Panama
 

to 6 Oct 1821   6 Oct 1821 - 1831 1831 - 9 May 1834 9 May 1834 - 1855 1855 - 26 Jul 1861     26 Jul 1861 - 26 Nov 1861 26 Nov 1861 - 7 Sep 1886   7 Sep 1886 - 4 Nov 1903   4 Nov 1903 - 20 Dec 1903            Adopted 20 Dec 1903 (officially adopted 28 Mar 1941) Map of Panama Hear National Anthem "Himno Istemño" (Isthmus Hymn) Text of National Anthem Adopted 1925 Constitution  (11 Oct 1972) Capital: Panama City (Ciudad de Panama) (Darien 1510-1521) Currencies: Balboa (PAB); &  US Dollar (USD); 1871-1903 Colombian Peso (COP) National Holiday: 3 Nov (1903) Día de la Independencia (Independence Day) Population: 4,536,008 (2025) GDP: $164.5 billion (2024) Exports: $37.4 billion (2024) Imports: $30.8 billion (2024) Ethnic groups: Mestizo (mixed Indigenous and White) 65%, Indigenous 12.3% (Ngabe 7.6%, Kuna 2.4%, Embera 0.9%, Bugle 0.8%, other 0.4%, unspecified 0.2%), Black or African descent 9.2%, Mulatto 6.8%, White 6.7% (2010) Total Public Security Forces: 27,700 (2025) (military abolished 19 Feb 1990) Merchant marine: 8,174 ships (2023) Religions: Protestant Evangelical 55%, Roman Catholic 33.4%, none 10.1%, unspecified 1.5% (2023) International Organizations/Treaties: ACS, APM, BCIE, BTWC, CAN (observer), CAP, CCM, CD, CELAC, CTBT, CWC, ENMOD, ESCR, FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, ICSID, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, IRENA, ISA, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, LAES, LAIA, LAP, LU, MIGA, NAM, NPT, NTBT, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, OST, PA (observer), PCA, SEGIB, SICA, UN, UNASUR (observer), UNCLOS, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNFCC, UNFCC-KP, UNFCC-PA, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Panama Index Chronology Mar 1501                   Discovered by Rodrigo de Bastidas.  5 Oct 1502                The uncolonized western region of the Kingdom of Tierra                              Firme is named Nueva Castilla de Oro del Reino de Tierra                              Firme.  9 Jun 1508                Spanish settlement at Darien, Gobernación de Veragua                              (Governorate of Veragua) of the Provincia de Tierra                              Firme. Sep 1510                   Santa María de La Antigua del Darién, founded by Vasco                              Núñez de Balboa and Martín Fernández de Enciso (it is                              abandoned in 1524). 14 Jul 1513                Province of Castilla de Oro (part of Spanish                              colony of Peru). 1513 - 1519                Castilla de Oro merged with Nueva Andalucía as                              the Gobernación de Castilla de Oro with                              Pedro Arias de Ávila as governor. 25/27 Sep 1513             Vasco Nuñez de Balboa discoverers the South Sea (the                              Pacific Ocean). 15 Aug 1519                Nuestra Señora de la Asunción de Panamá (Ciudad de Panama)                              (Panama City) founded by Pedro Arias Dávila. 1519                       Gobernación del Chocó, split from Castilla de Oro. 16 Feb 1533                Renamed Gobernación de Tierrafirme. 1535                       Renamed Castilla del Oro de Tierra Firme, 19 Jan 1537 - 1556         Duchy of Veragua (Ducado de Veragua) created in a                              small section of Veragua governorate for Luis                              Colón de Toledo (b. c.1519 - d. 1572). The domain                              is returned to the Spanish Crown in 1556 for a payment. 26 Feb 1538 - 1543         Audiencia y Cancillería Real de Panamá en Tierrafirme                              (Royal Audience and Chancery of Panama in Tierra Firme). 