List of Heads of State of Panama
Encyclopedia
This page lists presidents of Panama
since independence in 1840 and in 1903.
Panama
Panama , officially the Republic of Panama , is the southernmost country of Central America. Situated on the isthmus connecting North and South America, it is bordered by Costa Rica to the northwest, Colombia to the southeast, the Caribbean Sea to the north and the Pacific Ocean to the south. The...
since independence in 1840 and in 1903.
Shortlived first independence (1840-1841)
- Superior Civil Chief: 18 November 1840 - 20 March 1841 GeneralGeneralA general officer is an officer of high military rank, usually in the army, and in some nations, the air force. The term is widely used by many nations of the world, and when a country uses a different term, there is an equivalent title given....
Tomás de HerreraTomás de HerreraTomás José Ramón del Carmen de Herrera y Pérez Dávila was a neogranadine statesman and general who in 1840 became the first Head of State of the Free State of the Isthmus, now Panama... - Superior Chief of State: 20 March 1841 - 8 June 1841 the same Tomás de HerreraTomás de HerreraTomás José Ramón del Carmen de Herrera y Pérez Dávila was a neogranadine statesman and general who in 1840 became the first Head of State of the Free State of the Isthmus, now Panama...
- President: 8 June 1841 - 31 December 1841 the same Tomás de HerreraTomás de HerreraTomás José Ramón del Carmen de Herrera y Pérez Dávila was a neogranadine statesman and general who in 1840 became the first Head of State of the Free State of the Isthmus, now Panama...
President of the Municipal Council of Panama and de facto President (1903)
- Demetrio H. BridDemetrio H. BridDemetrio Honorato Brid Lasso is considered the first de facto President of the Republic of Panama. He was a Conservative....
: 3 November 1903 - 4 November 1903
Members of the Provisional Government Junta (1903-1904)
- José Agustín ArangoJosé Agustín ArangoJosé Agustín Arango was a Panamanian politician who was, together with Tomás Arias and Federico Boyd, a member of the provisional junta that governed Panama after its independence in 1903. He was the Chairman of the Provisional Government Junta from 4 November 1903 until 20 February 1904.-...
: 4 November 1903 - 20 February 1904 - Tomás AriasTomás AriasTomás Arias was a Panamanian politician and businessman who was, together with José Agustín Arango and Federico Boyd, a member of the provisional junta that governed Panama after its independence in 1903.Tomás Arias was the son of Ramon Arias and Manuela Avila...
: 4 November 1903 - 20 February 1904 - Federico BoydFederico BoydFederico Augusto Boyd López was acting President of Panama from October 1, 1910 to October 5, 1910. He belonged to the Liberal Party....
: 4 November 1903 - 20 February 1904
Presidents of Panama (1904-Present)
# | | President | Took office | Left office | Party | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Manuel Amador Guerrero Manuel Amador Guerrero Manuel Amador Guerrero , was the first president of Panama from 20 February 1904 to 1 October 1908. He was a member of the Conservative Party.... |
20 February 1904 | 1 October 1908 | Conservative Party Conservative Party (Panama) Conservative Party is a Panamanian political party.Panama inherited the traditional political parties of Colombia – the Conservative Party and the Liberal Party – which vied against one another from 1903 until the 1920s.The local section, less doctrinaire than its Colombian parent, included most... |
|
2 | José Domingo de Obaldía José Domingo de Obaldía José Domingo de Obaldia Gallegos was President of Panama from October 1, 1908 to March 1, 1910 and Vice President in the administration of Manuel Amador.... |
1 October 1908 | 1 March 1910 | National Liberal Party National Liberal Party (Panama) The National Liberal Party was a liberal party in Panama. At the last legislative elections, 2 May 2004, the party won 5.2 % of the popular vote and 3 out of 78 seats... |
|
