Friday, August 22, 2025.
The Search for Sleep
From Henry IV, Part 2 (Act 3, Scene 1) – spoken by King Henry IV
O sleep! O gentle sleep!
Nature’s soft nurse, how have I frighted thee,
That thou no more wilt weigh my eyelids down,
And steep my senses in forgetfulness?
This famous soliloquy explores the longing for rest in a troubled mind. Shakespeare likens sleep to a gentle nurse, soothing and necessary, yet frustratingly absent. Welcome to my world, and the world of so many others.
Trying to sleep in a hospital is por el gusto (pointless), no matter which ward you’re in. The ICU allows for no rest at all: Intermittent Pneumatic Compression (IPC) devices spring to life just as your body begins to calm, blood pressure cuffs inflate every hour on the hour, and the soundtrack of the night is made up of screams and lamentations from fellow patients. Add to that the constant temperature checks, blood draws, and the daily ritual of a cold-water sponge bath, and you realize that in hospitals, sleep is more theory than reality.
Fast forward to home, and rest still felt elusive. I battled frequent wake-ups and endless trips to the baño. The hardest part wasn’t the interruptions themselves, but the painful effort of getting in and out of bed. A new back meant new adjustments, I told myself, so I chalked it up to post-op growing pains. Still, the IS (sacroiliac) joint flared each night, making rest feel impossible.
Finally, I decided to put my investigative brain to the test, no small feat under the haze of medication. First experiment: sleeping in my recliner. During the day it gave me no pain at all, so why not? The results: zero pain, but very little actual sleep. Round two: I borrowed my son Brandon’s queen-sized bed (he gamely returned to his old bunk bed). The outcome? A full night’s rest, uninterrupted, right until my alarm. Eureka.
But the real test remained. I went back to “the scene of the crime”; my old bed. Within 15 minutes, I was in agony, and getting out felt nearly impossible. The verdict was clear: new back + old mattress = new problems. Time for the next phase of recovery: mattress shopping. Or, as my queen calls it with regal flair, “Shoooooooopping!”
The irony is that I’d been down this road before. Even prior to surgery, I did everything I could to maximize sleep. My old mattress was chosen through a method both simple and scientific: I sampled hotel beds until I found the perfect one, then hunted it down for my own home. Now, it seems the cycle repeats — except this time, Brandon’s mattress has proven the winning formula.
Of course, a mattress isn’t the only factor. Sleep, real restorative sleep, is a recipe with many ingredients. Beyond the bed itself, here are universal elements worth considering if you want to achieve the elusive perfect night’s rest:
- Keep a consistent bedtime and wake-up time, even on weekends
- Get natural sunlight exposure in the morning to set your body clock
- Avoid caffeine at least six to eight hours before bedtime
- Limit alcohol intake, especially in the evening
- Finish dinner two to three hours before bed and avoid heavy or spicy meals
- Reduce fluid intake in the evening to minimize nighttime bathroom trips
- Dim household lights one to two hours before sleep
- Avoid screens or use blue-light filters in the evening
- Create a relaxing wind-down routine such as reading, journaling, or meditation
- Keep the bedroom cool, ideally between 60–67°F (15–20°C)
- Ensure the room is dark with blackout curtains or an eye mask
- Minimize noise or use white noise for consistency
- Use a comfortable mattress and pillows suitable for your sleep position
- Reserve the bed for sleep and intimacy only, not for work or television
- Engage in regular exercise during the day but not within two to three hours of bedtime
- Practice stress management techniques such as deep breathing or gratitude journaling
- Avoid naps late in the day, especially after 3 p.m.
- Establish a predictable pre-sleep routine to signal your body it’s time to rest.
Brett Mikkelson
Director, B.M. Investigations, Inc.
TOP NEWS and TIDBITS:
Cabinet Approves B/.5.207 Billion for the Canal and Adopts Measures on Río Indio
On Tuesday, the Cabinet approved Bill No. 28-25, establishing the Panama Canal budget for Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 at B/.5,207.2 million, covering the period from October 1, 2025, to September 30, 2026.
The FY-2026 budget focuses on future investments, prioritizing water sustainability through the Río Indio lake project and business diversification (gas pipeline, port terminals, and logistics corridor). It also allocates resources for workforce development and well-being, management of traditional and western watersheds, and the sustainable, competitive operation of the Canal.
A direct contribution to the National Treasury of B/.3,193.8 million is expected, representing a 14.5% increase (B/.404.3 million) over FY-2025. Payments to other state entities for income tax, social security, educational insurance, and employer contributions are estimated at B/.291.1 million.
