United States. Central Intelligence Agency

“ President Martin TORRIJOS Espino (since 1 September 2004) ; First Vice President Samuel LEWIS Navarro (since 1 September 2004) ; Second Vice President Ruben AROSEMENA Valdes (since 1 September 2004) ; note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government
cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president
elections: president and vice presidents elected on the same ticket by popular vote for five-year terms; election last held 2 May 2004 (next to be held 3 May 2009) ; note - beginning in 2009, Panama will have only one vice president. ”

“ Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 810,341 (2004 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males age 15-49: 553,422 (2004 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $145 million (2003) Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 1.2% (2003) Military - note: on 10 February 1990, the government of then President ENDARA abolished Panama's military and reformed the security apparatus by creating the Panamanian Public Forces ”

“ Exports - partners: US 13.9%, Nigeria 9.8%, Germany 8.1%, South Korea 7.8%, Peru 5.1%, Costa Rica 4.9%, Belgium 4.8%, Japan 4.5% (2003) Imports: $6.622 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.) Imports - commodities: capital goods, crude oil, foodstuffs, consumer goods, chemicals (1999) Imports - partners: Japan 33.2%, US 11.4%, China 9.1%, South Korea 7.7%, Singapore 7.1% (2003) Reserves of foreign exchange & gold: $1.011 billion (2003) Debt - external: $8.834 billion (2003 est.) Economic aid - recipient: $197.1 million (1995) Currency: balboa (PAB) ”