The Republic of Panama was created in 1903 when it declared its independence from Colombia. The United States helped Panama in it's bid for independence by sending troops to protect US economic interests in the Canal, then under construction.

In 1904 Panama passed a Constitution as an independent state, modeled on the Colombian Constitution. The Constitution was rewritten in 1941, and again in 1972, following a military coup, and remains in its current form after several reforms in the intervening years.

Panama's government is structured as a representative democracy, with the president serving as both head of state and head of government. The current President of the Republic Martín Torrijos, of the Democratic Revolutionary Party, was elected to a single, five-year term in 2004 by popular vote, along with 12 cabinet ministers.

The legislative branch consists of a National Assembly, whose members are also elected by popular vote to five-year terms. The judicial branch is separate from the executive and legislative branches of government, and consists of a Supreme Court of Justice, Tribunals and appointed judges.

President: Martín Torrijos
Vice-President: Samuel Luis Navarro
Second Vice-President: Rubén Arosemena Valdés

Political Parties and Leaders

Democratic Revolutionary Party (PRD) — Martin Torrijos
Democratic Change (CD) — Ricardo Martinelli
National Liberal Party (PLN) — Anibal Galindo
Nationalist Republican Liberal Movement (Molirena) — Jesus Rosas
Panamenista Party (PA- formerly the Arnulfista Party) — Mireya Elisa Moscoso Rodriguez
Popular Party (PP- formerly Christian Democratic Party or PDC) — Ruben Rosemena
Solidarity Party (PS) — Jose Raul Mulino

Government Ministries:

• Ministry of the Presidency (Ministerio de la Presidencia)
• Ministry of Government and Justice (Ministerio de Gobierno y Justicia)
• Ministry of Foreign Relations (Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores)
• Ministry of Economy and Finance (Ministerio de Economía y Finanzas)
• Ministry of Commerce and Industry (Ministerio de Comercio e Industria)
• Ministry of Health (Ministerio de Salud)
• Ministry of Public Works (Ministerio de Obras Públicas)
• Ministry of Education (Ministerio de Educación)
• Ministry of Labour (Ministerio de Trabajo y Desarrollo Laboral)
• Ministry of Housing (Ministerio de Vivienda)
• Ministry of Social Development (Ministerio de Desarrollo Social)
• Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries (Ministerio de Desarrollo Agropecuario)

The country is divided into nine provinces, three indigenous territories* and two territories**:

• Bocas del Toro
• Chiriqui
• Cocle
• Colon
• Darien
• Herrera
• Los Santos
• Panama
• Veraguas
• Kuna Yala*
• Emberá*
• Ngöbe-Buglé*
• Kuna de Madugandí**
• Kuna de Wargandí**

Other Useful Links:
Lexadin: A database of Panamanian legislation (Spanish and English)
Asamblea Nacional: Official website of the National Assembly (Spanish)
República de Panamá: Official website of the Republic of Panama (Spanish)
Organo Judicial: Official website of the Judiciary Power (Spanish)

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