Friday, February 7, 2025.
The Dance of Order and Chaos: Embracing the Unpredictable Path to Growth
We often seek order in our lives—structure, predictability, and the comfort of knowing what comes next. It gives us a sense of control, a roadmap to follow. But the moment we take steps toward change—toward something greater—chaos inevitably follows. Not as a punishment, but as an unavoidable, even necessary, force in the process of transformation.
Think about buying a house. You carefully choose a location, negotiate a price, and envision a smooth transition. But then come the surprises: a sudden change in interest rates, hidden flaws in the property, delays in paperwork, unforeseen expenses, or maybe the developers decide to stop construction for an entire month (without tell you) due to their failures and financial misfortunes. It’s frustrating, messy, even discouraging. Yet, if you persevere, adapt, and trust the process, you find yourself standing at the doorstep of your new home, keys in hand. The chaos wasn’t a deviation from the plan—it was part of the plan.
This pattern repeats itself in business, relationships, and even in self-improvement. Every major breakthrough is preceded by uncertainty. You set a goal, you take action, and then the storm comes—obstacles, setbacks, moments of doubt. It would be easy to retreat, to abandon the effort in favor of stability. But those who succeed aren’t the ones who avoid chaos; they are the ones who navigate it.
The world itself operates on this principle. Nature thrives in cycles of destruction and rebirth. Forest fires, while devastating, make way for new ecosystems. Rivers carve landscapes over millennia, their seemingly chaotic flow shaping the very foundation of the land. And in our own lives, disorder is often the prelude to something greater—if we have the resilience to embrace it.
At BM Investigations, we live at the intersection of order and chaos. Investigative work, by its nature, begins in uncertainty. A case unfolds, the details are scattered, and at first, nothing makes sense. But through logic, persistence, and experience, order emerges from the disorder. Truth reveals itself. The chaos wasn’t an obstacle—it was the necessary path to clarity.
So, as you push forward in your own pursuits—whether in your career, your personal growth, or even in the quiet battles no one else sees—remember this: chaos is not the enemy of order. It is the catalyst. Every moment of uncertainty, every unexpected challenge, is shaping something greater. Trust the process, hold your ground, and move forward.
Because in the dance between order and chaos, those who learn to move with both will always find their way.
Brett Mikkelson
CEO, BM Investigations
TOP NEWS and TIDBITS:
Fuel Prices Will Drop Starting This Friday, February 7
Starting this Friday, liquid fuel prices in Panama will experience a slight decrease. The price per liter of 95 and 91 octane gasoline will drop by one cent, while diesel prices will decrease by two cents.
Fuel Prices Starting This Friday
Panama
- 95 octane: 0.922
- 91 octane: 0.877
- Diesel: 0.853
Colón
- 95 octane: 0.922
- 91 octane: 0.877
- Diesel: 0.853
La Chorrera & Arraiján
- 95 octane: 0.925
- 91 octane: 0.880
- Diesel: 0.856
Penonomé
- 95 octane: 0.830
- 91 octane: 0.853
- Diesel: 0.798
Las Tablas
- 95 octane: 0.898
- 91 octane: 0.885
- Diesel: 0.861
Santiago
- 95 octane: 0.935
- 91 octane: 0.890
- Diesel: 0.866
David
- 95 octane: 0.943
- 91 octane: 0.898
- Diesel: 0.874
Changuinola
- 95 octane: 0.972
- 91 octane: 0.927
- Diesel: 0.903
Panama City Hall Tightens Measures Against Noise in the City
The Panama City Hall has regulated a decree on noise control in the city. The objective: to strengthen peaceful coexistence and improve the quality of life for residents. This was announced by the municipality in a press release.
The new decree establishes clear procedures for reporting, measuring, and sanctioning noise emissions that exceed permitted levels.
Key Provisions Include:
- Expanded authority for Municipal Surveillance and other officials, allowing them to conduct noise measurements and impose immediate sanctions.
- Seizure, removal, or confiscation of sound equipment contributing to noise pollution.
- Temporary closure of establishments or suspension of activities that generate excessive noise.
- Community service or donation of confiscated goods as additional penalties alongside fines.
Mayor Mayer Mizrachi emphasized the importance of this new regulation in the pursuit of a more orderly and harmonious city.
“With this decree, we reaffirm our commitment to the well-being of the community and the right of citizens to an environment free from noise pollution,” he stated.
On February 4, the Mayoral Decree No. 005 of January 23, 2025, which regulates the provisions established in Municipal Agreement No. 141 of 2014, was published in the Official Gazette.
Attachment Decree on Noise in the City.pdf
Panama and China’s Belt and Road Initiative: What Does Its Withdrawal Mean?
Panama’s President, José Raúl Mulino, confirmed that his government will not renew the memorandum of understanding on the Belt and Road Initiative, signed in 2017 between Panama and China.
Meanwhile, China’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Fu Cong, stated on Monday that his country “has no involvement in the management or operation of the Panama Canal and has never interfered in Canal affairs,” in response to speculation about Chinese influence in the country.
“We will study the possibility of terminating it earlier or not. I believe the renewal is due in one or two years,” Mulino said, referring to the agreement that framed cooperation in infrastructure and trade under the Chinese initiative.
The Silk Road refers to a historic network of land and maritime trade routes promoted by China since the 1st century BC. In the modern context, the Chinese government relaunched this strategy in 2013 under the name Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), aiming to strengthen its global influence through infrastructure and trade projects.
