Panama: Political and Economic Conditions and U.S. Relations
Abstract
With four successive elected civilian governments, the Central American nation of Panama has made notable political and economic progress since the 1989 U.S. military intervention that ousted the regime of General Manuel Antonio Noriega from power. The current President, Mart n Torrijos of the Democratic Revolutionary Party (PRD), was elected in May 2004 and inaugurated on September 1, 2004. Torrijos, the son of former populist leader General Omar Torrijos, won a decisive electoral victory with almost 48% of the vote in a four-man race. He succeeded President Mireya Moscoso of the Arnulfist Party (PA), elected in 1999, whose administration was tainted by several high-profile corruption scandals. Torrijos electoral alliance also won a majority of seats in the unicameral Legislative Assembly. The most significant challenges facing the new government include dealing with the funding deficits of the country's social security fund; developing plans for the expansion of the Panama Canal; and combating poverty (estimated at 40%) and unemployment (estimated at about 12%). After more than eight months in office, President Torrijos remains popular, with a 58% approval rating, although some observers believe that support for the government could erode unless it makes inroads into tackling unemployment and combating corruption, and some maintain that the President s popularity will be tested when he moves forward with plans to reform the social security fund. The United States has close relations with Panama, stemming in large part from the extensive history of linkages developed when the Panama Canal was under U.S. control and Panama hosted major U.S. military installations. The current bilateral relationship is characterized by extensive cooperation on counternarcotics efforts as well as U.S. assistance to help Panama assure the security of the Canal and its border with Colombia.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 20, 2005
- Accession Number
- ADA472436
Entities
People
- Mark P. Sullivan
Organizations
- Library of Congress