Cuadernos Nacionales

Mobility on the Margins

Paul Antonio Córdoba Mendoza , Samuel Alberto Pinto , Guillermo Mendoza — Mon, 28 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0000

This essay explores return migration through alternative circuits, an emerging modality among Venezuelan and other South American migrants who, faced with structural barriers such as mass deportations, visa requirements, and the militarization of routes to the United States, opt to return to their countries of origin via informal maritime routes through the Panamanian Caribbean. The objective is to understand how these marginal trajectories shape new forms of collective agency, territorial appropriation, and symbolic resistance to hegemonic migration control regimes. An exploratory methodology was used, based on documentary analysis, complemented by social media observations and telephone contact with logistical operators, to reconstruct the operation of an informal route connecting Puerto Miramar with Puerto Obaldía and Necoclí. The findings show that this mobility, far from being spontaneous, follows a logic of informal transnational organization, sustained by digital networks, community actors, and local economies. This form of return reveals a social production of migrant space, at times tolerated by states, which highlights the tension between sovereignty, informality, and human mobility. These practices should be recognized as legitimate expressions of migrant agency and territoriality in a deeply unequal global context.

Digital Economy

Maritza E. Villalaz Franco , Virginia I. Q. de Muñoz , Vielsa Ríos — Mon, 28 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0000

The purpose of this study was to diagnose the digital competencies of Economics students and to design an educational intervention aimed at strengthening the identified critical areas. A validated questionnaire was applied to assess skills in virtual communication, digital security, tool management, technical problem-solving, and online collaboration, complemented by descriptive and inferential statistical analysis. The initial results revealed significant deficiencies, confirming the gap between traditional academic training and the demands of the digital economy. Consequently, a formative intervention based on practical projects and collaborative challenges was implemented, resulting in a substantial improvement in the evaluated competencies. Furthermore, practical applications were observed, including the achievement of research awards, validating the effectiveness of the proposed strategy. Overall, the study demonstrated that targeted educational interventions can significantly reduce the digital skills gap in higher education, thus contributing to the modernization of university curricula and enhancing students’ professional readiness in the context of accelerating digital transformation.

Financial inclusion and the impact on the strengthening of peruvian MYPES

Lizbeth Vásquez Delgado — Mon, 28 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Financial inclusion is one of the necessary pillars for the economic development of micro and small enterprises in Peru, which are undoubtedly an important agent if we talk about formal employment and the country's Gross Domestic Product. This article analyzes the evolution of the financial inclusion of micro and small enterprises during the years 2021 to 2023, as well as the challenges they faced and the opportunities presented during the COVID-19 pandemic. Through a review of relevant data, aspects such as the importance of digitalization, the inherent need for financial education to foster a more inclusive environment, and the policies implemented by the State are examined. To this end, the analytical-synthetic method has been used, with a quantitative and qualitative approach on the other and a non-experimental design, presenting documentary and statistical analysis as the main technique, with a simple correlation model of the investigated variables, considering the years 2021 to 2023 as the study period. The analysis has concluded that financial inclusion reduces informality disparities in a measurable and notorious way, thus contributing to the strengthening of micro and small enterprises, however, there are many limitations they face to achieve it. For this reason, State policies must establish correct mechanisms that translate into sustainable financial inclusion.

Application of traditional medicine in rural communities of Babahoyo

Mon, 28 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0000

The objective of this study was to establish the current state of knowledge about the use of medicinal plants in rural communities: Caracol, Febres Cordero, La Unión and Pimocha de Babahoyo, Los Ríos Province, Ecuador, between October 2023 and March 2024. An observational, descriptive, field and transversal research was carried out. 388 adults between 20 and 65 years of both sexes participated, to whom a questionnaire was applied to obtain information about the plants they use, the diseases they treat, the parts of the plant used, the method of preparation, the amount of consumption, the route of administration, negative reactions and use of rituals. In addition, photographs and samples of the plants were obtained for their taxonomic identification. The main results were: 11 species of plants with medicinal use were identified, with the leaves being the most used part. The main form of preparation was infusion and the most used route of administration was oral. Significant differences were found in knowledge of the species according to sex and age range, with a greater predominance of the female sex, level of primary education and married marital status. The most used medicinal plants were: chamomile, eucalyptus, Santa María and lemon verbena. In conclusion, this study allowed us to know the current use of medicinal plants in the rural communities of Babahoyo, identifying the most used species and use patterns related to sociodemographic characteristics.

Socioeconomic factors impacting the community of Majara, Lídice, Capira district, West Panama

Danytza Berry — Mon, 28 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0000

This research work identifies the social and economic factors of the condition of poverty and inequality existing in the homes of the community of Majara, located in the village of Lídice, Province of Panamá Oeste, in order to contribute to favorable decision making and implement development mechanisms for a better quality of life in the priority areas. We reviewed theories that support the factors that condition poverty, and the existing controversies in their approaches, in order to identify the precise variables to the study and at the same time, visualize the most effective variables to achieve the purpose of the study. The results were presented through tables and graphs that describe the behaviors observed and the perception of the respondents about their family socioeconomic conditions. The analysis of the results shows that the population of Majara lives in conditions of severe poverty. The economically active population is in the informal subsistence economy, with low income levels; as well as schooling that reaches an average of six years. They lack the essential services to satisfy the basic family needs, limited access to drinking water and sanitary services, among other deficiencies, which represents another aspect within the conditions of poverty.

Jatropha curcas in Panama

Jaime Espinosa-Tasón — Mon, 28 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Biodiesel from Jatropha curcas emerged as a promising alternative to fossil fuels in Panama, driven by Law 42 of 2011. However, its adoption has been limited by the lack of incentives and the need to optimize its agronomic management. This study analyzes the advances in the production and management of J. curcas in Panama, contextualizing them with experiences in Latin America. Field trials in Panama highlighted the importance of controlled pruning and fertilization to improve fruit production. Differences between theoretical and field planting densities were identified, highlighting the need to validate them with local data. The extracted oil showed a fatty acid profile suitable for biodiesel, comparable with other countries in the region. The economic viability of the crop depends on cost optimization and economies of scale. Labor is a key component, suggesting exploring the mechanization of harvesting. Panama lacks specific incentives for J. curcas, unlike other countries with support programs. Its consolidation as an alternative for the bioeconomy requires research in genetic improvement, agronomic strategies and incentive policies.

Panama Railroad from 1912 to 1996

Nodier Leonardo García Gómez — Mon, 28 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0000

This research has the goal to document, preserve and share the uncompiled history of the Panama Railroad during the years right after the Panama Canal construction until the cease of operation of the line in 1996. A review is done from south to north of the railroad line, providing details of all the passenger stations that existed alongside the line. The methodology used in this qualitative and documental consist of reviewing bibliographic material and visual records from the Roberto F. Chiari - Panama Canal Authority Library and the newspaper archive of the Ernesto J. Castillero National Library. With this, eleven stations that were part of the line are described from the time of the relocation of the railroad line until the cease of operation under the Panamanian government in 1996.

Editorial

Luis Pulido Ritter — Mon, 28 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0000