Friday, April 3, 2026.
Changing with the Times
There’s a quiet truth that many individuals, and even more companies, learn too late: the world does not slow down for those unwilling to evolve.
Change is no longer something that happens every few years. It is constant, accelerating, and often unforgiving. Entire industries are reshaped in months, not decades.
And those who wait to adapt until change becomes obvious often find themselves reacting… instead of leading.
At BM Investigations, we’ve spent years helping others uncover truth, manage risk, and navigate uncertainty.
But today, we recognize something deeper… investigation alone is no longer enough.
The challenges facing businesses and individuals are no longer isolated incidents. They are interconnected, influenced by shifting geopolitical tensions, economic volatility, technological disruption, and evolving social dynamics.
To operate effectively in this environment requires more than answers, it requires perspective.
That is why we are evolving. We are expanding beyond traditional investigative services and moving toward a broader role, one that integrates intelligence, risk advisory, and strategic insight across a global landscape.
Our focus is not just on what has happened, but on what is coming and how to prepare for it.
Because in a world that refuses to stand still, neither can we.
And those who choose to evolve early… are the ones who shape what comes next.
Brett Mikkelson
Director, B.M. Investigations, Inc. – Private Investigations in Panama
Comic Spotlight: Don’t miss The Mikkelson Files: #7 –The Case of The Antenna Affair.
TOP NEWS and TIDBITS:
Fuel Prices in Panama Will Increase Starting This Friday: These Are the New Prices
The National Secretariat of Energy confirmed a new increase in the maximum retail prices of fuels in Panama. The new rates will take effect starting at 6:00 a.m. this Friday, April 3, and will remain in force until April 17, 2026.
Breakdown of the increase per liter
- 95-octane gasoline: Increases by 11 cents, setting a new maximum price per liter.
- 91-octane gasoline: Rises by 10 cents.
- Low-sulfur diesel: Records the highest increase, with an additional 15 cents per liter.
Fuel prices per liter and per gallon
95-octane gasoline
- Liter: B/. 1.25
- Gallon: B/. 4.75
91-octane gasoline
- Liter: B/. 1.19
- Gallon: B/. 4.42
Diesel
- Liter: B/. 1.35
- Gallon: B/. 5.14
Panama Government Sets Fuel Prices for Transportation and Artisanal Fishing
The Cabinet Council approved Resolution No. 24-26, authorizing the Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF) to implement measures to temporarily stabilize fuel prices for public passenger transportation, cargo transport, agricultural machinery, and artisanal fishing.
The measure sets the price of 91-octane gasoline at US$3.33 per gallon (US$0.88 per liter) and low-sulfur diesel at US$3.41 per gallon (US$0.90 per liter). It will remain in effect for up to 10 months, subject to market conditions, with a cap of up to US$150 million.
The subsidy will apply to collective, selective, school, and tourism transport services, as well as to the cargo fleet and activities linked to the agricultural and artisanal fishing sectors.
The Minister of Economy and Finance, Felipe Chapman, stated that this is a temporary measure in response to rising international oil prices, which directly impact the cost of living in the country. He added that the program will involve an additional allocation of state resources without affecting investment spending.
Implementation will be overseen by the MEF and the Office of the Comptroller General of the Republic, in coordination with entities such as the Ministry of Government, the Land Transit and Transportation Authority, the Ministry of Agricultural Development, the Aquatic Resources Authority of Panama, and the National Authority for Government Innovation.
The government also noted that other support measures remain in place, such as subsidies for the Metro and Metrobús, as well as initiatives related to electricity rates and cooking gas.
The decision responds to the sustained increase in international fuel prices and their impact on transportation, logistics, and productive activities nationwide.
Artemis II Crew Reaches Earth Orbit
The crew of NASA’s Artemis II mission reached Earth orbit on Wednesday, a U.S. space agency official announced shortly after the rocket’s liftoff.
Eight minutes after launch, the Orion capsule separated as planned from the massive SLS rocket tanks, which propelled it into space and placed it into Earth orbit.
The four astronauts will now remain in orbit around Earth to conduct a series of tests before heading toward the Moon on Thursday, located more than 384,000 kilometers from Earth.
The approximately 10-day journey will mark the first crewed flight around Earth’s natural satellite in more than 50 years.
Three men and one woman are set to embark this Wednesday on the first crewed mission to the Moon since 1972— a historic odyssey aimed at propelling the United States into a new era of space exploration.
NASA’s Artemis II mission has been years in the making, with repeated setbacks. However, it is finally scheduled to launch from Florida this Wednesday, April 1 at 6:24 p.m. local time (22:24 GMT).
The astronaut team, made up of Americans Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, and Christina Koch, along with Canadian Jeremy Hansen, is expected to remain on the mission for about 10 days.
The spacecraft will travel at high speed around Earth’s natural satellite without landing, in a mission similar to Apollo 8 in 1968. The journey will mark several milestones.
It is the first time that a woman, a Black man, and a non-U.S. citizen are part of a lunar mission.
It is also the first crewed flight of NASA’s new lunar rocket, known as the SLS.
The massive orange-and-white rocket is designed to enable the United States to return to the Moon on a recurring basis in the coming years.
The long-term objective is to establish a permanent base that will serve as a platform for deeper exploration.
Panama Savings Fund Earned $146 Million, Surpassing Last Year’s Figures
The Panama Savings Fund (FAP) reported that it closed 2025 with audited financial results showing a return of 9.08% before costs, exceeding the 7.12% recorded in 2024.
In terms of net earnings, the Fund generated US$146.8 million, compared to US$94.1 million the previous year, while its net assets reached US$3,084.8 million at the end of 2025.
Performance was driven by strategic asset allocation and market conditions, with a portfolio that outperformed its composite benchmark by 180 basis points during the year. Over the past three years, the annualized return stood at 8.68%, consistently exceeding its benchmark by 140 basis points.