Why Is Panama Withdrawing from the Belt and Road Initiative?
Mulino’s announcement marks a shift in Panama’s foreign policy, which in 2017 had strengthened ties with China by establishing diplomatic relations and signing the Belt and Road memorandum.
The decision not to renew the agreement could reflect a new geopolitical approach, in which Panama seeks to redefine its position in international trade and its relationships with major powers such as the United States and China.
Over 7,000 Claims Resolved in Home Purchases Worth Over $379 Million
A total of 7,143 claims in favor of consumers affected by various irregularities in home purchases between 2006 and 2024, amounting to a total of $379.6 million, have been resolved by the Consumer Protection and Competition Defense Authority (Acodeco).
According to official data, most of these cases were resolved through agreements between buyers and real estate companies, with 3,414 complaints resolved for a total of $211.9 million. Another 3,093 claims were closed due to withdrawal, totaling $155.2 million, while 390 cases were resolved through administrative resolutions by the agency, amounting to $673,514.
Additionally, Acodeco’s Public Defender obtained favorable court rulings for 149 buyers, resulting in the recovery of $11.2 million. A total of 86 claims were resolved through extrajudicial transactions, for a sum of $99,441.
During the same period, 11,375 complaints were filed against real estate companies, reaching a total amount of $707 million. The main reasons for complaints include:
- Abusive clauses: 2,522 cases ($285.7 million)
- Breach of contract: 2,478 cases ($157.6 million)
- Lack of information: 1,657 cases ($37.4 million)
- Failure to honor warranties: 1,072 cases ($73.1 million)
- Refunds: 1,146 cases ($25.5 million)
- Hidden defects: 1,032 cases ($65.1 million)
MEF Strengthens Panama’s Position as a Logistics Hub
The Minister of Economy and Finance (MEF), Felipe Chapman, highlighted the country’s importance as a global logistics hub during a meeting with representatives from the Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean (CAF). During the meeting, strategies for financing and investment were discussed to strengthen the private sector and take advantage of the country’s competitive advantages.
Chapman emphasized that technical support from institutions like CAF is crucial for reviewing and optimizing the Government’s Strategic Plan, as well as for evaluating reports from credit rating agencies and investment banks. According to the minister, these analyses not only identify areas for improvement but also highlight key opportunities in sectors such as logistics, nearshoring, and tourism.
MEF Focuses on Logistics Growth in Panama
Regarding the global economy, Chapman pointed out that growing interconnectedness presents both challenges and opportunities. However, he warned that some countries, including Panama, were not adequately prepared to adapt to these changes. “Many of us made the mistake of not being prepared and not taking the right measures,” he stated, emphasizing the importance of implementing strategies based on critical thinking and anticipation.
Regarding the country’s fiscal situation, Chapman acknowledged that Panama faced significant economic challenges in the past year, including a considerable fiscal deficit and a decline in projected revenues. Despite this, he noted that expenditure containment measures helped reduce the deficit by approximately $1.8 billion, in the context of an economy with a GDP of less than $90 billion.
The minister stressed that the recently published Government Strategic Planprovides a clear diagnosis of the current economic situation and a concrete roadmap for addressing challenges and achieving national goals in this complex environment.
The meeting was attended by Sergio Díaz-Granados, Executive President of CAF; Christian Asinelli, Corporate Vice President of Strategic Programming; and Gabriel Felpeto, Vice President of Finance. This meeting reaffirms the commitment between Panama and CAF to promote projects and strategies that strengthen the country’s and region’s economic development.
Panama Prepares to Celebrate Good Deeds Day 2025
On April 6th, Panama will once again join the global celebration of Good Deeds Day, a global initiative that promotes solidarity and volunteering in more than 115 countries.
Under the slogan “One Good Deed = A Better World,” thousands of Panamanians will come together to help those in greatest need.
Eva Bettsak, the national coordinator of the program for 2025, highlighted the impact of this day, which each year mobilizes millions of volunteers worldwide. “Good Deeds Day was born in Israel in 2007, driven by businesswoman and philanthropist Shari Arison, and today it is a global event that unites individuals, organizations, and companies with a common purpose: to do good,” she explained.
In Panama, the initiative is organized by the Jewish-Panamanian Foundation (JUPÁ), B’nai B’rith Panama, and Volunteers of Panama through the platform “Ponte en Algo.”
Since its first edition in the country in 2015, the event has significantly grown in reach and participation. In 2024, over 11,000 Panamanian volunteers carried out more than 700 good deeds, joining the 4.5 million volunteers worldwide who completed 23,000 projects.
How to Participate in Good Deeds Day?
The activities of Good Deeds Day encompass a wide range of solidarity initiatives, both individual and collective.
These include:
- Donation of clothes, blood, or food
- Reforestation and beach cleanups
- Animal adoption
- Renovation of parks and recreational areas
- Collection and donation of books
- Academic tutoring for children and youth
- Virtual volunteering actions through digital platforms
“Volunteering can be in person or virtual, individual or in groups. What matters is contributing with a good deed, no matter how big or small,” Bettsak emphasized.
Thanks to the recognition and support received by Good Deeds Day in Panama, key partnerships have been established with the public and private sectors, allowing the expansion of projects and the inclusion of more volunteers each year.
The organization announced that those who wish to be part of this great day of solidarity can find more information on the “Ponte en Algo” platform.