Carlos Antonio Mendoza Carlos Antonio Mendoza Carlos Antonio Mendoza Soto was Panamanian politician who served as Second Vice President in the government of José Domingo de Obaldía and since death of First Vice President José Agustín Arango in 1909 he was first in line to the presidency. In this capacity Mendoza was acting President of Panama... (acting) |
1 March 1910 | 1 October 1910 | National Liberal Party National Liberal Party (Panama) The National Liberal Party was a liberal party in Panama. At the last legislative elections, 2 May 2004, the party won 5.2 % of the popular vote and 3 out of 78 seats... |
||
Federico Boyd Federico Boyd Federico Augusto Boyd López was acting President of Panama from October 1, 1910 to October 5, 1910. He belonged to the Liberal Party.... (acting) |
1 October 1910 | 5 October 1910 | National Liberal Party National Liberal Party (Panama) The National Liberal Party was a liberal party in Panama. At the last legislative elections, 2 May 2004, the party won 5.2 % of the popular vote and 3 out of 78 seats... |
||
Pablo Arosemena (acting) | 5 October 1910 | 1 October 1912 | National Liberal Party National Liberal Party (Panama) The National Liberal Party was a liberal party in Panama. At the last legislative elections, 2 May 2004, the party won 5.2 % of the popular vote and 3 out of 78 seats... |
||
3 | Belisario Porras Barahona Belisario Porras Barahona Belisario Porras Barahona . Panamanian journalist and politician. He served three terms as President of Panama soon after its independence from Colombia.-Biography:... |
1 October 1912 | 1 October 1916 | National Liberal Party National Liberal Party (Panama) The National Liberal Party was a liberal party in Panama. At the last legislative elections, 2 May 2004, the party won 5.2 % of the popular vote and 3 out of 78 seats... |
|
4 | Ramón Maximiliano Valdés Ramón Maximiliano Valdés Ramón Maximiliano Valdés Arce was President of Panama from October 1, 1916 to June 3, 1918. He belonged to the Liberal Party.... |
1 October 1916 | 3 June 1918 | National Liberal Party National Liberal Party (Panama) The National Liberal Party was a liberal party in Panama. At the last legislative elections, 2 May 2004, the party won 5.2 % of the popular vote and 3 out of 78 seats... |
|
Ciro Luis Urriola Ciro Luis Urriola Ciro Luis Urriola was Panamanian politician.He served as First Vice President in the cabinet of Ramón Maximiliano Valdés from 1916 to 1918 and as acting President from June 3, 1918 to October 1, 1918.... (acting) |
3 June 1918 | 1 October 1918 | National Liberal Party National Liberal Party (Panama) The National Liberal Party was a liberal party in Panama. At the last legislative elections, 2 May 2004, the party won 5.2 % of the popular vote and 3 out of 78 seats... |
||
Pedro Antonio Díaz Pedro Antonio Díaz Pedro Antonio Díaz was First Vice President of Panama in 1918 and in that capacity also acting President of Panama from October 1, 1918 to October 12, 1918.... (acting) |
1 October 1918 | 12 October 1918 | Conservative Party Conservative Party (Panama) Conservative Party is a Panamanian political party.Panama inherited the traditional political parties of Colombia – the Conservative Party and the Liberal Party – which vied against one another from 1903 until the 1920s.The local section, less doctrinaire than its Colombian parent, included most... |
||
5 | Belisario Porras Barahona Belisario Porras Barahona Belisario Porras Barahona . Panamanian journalist and politician. He served three terms as President of Panama soon after its independence from Colombia.-Biography:... |
12 October 1918 | 30 January 1920 | National Liberal Party National Liberal Party (Panama) The National Liberal Party was a liberal party in Panama. At the last legislative elections, 2 May 2004, the party won 5.2 % of the popular vote and 3 out of 78 seats... |
|
Ernesto Tisdel Lefevre Ernesto Tisdel Lefevre Ernesto Tisdel Lefevre was a Panamanian politician.He served as First Vice President of Panama in the cabinet of Belisario Porras from 1918 to 1920 and also as acting President of Panama from January 30, 1920 to October 1, 1920.-References:... (acting) |