13 Sep 1543                Audiencia of Panama decreed abolished and replaced with                              an Audiencia of the Confines in Guatemala. 13 Sep 1543 - 15 May 1565  Alcaldía mayor de Panamá y Nombre de Dios (with Guatemala) 15 May 1565 - 1718         Audiencia y Chancillería Real de Panamá en Tierrafirme                              (restored by royal decree of 8 Sep 1563)(subordinte to                              the Audiencia of Peru from 19 Jul 1614). 17 Jan 1601 - 18 Jan 1601  Portobelo captured by English prirate William Parker. 28 Jan 1671                Panama City is sacked and burned by English pirate Henry                              Morgan (b. c.1635 - d. 1688). 21 Jan 1673                Panama City re-founded (5 miles) from the original site. 10 Jul 1668                Porto Bello (Portobelo) is captured and plundered by                              English pirate Henry Morgan (s.a.).  3 Nov 1698 - 11 Apr 1700  Scottish colony at Darien. 27 May 1717                Audiencia of Panama decreed abolished and subordinated to                              the Audiencia of Peru (effective 1718). 21 Jul 1722 - 1752         Audiencia of Panamá (restored)(subordindated to New                              Granada to 5 Nov 1723, then to Peru). 20 Aug 1739                Panama subjected to Viceroyalty of New Granada                               (see Colombia). 22 Nov 1739 - Jun 1742     Portobelo (Portobello) caputured and occupied by the                              British Admiral Edward Vernon (b. 1684 - d. 1757) during                              the War of Jenkins Ear. 20 Jun 1751                Audiencia of Panamá finally abolished by royal decree and                              Panama suject to Audiencia of Bogotá (effected 1752). 20 Jul 1812 - 1816         Panama remains loyal to Spanish royalists during the                              New Granada (Colombian) independence revolt. 28 Nov 1821                Independence from Spain, part of New Granada                              (see Colombia)(see Colombian states). 18 Nov 1840                State of Panama (Estado de Panamá)(province of Panamá is                              proclaimed a sovereign state, resolution of an                              assembly held in Panamá City). 20 Mar 1841                State of the Isthmus (Estado del Istmo)(the provinces                              of Panamá and Veraguas formed an independent and                              sovereign state by fundamental law passed 18 Mar 1841). 31 Dec 1841                Provinces of Panamá and Veraguas are re-incorporated into                              Colombia (effective 16 Mar 1842). 27 Feb 1855                Federal State of Panamá (Estado de Panamá) formed by                              federal legislation, (from provinces of Panamá, Azuero,                              Veraguas, and Chiriquí) as a constituent state of                              Colombia. 27 Feb 1855 - 15 Feb 1886  Provinces of New Granada (including Panama) organized                               as sovereign states, but remaining part of New                              Granada (see Colombian states). 27 Feb 1855                State of Panama (Estado de Panamá). 15 Oct 1861                Sovereign State of Panama (Estado Soberano de                              Panamá); Panama formed part of the federation of New                              Granada in accordance with a treaty signed 6 Sep 1861. 