice, we also reflect on leadership. The kind that builds strong teams, strong families, and strong character, the kind every one of us can strive to live by.
Brett Mikkelson
Director, B.M. Investigations, Inc. – Private Investigations in Panama
TOP NEWS and TIDBITS:
Ministry of Security Updates Methods for Identifying Foreigners in Panama
According to the new provision, members of the National Migration Service and public security forces are authorized to request identification from any foreigner.
The Ministry of Public Security has modified, as of Wednesday, November 12, the methods for identifying foreigners present in the country.
Through Executive Decree No. 84 of November 11, 2025, Article No. 1 of Executive Decree No. 804 of December 22, 2009, regarding the identification of these individuals, has been amended.
According to the new provision, members of the National Migration Service and public security agencies are authorized to require identification from any foreigner within the country, in compliance with current immigration regulations.
The decree maintains the requirement that all foreigners must carry identification documents at all times.
However, it updates the procedure by incorporating technological mechanisms to verify identity more quickly and efficiently.
The document, signed by President José Raúl Mulino and the Minister of Public Security, Frank Ábrego, establishes that the measure aims to strengthen immigration controls and improve the monitoring of foreigners’ stay in the country.
In addition, the decree cites as its legal basis the Constitution, Law No. 3 of February 22, 2008, and its subsequent amendments, which regulate the functions of the National Migration Service.
They Clarify that the Dissemination of Images in Amber Alert Cases Must End Within 24 Hours, According to the Law
The National Amber Alert System reminded the public this Tuesday, November 11, through an official statement, that the dissemination of the image of a child or adolescent reported missing may only remain active while the alert is in effect, and for a maximum of 24 hours, as established by Law 469 of 2025.
Once this period has expired, authorities must remove the data and images from media outlets and digital platforms in order to protect the identity and safety of the minor. If the child or adolescent has not been located within 24 hours, the case will be referred to the Specialized Unit for Missing Persons of the Public Ministry, the entity responsible for initiating a formal disappearance investigation.
“In order to keep the public informed, statements will be issued for each recovered minor. These statements will be published for a maximum of 48 hours, exclusively for public knowledge,” the official release states.
According to the regulations, the image of minors will only be disseminated while the alert remains active and within the legal time frame established, in order to respect their right to privacy and personal security.
Each information release regarding the location of a minor will include the child’s initials, the type of disappearance, and the dates of disappearance and recovery, written in a way that preserves the minor’s identity and guarantees their rights, in compliance with Law 285 of 2022, which protects Panamanian children and adolescents.
The current legislation reaffirms the principle of the best interests of the child and the State’s obligation to safeguard their privacy, preventing any undue public exposure that could affect their well-being.
Green Light Given for the Purchase of 4 Aircraft Worth Over $76 Million
The Government of Panama has given the green light for the purchase of four “Super Tucano” aircraft for more than 76 million dollars—an investment aimed at strengthening the country’s air and maritime surveillance and delivering a direct blow to organized crime and drug trafficking affecting Panamanian society.
According to the government, this modification seeks to align the purchase with the fiscal limits established by the Social Responsibility Law.
The new aircraft will enhance the monitoring of Panama’s airspace and maritime zones and will serve as a key tool in combating organized crime and drug trafficking, which have a direct impact on the nation’s security and well-being.
The budget includes not only the cost of the aircraft and financing through Partial Payment Accounts (CPPs), but also import taxes, which will be managed by the relevant authorities.
Last March, the purchase was approved for $68,202,341.44, but the contract’s payment schedule extended through 2027, exceeding the permitted fiscal limits. The new structure allows for financing up to $30 million between 2025 and 2034, with the approval of the Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF).
With these adjustments, the total contract cost amounts to $76,357,355.70, including VAT and other charges. The Ministry of Public Security (Minseg) and the MEF must ensure that the financing terms are the most favorable for the State and comply with fiscal guidelines.
In summary: Panama is investing more than $76 million to strengthen its air and maritime security and to deliver a decisive blow against organized crime and drug trafficking.
Unions Support Regulation of Electronic Cigarettes that Protects Minors
Three organizations from the business and civic sectors have expressed their support for Bill No. 227, introduced by Deputy Medin Jiménez Pitti, which seeks to regulate the use, commercialization, quality control, and oversight of electronic cigarettes.
According to these groups, the proposed legislation places special emphasis on preventing the use of electronic cigarettes among minors.
The bill was endorsed on October 27 by the National Assembly’s Committee on Labor, Health, and Social Development.
The proposed law establishes fines of up to one hundred thousand dollars for anyone who sells or provides these products to minors.
It also prohibits the use of characters, flavors, or designs aimed at children and adolescents and requires businesses to display visible signs indicating the restriction on sales to minors.
Positions of the organizations
The Chamber of Commerce, Industries and Agriculture of Panama (CCIAP) stated that the bill “represents a necessary step forward to protect minors through the strict prohibition of sales and marketing toward this demographic group.”
In a letter to the members of the committee, the CCIAP also highlighted that the law introduces a clear and specific fiscal framework, allowing the State to collect taxes on products that currently operate without regulation or fiscal contribution.