30 January 1920 | 1 October 1920 | National Liberal Party National Liberal Party (Panama) The National Liberal Party was a liberal party in Panama. At the last legislative elections, 2 May 2004, the party won 5.2 % of the popular vote and 3 out of 78 seats... |
||
6 | Belisario Porras Barahona Belisario Porras Barahona Belisario Porras Barahona . Panamanian journalist and politician. He served three terms as President of Panama soon after its independence from Colombia.-Biography:... |
1 October 1920 | 1 October 1924 | National Liberal Party National Liberal Party (Panama) The National Liberal Party was a liberal party in Panama. At the last legislative elections, 2 May 2004, the party won 5.2 % of the popular vote and 3 out of 78 seats... |
|
7 | Rodolfo Chiari Rodolfo Chiari Rodolfo Chiari Robles was a Panamanian politician of the National Liberal Party.... |
1 October 1924 | 1 October 1928 | National Liberal Party National Liberal Party (Panama) The National Liberal Party was a liberal party in Panama. At the last legislative elections, 2 May 2004, the party won 5.2 % of the popular vote and 3 out of 78 seats... |
|
8 | Florencio Harmodio Arosemena Florencio Harmodio Arosemena Florencio Harmodio Arosemena Guillén was President of Panama from October 1, 1928 to January 3, 1931. He belonged to the Liberal Party.... |
1 October 1928 | 3 January 1931 | National Liberal Party National Liberal Party (Panama) The National Liberal Party was a liberal party in Panama. At the last legislative elections, 2 May 2004, the party won 5.2 % of the popular vote and 3 out of 78 seats... |
|
Harmodio Arias Madrid Harmodio Arias Madrid Harmodio Arias Madrid was Panamanian politician. He served as acting President of Panama in January 1931 and again from June 5, 1932 to October 1, 1936 after winning presidential election.... (acting) |
3 January 1931 | 16 January 1931 | None | ||
9 | Ricardo Joaquín Alfaro Jované Ricardo Joaquín Alfaro Jované Ricardo Joaquín Alfaro Jované , served as president of Panama from January 16, 1931 to June 5, 1932. He belonged to the Liberal Party.... |
16 January 1931 | 5 June 1932 | National Liberal Party National Liberal Party (Panama) The National Liberal Party was a liberal party in Panama. At the last legislative elections, 2 May 2004, the party won 5.2 % of the popular vote and 3 out of 78 seats... |
|
10 | Harmodio Arias Madrid Harmodio Arias Madrid Harmodio Arias Madrid was Panamanian politician. He served as acting President of Panama in January 1931 and again from June 5, 1932 to October 1, 1936 after winning presidential election.... |
5 June 1932 | 1 October 1936 | National Revolutionary Party Panameñista Party - Founding and early history :The party is the oldest in Panama. It was founded in 1932 by Arnulfo Arias Madrid, a prominent medical , as the National Revolutionary Party. Its membership largely came from Patriotic Communal Action, a nationalist organization that opposed the large amount of... |
|
11 | Juan Demóstenes Arosemena Juan Demóstenes Arosemena Juan Demóstenes Arosemena Barreati was President of Panama from October 1, 1936 to December 16, 1939. He belonged to the National Liberal Party... |
1 October 1936 | 16 December 1939 | National Liberal Party National Liberal Party (Panama) The National Liberal Party was a liberal party in Panama. At the last legislative elections, 2 May 2004, the party won 5.2 % of the popular vote and 3 out of 78 seats... |
|
Ezequiel Fernández (acting) | 16 December 1939 | 18 December 1939 | National Revolutionary Party Panameñista Party - Founding and early history :The party is the oldest in Panama. It was founded in 1932 by Arnulfo Arias Madrid, a prominent medical , as the National Revolutionary Party. Its membership largely came from Patriotic Communal Action, a nationalist organization that opposed the large amount of... |
||
Augusto Samuel Boyd Augusto Samuel Boyd Augusto Samuel Boyd Briceño was First Vice President of Panama and in that capacity also acting President of Panama from December 18, 1939 to October 1, 1940... (acting) |