In the context of global challenges—climate uncertainty, technological advances, geopolitical tensions, and sustainability concerns—FY-2026 marks the start of an investment period aimed at strengthening the Canal’s business model and protecting the long-term value of this critical trade route. Following Cabinet approval, the budget will be submitted to the National Assembly as required by the Constitution and the Panama Canal Authority Organic Law.
Río Indio Lake: Project of Public Interest
The Cabinet also approved Resolution No. 91-25, declaring the multipurpose reservoir project in the Río Indio watershed a project of public interest. This responds to community concerns about potential land speculation and irregular management.
Two measures will protect residents’ rights: defining the project’s area of influence and its public interest status. The area of influence legally delineates which lands and communities are affected and establishes mechanisms to safeguard residents’ and landowners’ rights. Any land sales, new constructions, loans, changes in land use, or economic activities within this area will require Canal Authority approval.
All state institutions are required to collaborate to ensure orderly project development and respond efficiently to community needs. The Río Indio lake aims to guarantee water supply for over 50% of the population and support regional productive activities, including Canal operations, for the next 50 years.
New Rules for Donations: Panama City Hall Updates Manual
The Panama City Hall, in collaboration with the technical team of the Comptroller General of the Republic (CGRP), has completed the standardization of the Manual of Procedures for the Receipt of Goods as Donations after several months of joint work.
The process, led by the City Hall’s Internal Audit Directorate, lasted approximately six months with guidance from the Accounting Methods and Systems Directorate of the CGRP.
“Our goal is to strengthen procedures in order to eliminate gaps we have faced when receiving donations,” said Isis Jurado, Director of Internal Audit at the City Hall, highlighting that the manual enhances transparency and reduces room for subjectivity.
Publication and Implementation of Donations Procedures at Panama City Hall
The manual will be published by the CGRP in the Official Gazette, officially coming into effect. Jurado noted that the next phase will be to train all administrative units of the City Hall to ensure proper implementation of the procedures.
With this tool, Panama City Hall aims to ensure clearer and more efficient processes for receiving donations, strengthening citizen trust and promoting responsible management of public resources.
State Revenues Grow 11.6% in the First Half of 2025, Announces DGI
The General Directorate of Revenue (DGI) reported that the State’s current revenues totaled $4,019.9 million in the first half of 2025, representing an 11.6% increase compared to the same period in 2024.
Of the total collected, $3,912 million was in cash and $108.1 million in fiscal documents, announced DGI Director Camilo Valdés. According to the report, this result reflects a solid recovery in revenue collection amid a context marked by social conflicts that affected the economy.
Tax revenues reached $3,255.5 million, up 10.8% from the previous year, representing over 80% of current revenues. Within this category, income tax grew 20.2% ($282.1 million); property tax increased 112.3% ($56.6 million); and capital gains on securities rose 251% ($44 million). Import revenues also rose by 7.5%.
Meanwhile, non-tax revenues totaled $743.5 million, with a growth of 24%, driven by higher fees and charges ($503.7 million, +19.4%) and profits from state-owned companies and contributions ($239.9 million, +35%).
The report highlights that this performance reflects the tax administration’s efforts to improve management and strengthen fiscal policy.
Additionally, it emphasizes that the growth of domestic revenues strengthens the confidence of citizens, investors, and international organizations, providing a solid foundation to finance priority projects and maintain the country’s economic stability.
Fiscal Lottery 2025: MEF Announces First Draw on Thursday, August 28
The Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF) announced that the first draw of the Fiscal Lottery 2025 will take place on Thursday, August 28, at 3:00 p.m. at Los Andes Mall.
Participating is simple and requires following the steps established to ensure your invoices are valid:
1. Request your fiscal invoice
- When purchasing at any business in Panama, always request your fiscal invoice issued through a system authorized by the General Directorate of Revenue (DGI).
- The invoice must be in your name, with your national ID (cédula) or RUC, or resident card/passport for foreigners.
- If you did not request the invoice with your information, write your full name and ID number on the back of the invoice.
2. Collect your invoices
- Each envelope must contain a minimum of five (5) invoices.
- You may include invoices from one or multiple businesses.
- Only original and legible invoices are accepted.
- Invoices must have an issue date up to two months prior to the draw you wish to enter.
- There is no minimum purchase amount required to participate.