27 Apr 1885 - 30 Apr 1885  U.S. troops deployed in Panama City. 15 Feb 1886                National Department of Panama (Departamento nacional de                              Panamá)(the Estado de Panamá and the Territory of San                              Andrés y San Luis de Providencia are transformed into a                              Departamento nacional). 20 Nov 1901 -  4 Dec 1901  U.S. troops deployed. 17 Sep 1902 - 18 Nov 1902  U.S. troops deployed.  3 Nov 1903                Spontaneous declarations in favor of separation                              from Colombia in Panama City.  4 Nov 1903                Republic of Panama (República de Panamá)(Panama is                              proclaimed a sovereign and independent state, resolution                              of an assembly held in Panama City).  5 Nov 1903 - 26 Jan 1905  U.S. intervention.  6 Nov 1903                U.S. recognizes Panamanian independence (formally                              18 Nov 1903). 13 Feb 1904 - 25 Jul 1939  U.S. protectorate. 10 May 1904                Former colonial power Spain recognizes Panama independence 17 Nov 1904 - 24 Nov 1904  U.S. troops deployed in Ancón. 13 May 1912 - 21 Jan 1914  U.S. troops deployed.  4 May 1904 - 30 Sep 1979  Panama Canal Zone under U.S. administration.  1 Mar 1922                Colombia formally recognizes Panamanian                              independence. 20 Dec 1989 - 31 Jan 1990  U.S. occupation. Comarcas Canal Zone (1903-1979) New Caledonia (1698-1700) Historical Maps of Panama

De facto rulers
11 Oct 1968 - 31 Jul 1981  Omar Efraín Torrijos Herrera       (b. 1929 - d. 1981)  Mil; 1978
                            (commander National Guard; from 11 Oct 1972,           PRD 
                             Maximum Leader of the Panamanian Revolution)
31 Jun 1981 -  3 Mar 1982  Florencio Flores Aguilar           (b. 1931? - d. 2020) Mil
                            (commander National Guard) 
 3 Mar 1982 - 12 Aug 1983  Rubén Darío Paredes del Río        (b. 1933)            Mil
                            (commander National Guard)
12 Aug 1983 - 20 Dec 1989  Manuel Antonio Noriega Moreno      (b. 1934 - d. 2017)  Mil
                            (commander National Guard [from 29 Sep 1983
                             Panama Defense Forces]; from 15 Dec 1989,
                             Maximum Leader of National Liberation)

Governors of Veragua (from 23 Dec 1511 Governor and Captain-general of Darien)
 6 Jun 1508 -  1 Mar 1511  Diego de Nicuesa                   (b. c.1478 - d. 1511) 
 1 Mar 1511 - Jul 1514     Vasco Núñez de Balboa              (b. c.1475 - d. 1519) 
Governors of Castilla de Oro
May 1513 - 1520            Pedro Arias de Ávila (1st time)    (b. 1440 - d. 1531) 
                             (Pedrarias)
1520 -  8 May 1520         Lope de Sosa y Mesa (acting)       (b. 1460 - d. 1520)
20 May 1520 - Jul 1526     Pedro Arias de Ávila (2nd time)    (s.a.)
Jul 1526 - Aug 1529        Pedro Gutiérrez de los Ríos y      (b. c.1496 - d. 1549)
                             Aguayo
 5 Aug 1529 - 20 Dec 1533  Antonio de la Gama (interim)       (b. c.1489 - d. af.1544)
20 Dec 1533 - 31 Aug 1536  Francisco de Barrionuevo           (b. c.1503 - d. af.1542)
Sep 1536 - Feb 1539        Pedro Vázquez de Acuña             (b. c.1506 - d. af.1540)
President-Governor of Panama
Feb 1539 - 1543            Francisco Pérez de Robles          (d. 1563)
                             (president of the Audiencia)
Alcaldes mayores de Panamá y Nombre de Dios
1543 - 1544                Pedro Ramírez de Quiñones          (d. 1582)
                             (1st time)
1544                       Pedro de Casaos 
1544 - 1545                Diego de Herrera 
1545 - 1546                Hernando de Bichacao 
1546                       Pedro de Rivero
1546 - 27 Jul 1546         Pedro de Hinojosa                  (d. c.1553)