18 December 1939 | 1 October 1940 | National Revolutionary Party Panameñista Party - Founding and early history :The party is the oldest in Panama. It was founded in 1932 by Arnulfo Arias Madrid, a prominent medical , as the National Revolutionary Party. Its membership largely came from Patriotic Communal Action, a nationalist organization that opposed the large amount of... |
||
12 | Arnulfo Arias Arnulfo Arias Dr. Arnulfo Arias Madrid was president of Panama on three occasions: 1940–41, 1949–51, and for two weeks in October 1968.- Origins :... |
1 October 1940 | 9 October 1941 | National Revolutionary Party Panameñista Party - Founding and early history :The party is the oldest in Panama. It was founded in 1932 by Arnulfo Arias Madrid, a prominent medical , as the National Revolutionary Party. Its membership largely came from Patriotic Communal Action, a nationalist organization that opposed the large amount of... |
|
13 | Ricardo Adolfo de la Guardia Arango Ricardo Adolfo de la Guardia Arango Ricardo Adolfo de la Guardia Arango was president of Panama from October 9, 1941 to June 15, 1945. He did not belong to any political party.... |
9 October 1941 | 15 June 1945 | None | |
Enrique Adolfo Jiménez (provisional) | 15 June 1945 | 7 August 1948 | National Liberal Party National Liberal Party (Panama) The National Liberal Party was a liberal party in Panama. At the last legislative elections, 2 May 2004, the party won 5.2 % of the popular vote and 3 out of 78 seats... |
||
14 | Domingo Díaz Arosemena Domingo Díaz Arosemena Domingo Díaz Arosemena was Panamanian politician.Díaz Arosemena served as Vice President from 1932 to 1936 and as President of Panama from August 7, 1948 to July 28, 1949. He suffered a heart attack while in office and resigned, dying less than a month later. He belonged to the Liberal Party.... |
7 August 1948 | 28 July 1949 | National Liberal Party National Liberal Party (Panama) The National Liberal Party was a liberal party in Panama. At the last legislative elections, 2 May 2004, the party won 5.2 % of the popular vote and 3 out of 78 seats... |
|
15 | Daniel Chanis Pinzón Daniel Chanis Pinzón Dr. Daniel Chanis Pinzón was Panamanian politician and physician.As First Vice President of Domingo Díaz Arosemena he became President of Panama on July 28, 1949 and served until November 20, 1949, when he was forcibly ousted by police chief José Remón... |
28 July 1949 | 20 November 1949 | National Liberal Party National Liberal Party (Panama) The National Liberal Party was a liberal party in Panama. At the last legislative elections, 2 May 2004, the party won 5.2 % of the popular vote and 3 out of 78 seats... |
|
16 | Roberto Francisco Chiari Remón Roberto Francisco Chiari Remón Roberto Francisco Chiari Remón was the President of Panama in 1949 and from 1960 to 1964. He belonged to the Liberal Party.-Before being president:... |
20 November 1949 | 24 November 1949 | National Liberal Party National Liberal Party (Panama) The National Liberal Party was a liberal party in Panama. At the last legislative elections, 2 May 2004, the party won 5.2 % of the popular vote and 3 out of 78 seats... |
|
17 | Arnulfo Arias Arnulfo Arias Dr. Arnulfo Arias Madrid was president of Panama on three occasions: 1940–41, 1949–51, and for two weeks in October 1968.- Origins :... |
24 November 1949 | 9 May 1951 | Panameñista Party Panameñista Party - Founding and early history :The party is the oldest in Panama. It was founded in 1932 by Arnulfo Arias Madrid, a prominent medical , as the National Revolutionary Party. Its membership largely came from Patriotic Communal Action, a nationalist organization that opposed the large amount of... |
|
18 | Alcibíades Arosemena Alcibíades Arosemena Alcibíades Arosemena Quinzada was Panamanian politician.He served as First Vice President in the cabinet of Arnulfo Arias and was also President of Panama from May 9, 1951 to October 1, 1952. He belonged to the Authentic Revolutionary Party .... |