3. Prepare the envelope
Place the invoices in a sealed envelope and write on the front:
- Full name
- ID number
- Phone number
- Email address
- Residential address
- Month of participation (e.g., “July 2025 Draw”)
4. Deposit your envelope
Deposit the envelope in any of the official DGI collection boxes:
- Provincial Revenue Offices
- Other authorized points, which will be officially announced
It is recommended to check official DGI channels to know the collection points available for each draw.
Venezuelan Corruption Hits Panama’s Economy
Transparency Venezuela details the involvement of Panamanian companies in the Venezuelan corruption network and highlights opportunities for collaboration in combating this issue.
Transparency Venezuela, the Venezuelan chapter in exile of Transparency International, has identified 178 investigations related to the corruption network in Venezuela that mention companies incorporated in Panama.
The investigations are being conducted by courts in 30 countries worldwide. “From these cases, we have access to 60% of the files, and based on what the files reveal, $69 billion are involved,” explained Mercedes De Freitas, Executive Director of Transparency Venezuela, during a meeting on Wednesday, August 20, with journalists and members of the Foundation for Citizen Freedom (Panama chapter of Transparency International). “And that is just the tip of the iceberg, because as a civil society organization, we do not have access to all investigations. In Panama, we know of two investigations thanks to media reports. However, we would need much more information on what types of cases are being processed in money laundering, corruption, and organized crime jurisdictions, which are different,” she added.
In May, Transparency Venezuela collaborated with the Latin American Center for Investigative Journalism (CLIP) on a case involving a Panamanian businessman. “We conducted an investigation and, based on journalist leaks, found that some Panamanian businessmen obtained lucrative contracts in Venezuela for many years to build vertical gyms, spectacular stadiums—one was a baseball stadium—export food, and supply appliances,” De Freitas said. “These companies were directly connected to the nieces and nephews of the Venezuelan first lady. Every time the company received payments for their services, through contracts granted directly, part of the payment immediately went to the spouse of the niece of the first lady and other relatives of Nicolás Maduro,” she added.
No names of Panamanian businessmen or companies were disclosed to avoid hindering judicial investigations.
Panama as a Potential Ally
For the organization, Panama could be a strong ally in the fight against corruption. They highlighted Panama’s exclusion from the European Union blacklist and recognized that the country responds to information requests regarding money laundering and terrorism financing. However, much more can be done.
“Panama and the rest of the world could do something that the financial sector finds difficult: publish the ultimate beneficial owners. Why can’t we know who the legitimate and final owner of companies is? Why the secrecy? This secrecy costs us, it costs states, and it must be broken,” De Freitas pointed out.
Economic and Social Impacts
The effects of corruption are felt at various levels. From rising prices caused by a real estate bubble and higher credit card interest rates to compromised public security due to criminal groups funded by corruption money.
“This affects us in multiple ways. The first is that when illicit flows enter our financial system, it distorts the system, increases costs, and complicates life for us Panamanians. A clear example is the real estate market,” said Olga De Obaldía of the Foundation for Citizen Freedom. “The first step, I would say, is the judicialization of identified cases. The next is closing the spaces where these illicit funds can move freely in the country. This requires regulatory improvements, for example, in the real estate system,” she explained.
In March, Transparency International published the 2025 Real Estate Ownership Opacity Index (OREO), which places Panama among the most vulnerable jurisdictions in the world for money laundering through real estate.
“Another measure is to ensure that the assets and interests of politically exposed persons (PEPs) are public. Numerous cases exist where a person with political power protects illicit funds entering the country. Public disclosure allows society and the media to exercise social oversight more broadly, compensating for limited judicial resources,” she added.
Collaboration with Panamanian Authorities
Transparency Venezuela’s visit to Panama seeks to establish connections with authorities to join forces against corruption. “Our presence in Panama aims, first, to verify and confirm how many cases involving Venezuelan actors in corruption or related crimes exist in this country, and secondly, to offer authorities the information Transparency Venezuela has accumulated over the years, which is extensive,” said José Ugaz, former President of Transparency International.
“There are databases, network analyses, and a well-documented platform with a series of reports that we believe can be useful to Panamanian authorities investigating crimes linked to Venezuela,” he added.
Fuel Prices Drop Slightly in Panama Until Thursday, September 5
The National Energy Secretariat reported that fuel prices in Panama will experience a slight decrease from Friday, August 22, until September 4, 2025.
- 95-octane gasoline will decrease by B/.0.02 per liter.
- 91-octane gasoline will decrease by B/.0.01 per liter.
- Diesel will see a reduction of B/.0.03 per liter.
These new prices will be in effect for two weeks, as part of the biweekly adjustment established by the energy authorities.
