Military of Panama

The Panamanian Government has converted the former Panama Defense Forces[?] (PDF) into a civilian "public force," subordinate to civilian officials and composed of four independent units: the Panamanian National Police[?], the National Maritime Service[?] (Coast Guard), the National Air Service[?], and the Institutional Protective Service[?] (VIP Security). A constitutional amendment, passed in 1994, permanently abolished the military.

Law enforcement units that have been separated from the public force, such as the Technical Judicial Police[?], also are directly subordinate to civilian authorities. The public force budget, in contrast to the former PDF, is on public record and under control of the executive.

Military branches: an amendment to the Constitution abolished the armed forces, but there are security forces (Panamanian Public Forces[?] or PPF includes the National Police, National Maritime Service, and National Air Service[?]) and an armed Institutional Protection Service or SPI for protection of public buildings.

Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 761,568 (2000 est.)

Military manpower - fit for military service: males age 15-49: 521,487 (2000 est.)

Military expenditures - dollar figure: $132 million (FY97)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 1.6% (FY97)

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; in October 1994, Panama's Legislative Assembly approved a constitutional amendment prohibiting the creation of a standing military force, but allowing the temporary establishment of special police units to counter acts of "external aggression"