Friday, December 5, 2025.
El Valle: Where Rest Becomes Wisdom
There is a quiet kind of wisdom in learning to slow down. It’s something we often overlook, especially those of us who live in constant motion, managing businesses, solving problems, carrying responsibilities that seldom sleep. But every human being, no matter how driven, needs a moment to step outside the noise. And sometimes, life gives us the gift of a place that makes slowing down feel natural. For us, that place was El Valle.
Tucked inside an ancient volcanic crater, El Valle has a way of easing the tension out of your shoulders the moment you arrive. The air is cooler, the mountains are steadier, and the silence isn’t empty, it’s restorative. Our family trip there became more than just a getaway. It reminded us of a truth that philosophers, doctors, and wise people across generations have all agreed on: rest is not an indulgence; it is a requirement for a healthy, meaningful life.
We often think of relaxation as something passive, as if it’s simply the absence of work. But true rest is an activepractice. It is the intentional decision to disconnect from obligations, to silence the internal dialogue that tells us we must always be “on,” and to allow our bodies and minds to reset.
Science supports this. When we rest:
- Our nervous system recalibrates, lowering stress hormones that quietly damage us over time.
- Our creativity increases as the mind gains space to think freely.
- Our relationships deepen, because presence, not proximity, is what builds connection.
- Even our longevity improves, with studies suggesting that moments of deep relaxation strengthen the heart, immune system, and cognitive health.
But beyond the science, there is a philosophical side to rest that resonates more deeply. The Stoics taught that tranquility (ataraxia) is a form of strength. That a person who can quiet his own mind is more powerful than one who conquers cities. Rest, then, is not weakness. It is preparation, a returning to the world with renewed clarity and sharper judgment.
In El Valle, we felt that truth firsthand.
We savored beautiful meals at Fuego in the Hotel La Compañía and at Las Nubes, where the view alone seems to slow time. We wandered from café to café, enjoying hot chocolates as if they were small celebrations. And sometimes, we simply sat together listening to music, napping, or doing absolutely nothing except being a family with each other, not just near each other. No work talk. No deadlines. Just presence.
These moments reminded us that harmony at home is not automatic. It needs space to breathe. It needs silence, laughter, shared meals, and the slow rhythm of time enjoyed intentionally.
As we move forward with our busy schedules, it’s worth remembering:
Rest is not the opposite of productivity. It is the fuel for it.
Relaxation is not the enemy of ambition. It keeps ambition from consuming us.
And time with family is not a pause from life, it is life.
If El Valle taught us anything, it’s that everyone should step away every now and again. Not to escape the world, but to return to it stronger, calmer, and more aligned with the things that truly matter.
Brett Mikkelson
Director, B.M. Investigations, Inc. – Private Investigations in Panama
TOP NEWS and TIDBITS:
New ION Building in the City of Health Will Have an Investment of More Than $95 Million
A new building for the National Oncology Institute (ION) will be constructed in the City of Health, with an investment exceeding 95 million dollars, according to the Ministry of Health (MINSA). The project is part of the integration process outlined in the agreement between MINSA and the Social Security Fund (CSS), aimed at optimizing the use of available services in this medical complex and strengthening the quality of care for oncology patients.
The entity explained that the project will have an estimated execution period of 18 to 24 months and will feature a 9-story infrastructure designed to expand the country’s capacity for cancer care.
MINSA announced the construction of the new ION building.
Among the planned services are an outpatient chemotherapy room with 90 chairs, 8 beds for prolonged treatments, a clinical and molecular laboratory specialized in hematology, as well as a 6-story parking facility with 272 spaces.
The new ION will also offer 92 outpatient consultation rooms, distributed across more than 15 clinical specialties, within a total construction area of 19,670 square meters.
New ION building in the City of Health
MINSA also detailed that, in 2024 alone, the National Oncology Institute attended 5,290 first-time patients in Outpatient Consultation. By province, the highest number of cases was recorded in Panama with 2,156 patients, followed by Panama Oeste with 854, and Chiriquí with 629.
Regarding gender distribution, 3,224 women and 2,066 men were attended. Of the total number of patients, 71% were insured and 29% uninsured, reflecting the nationwide reach of the public oncology system.
Panama Canal Defines Prequalification Requirements for Port Projects and the Gas Pipeline
The Panama Canal will evaluate financial strength, prior experience, operational capacity, performance in similar projects, and management of cost overruns as the central criteria to determine which companies may prequalify for the port projects and the gas pipeline. Elements such as the operator’s relationship with the host country and other technical factors established in the bidding documents—scheduled to be published between December and January—will also be considered.