27 Jul 1546 - 13 Aug 1546  Pedro de la Gasca (Lagasca)        (b. 1493 - d. 1567) 
1546 - 1548                Alonso de Álvarez 
1548                       Pedro Ramírez de Quiñones          (s.a.)
                             (2nd time)
Jan 1549 - 1550            Juan Barba de Vallecillo 
1550 - 1553                Sancho de Clavijo 
Sep 1553 - 1556            Álvaro de Sosa 
19 Dec 1556 - 31 Dec 1556  Juan de Barbosa (acting)
 1 Jan 1557 - 1559         Juan Ruiz de Monjarás 
1559 - 1561                Rafael de Figueroa 
 1 Jan 1561 - Dec 1563     Luis de Guzmán                     (d. 1563)
1563                       Juan Busto de Villegas
                             (did not take office)
Jun 1564 - Aug 1564        Lope García de Castro              (b. 1516 - d. 1576) 
1565 - 1566                Manuel Barros de San Millán        (b. c.1523 - d. 1599) 
                             (1st time)
Jul 1566 - Aug 1566        Alonso Arias de Herrera y Maldonado(d. 1566)
1566                       Juan de Pinedo (interim)
Governors and Presidents of the Audiencia de Panama, Capitan-generals of Tierra Firme
(Gobernador y presidente de la Audiencia de Panamá, capitán general de Tierra Firme)
1567 - 1569                Manuel Barros de San Millán        (s.a.) 
                             (2nd time)
Feb 1569 - 30 Apr 1576     Diego Lope de Vera (acting)
30 Apr 1576 - 1578         Gabriel de Loarte                  (b. c.1530 - d. 1578)
Apr 1578 - 1578            Juan López de Cepeda (interim) 
1578 - 1585                Pedro Ramírez de Quiñones          (s.a.)
                             (3rd time)
1585 - 1587                Juan del Barrio Sepúlveda          (d. c.1613)
                             (1st time)
1587 - 1596                Francisco de Cárdenas              (d. 1596) 
1596                       Juan del Barrio Sepúlveda          (s.a.)
                             (2nd time) (interim)
1596 - 1602                Alonso de Sotomayor y Andia,       (b. 1545 - d. 1610)
                             marqués de Valparaiso
1602 - 1604                Hernando de Añazco (interim)
May 1605 - 1614            Francisco Valverde de Mercado      (d. 1614)
1614 - 1616                Francisco Manso de Contreras       (d. c.1620)
1616 - 1619                Diego Fernández de Velasco         (b. c.1540 - d. 1619)
12 Dec 1619 -  2 May 1621  Juan de la Cruz Rivadeneira        (d. 1621)
                             (interim)
1621                       Roque de Cháves (interim) 
1621 - 1627                Rodrigo Vivero y Velasco           (b. 1564 - d. 1636)
1627                       Juan de Colmenares Andrade
                             (did not take office)
1627                       Francisco Brienda y Cárdenas
                             (did not take office)
1627 - 1632                Álvaro de Quiñones Osorio y Miranda(b. 1575 - d. 1642)
1632 - 1635                Sebastián Hurtado de Corcuera y    (b. 1587 - d. 1660) 
                             y Gaviría
30 Jun 1635 -  3 Nov 1638  Enrique Enríquez de Sotomayor      (b. c.1600 - d. 1638)
1638                       Andrés Garabito de León e Illescas (b. 1600 - d. 1675)
                             (interim)
1638 - 29 May 1642         Iñigo de la Motta Sarmiento        (b. 1598 - d. 1642)
1643 - 1646                Juan de Vega Bazán y Bernal        (d. 1647)
                             (1st time)
1646 - 1649                Juan Fernández de Córdoba y        (d. 1654)
                             Coalla, marqués de Miranda de Auta
1644 - 1645                Diego De Orozco (1st time)         (b. 1597 - d. c.1652)
1645 - 1647                Juan de Vega Bazán y Bernal        (s.a.)