9 May 1951 | 1 October 1952 | Authentic Revolutionary Party Authentic Revolutionary Party The Authentic Revolutionary Party was a right-wing political party in Bolivia.The Authentic Revolutionary Party was founded in 1959 as a faction of the Revolutionary Nationalist Movement , the ruling party under the presidency of Víctor Paz Estenssoro by Wálter Guevara Arze,... |
|
19 | José Antonio Remón Cantera José Antonio Remón Cantera José Antonio Remón Cantera , was president of Panama from 1 October 1952 until his murder by machine-gun fire at a Panama City racetrack - on 2 January 1955. He belonged to the National Patriotic Coalition.... |
1 October 1952 | 2 January 1955 | National Patriotic Coalition National Patriotic Coalition The National Patriotic Coalition was a Panamanian conservative nationalist political party.... |
|
20 | José Ramón Guizado | 2 January 1955 | 29 March 1955 | National Patriotic Coalition National Patriotic Coalition The National Patriotic Coalition was a Panamanian conservative nationalist political party.... |
|
21 | Ricardo Arias | 29 March 1955 | 1 October 1956 | National Patriotic Coalition National Patriotic Coalition The National Patriotic Coalition was a Panamanian conservative nationalist political party.... |
|
22 | Ernesto de la Guardia | 1 October 1956 | 1 October 1960 | National Patriotic Coalition National Patriotic Coalition The National Patriotic Coalition was a Panamanian conservative nationalist political party.... |
|
23 | Roberto Francisco Chiari Remón Roberto Francisco Chiari Remón Roberto Francisco Chiari Remón was the President of Panama in 1949 and from 1960 to 1964. He belonged to the Liberal Party.-Before being president:... |
1 October 1960 | 1 October 1964 | National Liberal Party National Liberal Party (Panama) The National Liberal Party was a liberal party in Panama. At the last legislative elections, 2 May 2004, the party won 5.2 % of the popular vote and 3 out of 78 seats... |
|
24 | Marco Aurelio Robles | 1 October 1964 | 1 October 1968 | National Liberal Party National Liberal Party (Panama) The National Liberal Party was a liberal party in Panama. At the last legislative elections, 2 May 2004, the party won 5.2 % of the popular vote and 3 out of 78 seats... |
|
25 | Arnulfo Arias Arnulfo Arias Dr. Arnulfo Arias Madrid was president of Panama on three occasions: 1940–41, 1949–51, and for two weeks in October 1968.- Origins :... |
1 October 1968 | 11 October 1968 | Panameñista Party Panameñista Party - Founding and early history :The party is the oldest in Panama. It was founded in 1932 by Arnulfo Arias Madrid, a prominent medical , as the National Revolutionary Party. Its membership largely came from Patriotic Communal Action, a nationalist organization that opposed the large amount of... |
|
26 | José María Pinilla Fábrega José María Pinilla Fábrega José María Pinilla Fábrega was Chairman Provisional Junta of Panama from October 12, 1968 to December 18, 1969.... |
12 October 1968 | 18 December 1969 | Military | |
27 | Demetrio B. Lakas | 19 December 1969 | 11 October 1978 | None | |
28 | Aristides Royo Aristides Royo Aristides Royo Sánchez was President of Panama from October 11, 1978 to July 31, 1982.-History of Panama Presidents:... |
11 October 1978 | 31 July 1982 | Democratic Revolutionary Party Democratic Revolutionary Party The Democratic Revolutionary Party is a Panamanian political party. It was founded in 1979 by the General Omar Torrijos, and is generally described as a party of the centre-left of the political spectrum.-History and creation:... |
|
29 | Ricardo de la Espriella Ricardo de la Espriella Ricardo de la Espriella Toral was President of Panama from July 31, 1982 to February 13, 1984.Ricardo de la Espriella is a Stanford-trained economist, and was a conservative head of the National Bank of Panama until he became Vice President in 1978, when the all-powerful National Guard pressed... |
