Martín Torrijos

president of Panama

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July 16, 2026

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Martín Torrijos served as president of Panama from 2004 to 2009. He is the son of Omar Torrijos, who led Panama from 1968 to 1978 and negotiated the Panama Canal treaties with the United States. During Martín Torrijos's presidency, Panama experienced significant economic growth and a decrease in poverty rates. A referendum to expand the Panama Canal was approved, with construction beginning in 2007. However, issues such as public security, corruption, and government inefficiency persisted.1

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Mireya Moscoso
Her main opponent was Martín Torrijos, the son of former dictator Omar Torrijos and the candidate of the ruling Democratic Revolutionary Party. The platforms of the two principal candidates did not differ in most respects. Overall, she was seen as the more populist candidate, Torrijos as more sympathetic to…
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Her main opponent was Martín Torrijos, the son of former dictator Omar Torrijos and the candidate of the ruling Democratic Revolutionary Party. The platforms of the two principal candidates did not differ in most respects. Overall, she was seen as the more populist candidate, Torrijos as more sympathetic to…
Read More

Panama
Transitions to democracy and sovereignty
The newly elected president was Martin Torrijos, the illegitimate son of the former military dictator. Under his administration Panama experienced high levels of economic growth and a decrease in poverty rates, and voters approved a referendum to expand the canal. Work on the canal began in September 2007. But issues…
Read More
The newly elected president was Martin Torrijos, the illegitimate son of the former military dictator. Under his administration Panama experienced high levels of economic growth and a decrease in poverty rates, and voters approved a referendum to expand the canal. Work on the canal began in September 2007. But issues…
Read More