“The interest is there, and now what we need is to determine how they can get through the prequalification process—that is, how they can participate and which ones do not qualify for technical or financial reasons,” explained the administrator of the Panama Canal, Ricaurte Vásquez. He added that the entity is compiling all the questions received in order to adjust the contracting concept and align it with what the market can finance. “The Canal cannot issue a contract that nobody understands,” Vásquez stated during a meeting with EditoRed, the Association of Media Editors of the European Union, Latin America, and the Caribbean.
The Canal has concluded individual meetings with representatives of companies interested in the gas pipeline and is meeting this week with those interested in the ports.
The Panama Canal’s plan includes the construction of the new Corozal and Telfers port terminals, with an estimated investment of 2.6 billion dollars. These projects would increase the country’s transshipment capacity by about 5 million additional TEUs per year, and they are expected to begin operations around 2029, after the prequalification, awarding, and construction processes are completed. The program is part of a modernization strategy that could generate between 1.5 and 1.7 billion dollars annually in new revenue and thousands of jobs during its development.
Meanwhile, the gas pipeline project being developed by the Panama Canal includes an infrastructure of about 76 kilometers to connect the Atlantic and Pacific coasts. According to the Panama Canal Authority (ACP), it is currently in the market-engagement phase, and construction could begin around 2027, once the prequalification and operator-selection process is completed.
Ports: timelines, requirements, and market expectations
Regarding the port terminals, Vásquez indicated that prequalification could be announced in March, provided the bidding documents are released this month. “Assuming we can release the documents this month, any delay in that will also delay the delivery date,” he said. Eleven groups participated in the individual meetings. The administrator reiterated that the goal is to attract operators capable of handling a market where most of the activity corresponds to transshipment, which ranges between 10 and 12 million TEUs. “Panama does not generate a cargo volume comparable to other countries; that is the platform we operate on.”
Vásquez also emphasized that the ACP will not assume financial risks or guarantees in any of the concessions. “There will be no state guarantee nor Canal guarantee. There will be a contribution, and that is where our participation ends,” he affirmed, noting that all assets will revert to the entity once the investment has been recovered.
The Panama Canal administrator reiterated that none of the projects under development—including the port terminals and the gas pipeline—may compromise the Canal’s assets or balance sheet. He stated that the ACP will not assume guarantees or financial risks in the concessions and that its participation will be limited to an initial capital contribution. “The Panama Canal will not put its balance sheet or assets at risk to develop these projects; they must be autonomous and sustainable with the resources they generate,” he said.
Gas pipeline: more interested parties and a longer process
For the gas pipeline, the process will be longer due to the larger number of participants. “We saw 45 companies at the pipeline presentation and 17 or 18 in the individual meetings,” he detailed. In this case, prequalification could take around five months after closing. The administrator noted that the recovery of the investment will depend on the business’s performance. “The higher the investment, the longer the recovery period may need to be,” he said, recalling that some concessions in the country have recovered costs in short timeframes.
Vásquez stressed that the ACP will not operate the gas pipeline or the terminals. “Shoemaker, stick to your trade,” he said, explaining that the model contemplates specific vehicles through which all assets will return to the Canal.
The ACP expects that the prequalification documents will clarify who will advance in both processes, while maintaining the principle of not compromising the Canal’s balance sheet or assets.
First Aid in December: Basic Techniques Everyone Should Know Before an Emergency
December is often a month full of celebrations, gatherings, travel, and activities that increase certain risk situations. For this reason, knowing some basic first aid techniques can make a difference when responding to household accidents, cuts, burns, or fainting, especially when they happen during family gatherings or festive events.
According to guidelines from the World Health Organization (WHO), knowing how to apply first aid can reduce the risk of severe harm after household accidents or burns.
First Aid: How to Act in Emergency Situations
One of the most common incidents in December is minor burns, whether from cooking, handling fireworks, or decorative candles. In these cases, the WHO recommends placing the affected area under cold running water to stop thermal damage.
For superficial cuts, the first step is to clean the wound with water and apply gentle pressure with gauze to stop the bleeding. If the cut is deep, continues bleeding, or the person feels dizzy, it is best to seek medical attention immediately.
Bruises and falls also tend to increase due to heightened activity. Applying ice wrapped in a cloth helps reduce inflammation, while monitoring for dizziness, intense pain, or difficulty moving is essential to decide whether professional care is needed.
