Panama Elects Conservative Jose Mulino as President

May 7, 2024

Jose Raul Mulino, a conservative candidate and former Minister of Public Security, was declared the winner of the presidential election in Panama on May 5, 2024. He secured 34% of the vote, outpacing his closest rival, Ricardo Lombana, who received 25%. This election marks another instance of a rightward turn in the Americas, a trend seen in other nations like Argentina and El Salvador.

The Strategic Importance of Panama

Panama, an isthmus linking North and South America, holds considerable geographical and strategic value, primarily due to the Panama Canal. This canal facilitates the linkage between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans and is pivotal in global maritime trade. The canal’s authority, the Panama Canal Authority (ACP), plays a crucial role in the nation’s economy.

Economic Context

Despite being heavily impacted by the pandemic, Panama’s economy rebounded with a notable GDP growth of 7.5% in 2023. However, forecasts by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) project a slowdown, with growth expected to decrease to 2.5% in 2024. The country faced a severe unemployment peak in 2020 but showed recovery signs by 2023. Inflation rates have also been lower compared to regional standards, indicating a relatively stable economic climate.

Environmental Factors and Challenges

Panama is rich in biodiversity, hosting vast expanses of rainforests which are crucial in carbon sequestration, rendering the nation carbon-negative. Nonetheless, it faces significant risks from climate change, impacting both its economy and vulnerable communities, particularly through altered weather patterns and natural disasters such as droughts and floods.

Migration Through Panama

The country is a critical transit point for migrants heading from South America to the United States, often traversing the perilous Darien Gap. This route is fraught with hazards, including harsh terrains and criminal organizations. President-elect Mulino has expressed intentions to shut down this migration path to curb illegal crossings.

More About Panama Canal

The Panama Canal is a man-made waterway opened in 1914, spanning approximately 50 miles across the Isthmus of Panama, connecting the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. This canal plays a critical role in global maritime trade by significantly reducing the travel distance and time ships must cover by circumventing the long and perilous route around the southern tip of South America via Cape Horn.

Its construction was one of the largest and most challenging engineering projects ever undertaken, involving extensive excavation and the creation of a series of locks and artificial lakes. The canal’s strategic and economic importance has made it a focal point in international geopolitics and trade.

About Darien Gap

The Darien Gap is a dense, remote stretch of jungle and marshland approximately 160 kilometers long, spanning the border between Panama and Colombia. This area is notorious for its challenging and roadless terrain, making it one of the least accessible spots on the Pan-American Highway that connects South and North America. Uninhabited and largely unexplored, the Darien Gap poses significant risks such as harsh environmental conditions, dangerous wildlife, and security concerns due to drug traffickers and guerrilla groups. Its ecological diversity is vast, home to many endemic species and unique ecosystems.

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