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Panama has a history of military interference in politics including military coups. Panama was ruled by two military strong men from 1969 to 1989. In 1990 one year after the ouster of Manuel Noriega Panama abolished its military. What follows is a brief history of Panama’s military.

According to the CIA World Fact Book, “On 10 February 1990, the government of then President Endara abolished Panama's military and reformed the security apparatus by creating the Panamanian Public Forces; in October 1994, Panama's Legislative Assembly approved a constitutional amendment prohibiting the creation of a standing military force but allowing the temporary establishment of special police units to counter acts of ‘external aggression’.”

Panama National Police

The first army in Panama was a brigade that defected from the Colombian army in 1903. This army tried to overthrow the government but failed in 1904. After Panama gained its independence the United States insisted that a standing army would threaten the security of the US built and operated Panama Canal. Thus the army became the ‘National Police.” This was Panama’s army for 48 years. In the 1930’s the National Police militarized with the addition of several recruits previously trained in Latin American military academies.

The National Police and the History of the Overthrow of Panama Governments

The National Police assisted in the overthrow of two Panamanian governments. In 1952 the National Police commandant, José Remón, became president himself and reorganized the National Police. The new “National Guard” retained police functions and became to more standard military force with US funding.

The National Guard under Lt. Colonel Omar Torrijos Major Boris Martínez overthrew the government in a coup in 1968.  These offices promoted themselves to generals and further changed the National Guard into a standing army. After Torrijos’ death in a plane crash in 1981 Manuel Noriega took over. He consolidated all Panama armed forces into the Panama Defense Forces (PDF) which became his private army for control of political opposition by violence.

Noriega’s Ouster and the Decline of the Panama Military

After the US invasion that captured Noriega the government of President Endara abolished the Panama military. The reformed military is the Panamanian Public Forces and includes the National Police, National Maritime Service, and National Air Service as well as a force dedicated to protection of public buildings, the National Protection Service.

Panama Military and the Future

A current issue in Panama is the amount of drug trafficking coming out of Colombia on its way to Mexico and the United States. A related issue is the use of border regions with Colombia by the revolutionary forces (FARC) of Colombia and incursions by Colombia’s Special Forces in pursuit. The argument is current that Panama needs to reconstitute its army to deal more effectively with these problems. The counter argument is that Panama is doing well, prospering as a democratic country and does not need to repeat its history of army that could threaten standing governments.

Forty nations participate yearly in a joint exercise to practice defense of the Panama Canal. The United States is primary in these exercises which primarily promote improved communications among the participants in case of a real problem in defending the Panama Canal. Despite handing the Panama Canal over to Panama in 1999 the United States retains the right by treaty to defend the Panama Canal itself in the event of a threat to this world shipping resource.

Panama Prosperity and the Military

Panama is prospering, real estate is booming, and the investment is helping Panama improve its infrastructure. Currently it would seem that no one wants to rock this boat. Any change in the military will need to pass scrutiny of a country happy with its economic progress. For information regarding Panama’s booming real estate market please feel free to contact us at ABPanama. We have over 23 years experience managing real estate portfolios and do business throughout the country.