Panama
The Republic of Panama is a Central American country, and Panama City is the capital. The capital has 2 million inhabitants, and is home to over half of Panama’s total population.
In Panama, indigenous tribes maintained control before Spanish colonists arrived in the 16th century. Panama joined the Republic of Gran Colombia in 1821 after breaking away from Spanish rule. The dissolution in 1831 led to Panama and Nueva Granada becoming the Republic of Colombia. The US backed the country, and in 1903 it broke away with the formation of the Panama Canal. Proceeds from tolls taken at the Panama Canal have a major impact on Panama’s economy.
Panama is a founding member of the United Nations. It is also a member of WHO and NAM, LAIA, and G77. In 1903, the Hay–Bunau-Varilla Treaty with the United States was the formal marking of Panama’s independence from Spanish rule. Between 1903 to 1968, Panama ruled as a constitutional democracy.
Due to major corruption under different leaders, the United States led the Operation Just Cause on December 20, 1989, to protect the Panamanian people. This invasion was meant to help control drug trafficking, corruption, and protect human rights in the country and removing Manuel Noriega from power.
Today in Panama, the President serving as head of state and government. Elections are nationally mandated and are universal. All citizens over the age of 18 must vote. Elections take place every five years in Panama.
Panama has is ranked as an upper middle class GDP, however, major disparities exist in the education levels of its citizens. The key geographic location of Panama gives rise to its economy, with trade, tourism, and commerce are key economic drivers. The Panama Canal was built by the US Army Corps of Engineers at the beginning of the 20th century, and in 1977 an agreement was signed to transfer ownership of the canal back to Panama by the end of the 21st centuries.
Judicial authority in Panama rests in the Supreme Court, as the highest court in the country. The President appoints the nine justices to a 10-year term. There are four superior and 18 circuit courts in Panama, and each district also has a minimum of one district court. The corregidores and night judges, hear criminal and civil cases in the Panamanian courts. The Panamanian Constitution guarantees the right to counsel, to anyone charged with criminal infractions, with trial by jury being afforded to certain cases.
The National Law Review covers Panama and the country’s international relations. Recent coverage of the Panama Papers scandal, employment law, international corruption and money laundering, and international affairs, are topics visitors can read about online.