Famous Panamanian Leaders

Omar Efraín Torrijos Herrera was a Panamanian dictator, the Commander of the Panamanian National Guard, and military leader of Panama from 1968 until his death in 1981. He held the title of "Maximum Leader of the Panamanian Revolution" and implemented various social reforms. Torrijos is most notably remembered for negotiating the 1977 Torrijos–Carter Treaties, which granted Panama full sovereignty over the Panama Canal after 1999, ending the long-standing U.S. control of the strategic waterway.

Juan Carlos Varela Rodríguez is a Panamanian businessman and former politician. He served as the 37th President of Panama from 2014 to 2019, after previously holding positions as Vice President and Minister of Foreign Relations under President Ricardo Martinelli. Varela led the Panameñistas political party and won the 2014 presidential election. However, in 2023, he faced accusations of corruption by the US government, alleging that he accepted bribes in exchange for improperly awarding government contracts, which he denied.

Guillermo Endara was a prominent Panamanian politician who served as the president of Panama from 1989 to 1994. He began his political career as a member of Panama's National Assembly and later became a government minister. Endara gained international recognition for his role in opposing the Manuel Noriega military dictatorship, leading to his presidency after the U.S. invasion of Panama. During his term, he focused on economic growth and democratic reform, although his administration faced challenges and his popularity declined.

Mireya Elisa Moscoso Rodríguez is a Panamanian politician who served as the President of Panama from 1999 to 2004. She became involved in politics during the 1968 presidential campaign of Arnulfo Arias and later took over his coffee business and political party. Despite losing the 1994 presidential election, she made history by winning the 1999 election as Panama's first female president. During her presidency, she oversaw the transfer of the Panama Canal and faced challenges from an economic downturn and corruption scandals.

Manuel Noriega Moreno was a Panamanian military officer and politician who ruled as the de facto leader of Panama from 1983 to 1989. He never officially served as president, operating as a military dictator with puppet presidents. Noriega amassed wealth through drug trafficking with ties to American intelligence agencies. His career included rising through the ranks in the Panamanian army, working closely with Omar Torrijos, and serving as a conduit for illicit activities in collaboration with U.S. intelligence agencies.

Martín Torrijos is a Panamanian politician known for his significant contributions during his presidency from 2004 to 2009. He played a key role in reforming social security and pensions, as well as spearheading the $5 billion expansion of the Panama Canal. His background in economics and political science, combined with his experience in the Democratic Revolutionary Party, propelled him to become the party's presidential candidate in both the 1999 and 2004 general elections. Torrijos continues to be an influential figure in Panamanian politics, currently serving as the presidential candidate for the Christian democratic People's Party in the upcoming 2024 general elections.

Ricardo Martinelli is a Panamanian politician and businessman who served as the 36th President of Panama from 2009 to 2014. He was involved in various corruption cases during his presidency, including embezzlement of public funds and money laundering. Martinelli was accused of using public funds to acquire several Panamanian media outlets while in office. He faced multiple trials for corruption, including cases related to Odebrecht, New Business, Financial Pacific, and Blue Apple scandals. In 2024, he was convicted and sentenced to ten years in prison for his illegal activities.

Isabel de Saint Malo García de Alvarado is a prominent Panamanian politician and diplomat known for her leadership as the former Vice President of Panama and Minister of Foreign Affairs. She made history as the first woman to hold these positions in Panama. With over 30 years of experience, Saint Malo is recognized for her expertise in global affairs, human development, gender equality, poverty eradication, and social inequality. She is a skilled negotiator, strategist, and consensus-builder, having successfully managed organizations and non-profits while contributing to public policy development in Latin America.

Arnulfo Arias Madrid was a prominent Panamanian politician, medical doctor, and writer who served as the President of Panama on three separate occasions in 1940-1941, 1949-1951, and briefly in October 1968. Throughout his career, he staunchly opposed the growing influence of the military in Panamanian politics and sought to diminish their power. Despite his electoral success, he faced opposition from the military, leading to his removal from the presidency in three separate military coups.

Zulay Rodríguez Lu is a prominent Panamanian lawyer, professor, and politician affiliated with the Democratic Revolutionary Party (PRD). She serves as a deputy for Circuit 8–6 and holds the esteemed position of First Vice President of the National Assembly. With a strong background in law and education, she has made significant contributions to the political landscape of Panama. Known for her dedication to public service, Rodríguez is actively involved in shaping policies and legislation that impact the country and its citizens.

Manuel Solís Palma had a diverse professional career in Panamanian politics. He served as education minister in various administrations and was involved in the 1968 presidential campaign of Arnulfo Arias Madrid. In 1988, he became acting president under the military rule of Manuel Noriega, although his legitimacy was not recognized by the US. Solís held office until shortly before the US invasion of Panama in 1989. He was later described as one of Noriega's puppet rulers and was eventually pardoned for any crimes committed during that time. In later years, he continued to serve as an advisor in the administration of Martín Torrijos.

Lorena Castillo García de Varela is a Panamanian journalist turned politician. She transitioned from a successful journalism career, including roles at Telemetro, to supporting her husband's political endeavors. In 2014, she assumed the role of First Lady of Panama until 2019. Her dedication to public service was further acknowledged when she was appointed as a "Special Advocate for AIDS in Latin America" by UNAIDS executive director Michel Sidibé in 2015, highlighting her commitment to important social causes.

DJ Black, also known as DJ Negro, is a prominent Panamanian recording artist, songwriter, producer, and music executive. He gained widespread recognition in 2008 with his hit song "Chucha Su Madre," which sparked controversy and praise. Despite being censored by the Panamanian government for its explicit content, the song topped the charts and was a standout during Carnival 2008. DJ Black's popularity continued to soar, leading to his appointment as the Director/Minister of Culture by President Ricardo Martinelli. His music remains a favorite on Panamanian radio, setting records for play frequency.

Balbina Del Carmen Herrera Araúz is a Panamanian politician who ran as a presidential candidate in the 2009 Panamanian general election. She competed against center-right candidate Ricardo Martinelli but was unsuccessful in winning the race for the presidency of Panama. Throughout her career, Herrera has been actively involved in politics, advocating for various social and economic issues. Her participation in the presidential election demonstrates her commitment to public service and leadership in the political sphere of Panama.

Rómulo Escobar Bethancourt was a Panamanian politician and diplomat known for his role in negotiating the 1977 Panama Canal treaties, which helped Panama regain partial control over the canal. He was a trained criminal lawyer and a member of the communist party in Panama. Escobar served as Panama's chief negotiator during the treaty negotiations, showcasing his skills as a capable diplomat. He later became a founder of the Democratic Revolutionary Party and continued to play a key role in Panamanian politics, despite challenges such as the US invasion of Panama in 1989.