Number: RL30981
Title: Panama: Political and Economic Conditions and U.S. Relations
Authors: Mark P. Sullivan, Foreign Affairs, Defense, and Trade Division 
Abstract: Panama has made notable political and economic progress since the December 1989 U.S. military intervention that ousted the military regime of General Manual Antonio Noriega from power. The intervention was the culmination of two and a half years of strong U.S. pressure against the de facto political rule of Noriega, commander of the Panama Defense Forces. Since that time, the country has had four successive civilian governments, with the current government of President Martín Torrijos elected in May 2004 to a five-year term. Inaugurated on September 1, 2004, Torrijos is the son of former populist leader General Omar Torrijos. His electoral alliance, led by the Democratic Revolutionary Party (PRD), also won a majority of seats in the unicameral Legislative Assembly. Jockeying has already begun for Panama's next presidential and legislative elections scheduled for May 2009.
Pages: 30
Date: October 14, 2008