FOREIGN
RELATIONS
Panama is a member of the UN General Assembly and most major UN agencies. It maintains membership in several international financial institutions, including the World Bank, the Inter-American Development Bank, and the International Monetary Fund.
Panama is a member of the Organization of American States and was a founding member of the Rio Group. Although it was suspended from the Latin American Economic System--known informally both as the Group of Eight and the Rio Group--in 1988 due to its internal political system under Noriega, Panama was readmitted in 1994 as an acknowledgment of its democratic credentials.
Panama is a member of the Central American Integration System (SICA). It is in the process of withdrawing from the Central American Parliament (Parlacen). Panama joined its six Central American neighbors at the 1994 Summit of the Americas in signing the Alliance for Sustainable Development, known as the Conjunta Centroamerica-USA or CONCAUSA, to promote sustainable economic development in the region.
U.S.-PANAMANIAN RELATIONS
The United States cooperates with the Panamanian Government in promoting economic, political, security, and social development through U.S. and international agencies. Cultural ties between the two countries are strong, and many Panamanians come to the United States for higher education and advanced training. In 2007, the U.S. and Panama partnered to launch a regional health worker training center. The center provides training to community healthcare workers in Panama and throughout Central America. About 25,000 American citizens reside in Panama, many retirees from the Panama Canal Commission and individuals who hold dual nationality. There is also a rapidly growing enclave of American retirees in the Chiriqui Province in western Panama.
In the economic investment arena, the Panamanian Government has been successful in the enforcement of intellectual property rights and has concluded a Bilateral Investment Treaty Amendment with the United States and an agreement with the Overseas Private Investment Corporation. Although money laundering remains a problem, Panama passed significant reforms in 2000 intended to strengthen its cooperation against international financial crimes.
The Panama Canal Treaties
The 1977 Panama Canal Treaties entered into force on October 1,
1979. They replaced the 1903 Hay/Bunau-Varilla Treaty between
the United States and Panama (modified in 1936 and 1955), and
all other U.S.-Panama agreements concerning the Panama Canal,
which were in force on that date. The treaties comprise a basic
treaty governing the operation and defense of the Canal from October
1, 1979 to December 31, 1999 (Panama Canal Treaty) and a treaty
guaranteeing the permanent neutrality of the Canal (Neutrality
Treaty).
The details of the arrangements for U.S. operation and defense
of the Canal under the Panama Canal Treaty are spelled out in
separate implementing agreements. The Canal Zone and its government
ceased to exist when the treaties entered into force and Panama
assumed jurisdiction over Canal Zone territories and functions,
a process, which was finalized on December 31, 1999.
NATIONAL SECURITY
As of November 2008, the Panamanian Security Forces consisted of the Panamanian
National Police (PNP), the National Frontier Service (Servicio Nacional de
Fronteras or SENAFRONT), the National Aero-Naval Service (Servicio Nacional
Aero-Naval or SENAN), and the Institutional Protection Service (SPI--a secret
service equivalent). A constitutional amendment passed in 1994 permanently
abolished the military.
The lead criminal investigative entity is the Judicial Investigative Directorate (DIJ). Previously under the nominal direction of the autonomous Attorney General and known as the Technical Judicial Police (PTJ), the DIJ is now part of the PNP though it maintains investigative links with the Attorney General's office.
Principal U.S. Embassy Officials
Ambassador--Barbara Stephenson
Deputy Chief of Mission--David Gilmour
Counselor for Political Affairs--Brian Naranjo
Counselor for Economic Affairs--Joel Reifman
Counselor for Public Affairs--Thomas Mesa
Counselor for Management--Mark Perry
Consul General--Mark Fry
The U.S. Embassy in Panama is located at Edificio 783, Avenida Demetrio Basilio Lakas, Clayton, Panama City (tel: 507-207-7000). Personal and official mail for the embassy and members of the mission may be sent to: U.S. Embassy Panama, Unit 0945, APO AA 34002. E-mail: Panamaweb@state.gov
