The year 2025 in the province of Veraguas has been marked by a series of social, climatic, and security challenges, but also by acts of solidarity that reflect the resilience and human commitment present in the region. This year was defined by significant events that exposed both the vulnerability of entire communities to natural phenomena and social violence, as well as the capacity for solidarity and response from certain sectors in critical situations. During October and part of November, intense rains caused severe damage in the districts of Mariato, Soná, and Las Palmas. Dozens of families were affected, left in a state of needing aid and awaiting financial and social support. The precipitation also caused significant damage to roads and access routes, worsening the isolation of rural communities and, according to residents, highlighting the prolonged neglect by authorities. In terms of public security, Eira Lucía Velasco, president of the foundation Sin Miedo, stated that numerous Veraguan families experienced moments of deep anguish due to violent acts that shocked the population. According to Yadira Pino, an educator and community leader, several murders of women by their partners and cases of sexual violence within the family were recorded in 2025, generating urgent calls to reinforce prevention, victim support, and the application of the law. Gullibert Iglesias, a resident of Playa Reina, explained that the fishing sector was not immune to insecurity. He stated that artisanal fishermen from Mariato, Montijo, and Soná reported constant thefts of engines, nets, and other fishing equipment, directly affecting their livelihood and increasing the feeling of insecurity in coastal areas. In environmental and health matters, the return to the use of open-air landfills was reported in some areas of the province, raising concerns about potential effects on public health. This was compounded by an increase in respiratory diseases, affecting thousands of people throughout the year, leading health authorities to reiterate prevention recommendations. Nevertheless, 2025 also left room for hope and solidarity. In the district of Santa Fe, Teacher's Day was celebrated differently: educators and community members came together to help build a house for a sick student, a gesture widely recognized by the population. Similarly, the search for a young man reported missing in the community of El Pedernal, in the Santiago district, intensified, mobilizing authorities, family, and volunteers. Another outstanding event was the institutional response following a report that exposed the precarious situation of a humble girl from the El Caimito community, in the La Mesa district, who was suffering from leukemia. As a result, the Ministry of Housing and Territorial Planning delivered a dignified house to the minor and her family, allowing her to continue her treatment in more dignified conditions.