Meanwhile, the Fundación Libertad affirmed that the proposal “is consistent with the principles of rational regulation, effective oversight, and respect for economic freedom.”
The foundation added that the measure combats illicit trade, protects minors, and creates a progressive tax structure, avoiding arbitrary or disproportionate policies.
“This type of regulation, based on transparency and individual responsibility, is what Panama needs to move toward a freer and more prosperous nation,” the organization stated.
For its part, the Panama Association for Tobacco Harm Reduction (ARDTP) supported the initiative based on scientific evidence and international regulatory models, which confirm that non-combustion nicotine delivery products significantly reduce exposure to toxic and carcinogenic substances compared to traditional cigarettes.
The ARDTP also noted that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has recognized these devices as less harmful alternatives for adult smokers who are unable to quit the habit.
Digital Scams on the Rise in Panama: Authorities Warn of New Deception Methods on Social Media and WhatsApp
Cybersecurity expert Eli Faskha warned that digital fraud schemes have diversified and now include everything from malicious emails to phone calls, voice messages, and fake videos sent through WhatsApp.
“It can start with a malicious email, which is what people have traditionally known, or with a link received through chat or WhatsApp. Clicking that link can be very dangerous for your phone — it can be cloned or compromised in some way. But now we’re also seeing direct calls, voice messages that sound very real, and even video messages,” Faskha explained.
The specialist emphasized that criminals are using increasingly sophisticated techniques to deceive people, exploiting their trust or curiosity.
Fake offers and suspicious prices
According to authorities, many of these scams originate from fake offers or products advertised at unusually low prices on social media or unverified websites. Experts recommend comparing prices in the market, verifying the seller’s legitimacy, and reporting any digital fraud attempts to the authorities.
They stress that the first step is to identify the type of product, its price, and where it is being offered. It is essential to conduct proper research and report cases to help track down those responsible.
The increase in these crimes has prompted calls to strengthen digital education and public awareness, especially as internet use and mobile platforms continue to grow rapidly across the country.
Controversy Over Municipal Taxes on the Colon Free Zone Continues to Spark Reactions
The Chamber of Commerce of the province of Colón has issued a statement regarding the controversy sparked by discussions over the collection of municipal taxes from the Colon Free Zone, following remarks made on November 5 by the city’s mayor, Diógenes Galván.
The Chamber’s president, Dominico Medina, noted that while municipal taxes do not directly apply to the Colon Free Zone, the province’s economic situation remains complex, and despite signs of economic activity, the reality on the ground is quite different.
Meanwhile, community leader Luis Ladeut emphasized the need to increase the Municipality of Colón’s revenue, citing the rise in the number of businesses established compared to past decades.
In recent days, Mayor Galván reiterated on Telemetro Reporta that the local tax model in Colón weakens the province’s municipal economies. He explained that during his remarks at the November 5th celebrations, he merely reaffirmed the existence of a law governing the Free Zone, which allows investors to be exempt from taxes—a model originally designed to attract investment. However, he also pointed out that there are national-level decisions that continue to encourage the non-payment of municipal taxes.
Provisional Detention Ordered for Foreign Nationals Transporting More Than 13 Tons of Drugs
The ten foreign crew members detained during an operation last Sunday by the National Aeronaval Service (Senan) have been formally charged with the alleged commission of a crime against collective security, in the form of international drug trafficking.
The suspects were apprehended on Sunday, November 9, by Senan units in coordination with the Drug Prosecutor’s Office, while transporting 13.5 tons of a suspected illicit substance aboard a vessel located southwest of San José Island.
The seized cargo is estimated to be worth around 200 million dollars locally, though its value would be significantly higher in international markets. Among the nationalities of the accused are Colombians, Venezuelans, Ecuadorians, and Nicaraguans.
During a multi-request hearing, Judge Irene Cedeño of the First Judicial Circuit of Panama determined that restricting the defendants’ freedom was the “most necessary and proportional” measure, after weighing the existence of evidence linking the crew members to the crime, the seriousness of the offense, and the risk of flight or interference with the judicial process.
The defendants were represented by attorneys Roberto Moreno, Héctor Bonilla, and Martha Restrepo.
Deputy Minister of Security: 80% of Homicides in Panama Are Linked to Organized Crime
The Deputy Minister of Public Security, Luis Felipe Icaza, stated that most homicides reported in Panama are directly linked to organized crime and to score-settling between gangs operating in various parts of the country.
“Many homicide cases are directly related to organized crime — these are executions between gangs. I would say that about 80% of these crimes or killings are connected to this type of activity,” Icaza said.
Deputy Minister confirms links between homicides and organized crime
The official explained that authorities continue to carry out ongoing intelligence and territorial control operations to weaken the criminal structures responsible for these acts of violence, in coordination with the National Police and the Public Ministry.
Icaza also emphasized that the Government, through the Ministry of Public Security (Minseg), aims to strengthen the State’s operational capabilities through new equipment, technology, and international cooperation, with the goal of preventing the expansion of organized crime and protecting the population.
The Deputy Minister’s remarks come amid an increase in operations and arrests related to gangs, drug trafficking, and associated crimes — which remain the main drivers of violence in the country.
