List of Presidents of Panama: Past and Present

Last updated November 2026

This page lists the presidents and heads of state of Panama from 1989 to the present, with the years each leader was in office and a short summary of their time in power. Use it to find the current president of Panama, former leaders, and key dates in the country's political history.

Current president of Panama: José Raúl Mulino (in office since 2024).

Presidents of Panama in order, with years in office

Guillermo Endara

Served: 1989–1994

Took office in December 1989, at the time of the US invasion, after Manuel Noriega's government had annulled the May election he had won.

Ernesto Pérez Balladares

Served: 1994–1999

Democratic Revolutionary Party president who carried out privatisations.

Mireya Moscoso

Served: 1999–2004

First woman president of Panama; in office when the United States handed over the Panama Canal on 31 December 1999.

Martín Torrijos

Served: 2004–2009

Son of former leader Omar Torrijos; held the 2006 referendum that approved the canal expansion.

Ricardo Martinelli

Served: 2009–2014

Businessman who founded the Super 99 supermarket chain.

Juan Carlos Varela

Served: 2014–2019

Served as Martinelli's vice president before falling out with him and winning the 2014 election.

Laurentino Cortizo

Served: 2019–2024

Democratic Revolutionary Party president who served one term.

José Raúl Mulino

Served: 2024–present

Lawyer and former security minister who replaced Ricardo Martinelli as candidate and won the May 2024 election; took office on 1 July 2024 and declared a national state of emergency after the magnitude 7.7 earthquake of 9 October 2026.

Frequently asked questions about the presidents of Panama

Who is the current president of Panama?

The current president of Panama is José Raúl Mulino, in office since 2024.

Who were the previous presidents of Panama?

The presidents and heads of state of Panama listed on this page, in order, are: Guillermo Endara, Ernesto Pérez Balladares, Mireya Moscoso, Martín Torrijos, Ricardo Martinelli, Juan Carlos Varela, Laurentino Cortizo, José Raúl Mulino.

Sources: Wikipedia, List of presidents of Panama and José Raúl Mulino; Associated Press, AFP, Newsroom Panama and Rio Times reports, including coverage of the 9 October 2026 earthquake (checked Nov 2026). Shows the eight presidents since 1989.. Last reviewed November 2026.

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