31 July 1982 | 13 February 1984 | Democratic Revolutionary Party Democratic Revolutionary Party The Democratic Revolutionary Party is a Panamanian political party. It was founded in 1979 by the General Omar Torrijos, and is generally described as a party of the centre-left of the political spectrum.-History and creation:... |
|
30 | Jorge Illueca Jorge Illueca Jorge Enrique Illueca is a Panamanian politician and diplomat who served as President of Panama in 1984.Illueca was born in Panama City, Panama. He attended the University of Panama, Harvard University and the University of Chicago... |
13 February 1984 | 11 October 1984 | None | |
31 | Nicolás Ardito Barletta Vallarino Nicolás Ardito Barletta Vallarino Nicolás Ardito Barletta Vallarino was President of Panama from October 11, 1984 to September 28, 1985. He belonged to the Democratic Revolutionary Party .... |
11 October 1984 | 28 September 1985 | Democratic Revolutionary Party Democratic Revolutionary Party The Democratic Revolutionary Party is a Panamanian political party. It was founded in 1979 by the General Omar Torrijos, and is generally described as a party of the centre-left of the political spectrum.-History and creation:... |
|
Eric Arturo Delvalle Eric Arturo Delvalle Eric Arturo Delvalle Cohen-Henríquez is a former Panamanian head of state.Delvalle was born in Panama City. He is a member of the Latino fraternity Phi Iota Alpha. His brother Raúl is a former member of the National Assembly . Both he and his uncle, Max Delvalle, were members of the Kol Shearit... (acting) |
28 September 1985 | 26 February 1988 | Republican Party | ||
Manuel Solís Palma Manuel Solís Palma Manuel Solís Palma was the acting president of Panama from February 26, 1988 to September 1, 1989. He belonged to the Democratic Revolutionary Party . He was born in Los Santos Province. He served as education minister from 2004-2009 in the administration of Martin Torrijos... (acting) |
26 February 1988 | 1 September 1989 | Democratic Revolutionary Party Democratic Revolutionary Party The Democratic Revolutionary Party is a Panamanian political party. It was founded in 1979 by the General Omar Torrijos, and is generally described as a party of the centre-left of the political spectrum.-History and creation:... |
||
Francisco Rodríguez Francisco Rodríguez (President of Panama) Francisco Antonio Rodríguez Poveda was provisional President of Panama in 1989.Rodríguez became provisional President of Panama on 1 September 1989 following resignation of Manuel Solís Palma... (provisional) |
1 September 1989 | 20 December 1989 | Democratic Revolutionary Party Democratic Revolutionary Party The Democratic Revolutionary Party is a Panamanian political party. It was founded in 1979 by the General Omar Torrijos, and is generally described as a party of the centre-left of the political spectrum.-History and creation:... |
||
32 | Guillermo Endara Guillermo Endara Guillermo David Endara Galimany was the President of Panama from 1989 to 1994. He ran for office in 2004 and 2009 but lost to the former President Martin Torrijos and to the incumbent President Ricardo Martinelli.... |
20 December 1989 | 1 September 1994 | Panameñista Party Panameñista Party - Founding and early history :The party is the oldest in Panama. It was founded in 1932 by Arnulfo Arias Madrid, a prominent medical , as the National Revolutionary Party. Its membership largely came from Patriotic Communal Action, a nationalist organization that opposed the large amount of... |
|
33 | Ernesto Pérez Balladares Ernesto Pérez Balladares Ernesto Pérez Balladares González-Revilla was the President of Panama between 1994 and 1999. Nicknamed "El Toro" , Ernesto Pérez Balladares is married to Dora Boyd Preciado, with 3 daughters.-Studies :... |
1 September 1994 | 1 September 1999 | Democratic Revolutionary Party Democratic Revolutionary Party The Democratic Revolutionary Party is a Panamanian political party. It was founded in 1979 by the General Omar Torrijos, and is generally described as a party of the centre-left of the political spectrum.-History and creation:... |
|