Fainting, Intoxication, and Emergency Warning Signs
During celebrations, it is common for someone to faint, especially due to heat, dehydration, or exhaustion. The recommended response is to lay the person down, slightly elevate their legs, and loosen tight clothing.
In cases of food or alcohol intoxication, the most important thing is to keep the person hydrated and seek medical help if they experience persistent vomiting, disorientation, or difficulty breathing.
Knowing these basic actions can help you respond more safely while waiting for specialized care to arrive.
Minimum Wage Board Enters Final Phase with Union Proposal of $1,956.52
The tripartite minimum wage board has entered its final stretch in an effort to reach consensus, as union and business sectors present their positions ahead of the adjustment that will take effect starting in 2026. In this context, the National Confederation of Independent Union Unity (Conusi) presented its proposal of $1,956.52 as the income necessary to cover the needs of a family of four, highlighting the gap between that amount and the median salary of $735.40.
During the fourth ordinary session of the National Minimum Wage Commission, the Minister of Labor, Jackeline Muñoz de Cedeño, emphasized the participation of specialists from Fedecámaras, the Coclé Chamber of Commerce, and Sintracoapa, whose technical contributions helped establish a common framework regarding the economic situation.
Next Tuesday, December 9, an extraordinary session will be held to present the concrete proposals, and the deadline to reach an agreement expires on December 10; if no agreement is achieved, it will fall to the Executive Branch to set the minimum wage.
Comptroller’s Office Begins Audits of Extraordinary Funds Granted to Municipalities
Comptroller General of the Republic, Anel “Bolo” Flores, announced that the Comptroller’s Office will begin audits on the more than 6 million dollars in extraordinary funds allocated to various municipalities across the country.
Comptroller Anel Flores announced audits of extraordinary municipal funds
Flores explained that this review will be carried out with the same level of rigor recently applied to IFARHU’s economic aid program, a process in which the Comptroller’s Office forwarded 2,860 case files to the Public Ministry after detecting an alleged loss exceeding 52 million dollars.
“The standard used in the economic aid audits will be the same one we will apply to review these funds,” stated the comptroller, who added that the institution will also audit the resources managed by legislators, with the goal of ensuring the proper use of public funds.
The audits are part of the Comptroller’s efforts to strengthen controls and promote transparency in the administration of state funds distributed to local governments and representatives from various legislative districts.
Copa Airlines Announced Temporary Suspension of Flights to Venezuela
The airline clarified that the situation did not compromise operational safety, but it prompted a preventive decision. It offered passengers date changes, modifications within the same region, travel credits for future trips, or refunds. The company indicated that it continues evaluating the event and will provide new information within the next 24 hours.
The decision comes amid recent tensions regarding Venezuelan airspace following statements by U.S. President Donald Trump, who called for considering the airspace “over and around” Venezuela as “completely closed.”
In previous days, Copa Airlines had stated that its operations in the country remained open under “high levels of alert and caution, only during daytime hours,” and confirmed delays in two Saturday flights that ultimately landed without issues. The airline reiterated that any changes will be communicated through its official channels.
INFORMATION ON TEMPORARY SUSPENSION OF COPA AIRLINES FLIGHTS TO AND FROM VENEZUELA
Panama City, December 3, 2025 – Copa Airlines reports that, due to intermittent issues detected in one of the aircraft navigation signals, as reported by our pilots today —a situation that at no time compromised operational safety— we have made the preventive decision to temporarily suspend flights to and from Caracas on Thursday, December 4, and Friday, December 5, 2025. We continue to evaluate the situation and will share new information within the next 24 hours.
To assist passengers with scheduled flights to and from Caracas on the mentioned dates, Copa Airlines offers the following options:
• A date change and/or a change of origin/destination within the same region at no additional cost.
• Trip cancellation while keeping the ticket value as credit for future travel.
• Refunds for unused and partially used tickets. You may submit your request at www.copa.com
Copa Airlines reaffirms its commitment to the safety and well-being of its passengers and crews. The airline also encourages passengers to stay informed about the evolution of this situation through its official communication channels.
teniendo el valor del boleto en crédito para una fecha de viaje futura.
• Reembolso de boletos no utilizados y parcialmente utilizados. Puede gestionar su solicitud en www.copa.com
Copa Airlines ratifica su compromiso con la seguridad y bienestar de sus pasajeros y tripulaciones. Asimismo, sugiere a sus pasajeros mantenerse informados sobre la evolución de esta situación a través de los canales oficiales de la Aerolínea