Among its key management actions, the FAP highlighted the strengthening of its capital through the capitalization of US$1,395.9 million from government contributions between 2020 and 2023, as well as the expansion of its alternative investment program to diversify the portfolio.
The Fund also reported progress in its institutional framework focused on governance and transparency, and the appointment of Enrique Ho as interim technical secretary, in a leadership transition aimed at ensuring operational continuity.
2026 Sea Turtle Work Plan Emphasizes a Community-Based Approach
The Ministry of Environment (MiAmbiente) launched the 2026 Work Plan for the Conservation of Sea Turtles in Panama, an initiative that integrates scientific, community, and institutional actions to protect sea turtles, with broad geographic coverage across various provinces and indigenous regions, ensuring a comprehensive nationwide approach to safeguarding these migratory species.
According to MiAmbiente, the plan includes comprehensive actions to strengthen conservation strategies at the country’s main nesting beaches, such as nighttime monitoring, control and surveillance, beach cleanups, environmental education programs, capacity-building initiatives, rehabilitation of hatcheries, and thermal monitoring of nests, thereby contributing to the effective protection of these species.
“This plan aims to protect all sea turtles that arrive on our Caribbean and Pacific beaches. It will be strengthened through community collaboration. Here we have representatives from civil society, community groups and organizations, local entities, environmental groups, scientists, and students, all committed to monitoring and establishing environmental education programs to protect critical habitats and reduce threats such as illegal fishing and pollution,” stated Minister Juan Carlos Navarro.
The plan is structured around six key pillars that cover the entire conservation cycle, from scientific monitoring—including nighttime patrols and nest temperature measurement—to direct intervention actions such as hatchery rehabilitation, and long-term sustainability strategies like environmental education and capacity-building in coastal communities.
One of the most significant aspects of the 2026 Sea Turtle Work Plan is its community-based approach, which includes cleanup campaigns, training sessions, environmental fairs, and the implementation of local action programs, promoting citizen participation as a key element to ensure sustainable results over time.
In this regard, members of Community-Based Organizations (CBOs), NGOs, the private sector, academia, and environmental groups gathered at the Azuero Regional University Center to learn more about this initiative, which also includes strengthening governance mechanisms such as the creation of a national committee, updating assessments, and reinforcing the regulatory framework to ensure the continuity and effectiveness of actions.
Regarding the plan, Digna Barsallo, National Director of Coasts and Seas, stated: “The 2026 Work Plan for the Conservation of Sea Turtles is conceived as a structured, dynamic, and continuously updated guide, implemented throughout the year and defining the main activities to be carried out. This collective tool has been developed with the participation of environmental organizations, government entities at both national and local levels, academia, and other key stakeholders, reinforcing a coordinated and comprehensive approach to protecting these species.”
Five Ways to Protect Our Data Amid the Growing Use of Artificial Intelligence
If someone loses control of their data today, it is almost never due to bad luck; it is usually the result of a combination of carelessness, deception, and increasingly sophisticated tools. In Colombia, the Police Cyber Center reported 77,866 complaints of cyber-related crimes in 2024, of which 31,095 were for theft via digital means, 10,155 for personal data breaches, and 4,716 for website impersonation.
When control over personal information is lost, the consequences are often immediate: identity theft, compromised access, fraud, and a domino effect that is difficult to stop.
And many times, the breaking point is not a technical failure, but an everyday action—such as opening a link without checking it, trusting a response without verification, or sharing sensitive information in the wrong place. This is no coincidence: Verizon’s Data Breach Investigations Report estimates that 68% of breaches involve a human element.
During Safer Internet Month, the conversation is no longer about whether we use artificial intelligence, but how to use it without exposing personal information. In this context, Jaime Pérez, Vice President of Artificial Intelligence at IFX, states that the rule is simple and applies to everyone: “Before trusting intelligence, verify the information or the tool.”
Based on the specialist’s insights, here are five practical ways to use artificial intelligence as an ally to protect personal data:
1) Use recognized AI platforms (and beware of imitations)
There are websites that mimic well-known tools to capture information. The first layer of protection is choosing trustworthy AI platforms and avoiding “copies” or suspicious links received through messages. If something seems too easy, too “free,” or too urgent, it’s best to pause.
2) Understand that AI helps, but does not replace habits
AI can support, but it does not replace the basics: thinking before clicking, checking where you are entering, and maintaining digital discipline. Pérez emphasizes that AI is a tool, not a substitute. When used on autopilot, it opens the door to human error, which remains the most targeted vulnerability.
3) Always verify: the final decision lies with the individual
AI can be highly accurate, but it does not have the final say. A practical way to protect data is to use AI as support to understand a situation, but verify before acting: confirm the source, check the sender, be cautious of “urgent” instructions, and avoid making sensitive decisions solely based on a chatbot’s suggestion.
4) Do not paste confidential information into AI chats
This point is straightforward: do not share sensitive data in AI conversations. Passwords, ID numbers, banking information, addresses, codes, or any data that could cause harm if exposed. Pérez is clear: even with safeguards in place, any provider can be breached. The best protection is not to expose what cannot be recovered.
5) Learn as a group: sharing warning signs improves security
Personal security is not just individual. Pérez recommends forming a small group—family, friends, or coworkers—to share what they are encountering: fraud attempts, suspicious messages, unusual calls, fake websites. This exchange helps prevent others from falling into the same traps and aids in early detection of breaches.
“The most important thing is to understand that the context we provide can determine whether a response is good or bad. We need to become skilled in how we ask artificial intelligence in order to avoid data leaks,” the executive emphasized.
The Mikkelson Files: #7 – The Case of The Antenna Affair.