34 | Mireya Moscoso Mireya Moscoso Mireya Elisa Moscoso Rodríguez de Arias is a Panamanian political figure. She was the President of Panama from 1999 to 2004, representing the Arnulfista Party... |
1 September 1999 | 1 September 2004 | Panameñista Party Panameñista Party - Founding and early history :The party is the oldest in Panama. It was founded in 1932 by Arnulfo Arias Madrid, a prominent medical , as the National Revolutionary Party. Its membership largely came from Patriotic Communal Action, a nationalist organization that opposed the large amount of... |
|
35 | Martín Torrijos Martín Torrijos Martín Erasto Torrijos Espino is a Panamanian politician and the former President of the Republic of Panama.Torrijos was elected President on May 2, 2004... |
1 September 2004 | 1 July 2009 | Democratic Revolutionary Party Democratic Revolutionary Party The Democratic Revolutionary Party is a Panamanian political party. It was founded in 1979 by the General Omar Torrijos, and is generally described as a party of the centre-left of the political spectrum.-History and creation:... |
|
36 | Ricardo Martinelli Ricardo Martinelli Ricardo Alberto Martinelli Berrocal is a Panamanian politician and businessman who was elected the 49th President of Panama in 2009. He is a Panamanian of Italian descent from his father's side.- Early life :... |
1 July 2009 | Incumbent | Democratic Change |
Military (de facto) leaders of Panama (1968-1989)
From 1968 to 1989, the commandant of the Panamanian Defense Forces (known as the National Guard until 1983) was the de facto leader of Panama.- Brigadier GeneralBrigadier GeneralBrigadier general is a senior rank in the armed forces. It is the lowest ranking general officer in some countries, usually sitting between the ranks of colonel and major general. When appointed to a field command, a brigadier general is typically in command of a brigade consisting of around 4,000...
Omar TorrijosOmar TorrijosOmar Efraín Torrijos Herrera was the Commander of the Panamanian and National Guard and the de facto leader of Panama from 1968 to 1981...
: 11 October 1968 – 31 July 1981 - ColonelColonelColonel , abbreviated Col or COL, is a military rank of a senior commissioned officer. It or a corresponding rank exists in most armies and in many air forces; the naval equivalent rank is generally "Captain". It is also used in some police forces and other paramilitary rank structures...
Florencio Flores AguilarFlorencio Flores AguilarColonel Florencio Flores Aguilar was a Panamanian army officer.Flores served as Commander of Panamanian Guardia Nacional following the death of General Omar Torrijos in July 1981. Colonel Florencio Flores Aguilar assumed command of the Military of Panama, and was displaced on year later by General...
: 31 July 1981 – 3 March 1982 - ColonelColonelColonel , abbreviated Col or COL, is a military rank of a senior commissioned officer. It or a corresponding rank exists in most armies and in many air forces; the naval equivalent rank is generally "Captain". It is also used in some police forces and other paramilitary rank structures...
Rubén Darío ParedesRubén Darío ParedesRubén Darío Paredes del Río was a Panamanian army officer and the military ruler of Panamafrom 1982 to 1983.Colonel Paredes came to power following the coup against Colonel Florencio Flores. Paredes' tenure was from March 1982 to August 1983. Paredes was promoted to the rank of general on March 3...
: 3 March 1982 – 12 August 1983 - GeneralGeneralA general officer is an officer of high military rank, usually in the army, and in some nations, the air force. The term is widely used by many nations of the world, and when a country uses a different term, there is an equivalent title given....
Manuel NoriegaManuel NoriegaManuel Antonio Noriega Moreno is a Panamanian politician and soldier. He was military dictator of Panama from 1983 to 1989.The 1989 invasion of Panama by the United States removed him from power; he was captured, detained as a prisoner of war, and flown to the United States. Noriega was tried on...
: 12 August 1983 – 20 December 1989