                             (2nd time)
1649 - 1640                Juan Barba de Vallecillo
1650 - 1651                Juan Bitrián de Viamonte           (b. c.1600 - d. 1639)
                             (interim)
1651                       Diego de Orozco (2nd time)(interim)(s.a.)
1651 - 1652                Francisco de Guzmán de Toledo
                             (interim)
1652 - 1657                Pedro Carrillo de Guzmán
1658                       Francisco de Herrera Enríquez
1658 - 1663                Fernando Ibáñez de la Riva         (b. 1606 - d. 1663)
                             Agüero y Setién
1663 - 1665                Pablo de Figueroa 
1665 - 1667                Juan Pérez de Guzmán y Gonzaga
                             (1st time)
1667 - 1669                Agustín de Bracamonte y Zapata     (b. 1638 - d. 1673)
1669                       Diego de Ibarra (interim)
1669 - 1671                Juan Pérez de Guzmán y Gonzaga
                             (2nd time)
1671                       Luis Losada Quinoñes
                           + Andres Martínez de Amileta       (d. 1673)
                           (magistrates)
1671                       Francisco Miguel de Marichalar     (b. 1630 - d. 1674)
                             y Vallejo (1st time)
Jun 1671 -  8 Apr 1673     Antonio Fernández de Córdoba y     (d. 1673)
                             Mendoza 
1673 - 1675                Antonio de León y Becerra, obispo  (b. 1631 - d. 1708) 
                             de Panamá 
1675 - 1676                Francisco Miguel de Marichalar     (s.a.)
                             y Vallejo (2nd time)
1676 - 1681                Alonso de Mercado y Villacorta     (b. 1620 - d. 1681)
1681 - 1682                Lucas Fernández de Piedrahíta,     (b. 1624 - d. 1688) 
                             obispo de Panamá 
1682                       José Alzamora 
1682 - 1690                Pedro de Ponte Llorena Hoyo y      (b. 1625 - d. 1705)
                             Calderón, conde de Palmar
1690 - 1695                Pedro José de Guzmán Dávalos,      (b. 1650 - d. 1720)
                             marqués de Mina 
1695 - 1696                Diego Ladrón de Guvera Orozco y    (b. 1641 - d. 1718)
                             Calderón, obispo de Panamá 
1696 - 1699                Pedro Luis Henríquez de Guzmán,    (b. 16.. - d. 1701)
                             conde de Canillas (1st time)
1699                       José Antonio de la Rocha y         (b. 1657 - d. c.1730)
                             Carranza (1st time)
1699 - 1702                Pedro Luis Henríquez de Guzmán,    (s.a.)
                             conde de Canillas (2nd time)
1702 - 1706                Fernando D'Avila Bravo de Laguna
1706                       José Eustaquio Vicentelo Toledo
                             y Luca, marqués de Brenes
1706 - 1708                José Antonio de la Rocha y         (s.a.)
                             Carranza, marques de Brenes
                             (2nd time)
1708 - 1709                Fernando José de Haro y Monterroso (b. 1661 - d. 1709)
1709 - 1710                Juan Bautista de Ureta e Irusta
1710 - 1711                Juan de la Rañeta e Vera
1711 (6 hours)             José Antonio de la Rocha y         (s.a.)
                             Carranza, marques de Brenes
                             (3rd time)
1711 - 1718                José Hurtado de Amézaga y Unzaga   (b. 1670 - d. 1718)          
Governors of Panama
1718                       Juan José de Llamas y Rivas,       (b. 1654 - d. 1719)
                             obispo de Panamá (acting)
1718 - 1723                Jerónimo Vadillo
Governors and Presidents of the Audiencia de Panama, Capitan-generals of Tierra Firme
1723 - 1724                Gaspar Pérez Buelta                (b. c.1684 - d. 1744)
1724                       José Alzamora y Ursino (interim)   (b. 1669 - d. 1725)
1724 - 1730                Manuel de Alderete y Franco        (b. 1673 - d. 1731)
1730 - 1735                Juan José Andía Vivero y Velásco,  (d. 1741)
                             marqués de Villa Hermosa
1735 - 1743                Dionisio Martínez de la Vega y     (b. c.1670 - d. 1743)
                             Moreno
1743 - 1749                Dionisio de Alcedo Ugarte y Herrera(b. 1690 - d. 1777)
1749 - 1751                Manuel Joaquín de Montiano y       (b. 1685 - d. 1762)
                             Sopelana
Governors of Panama
1751 - 1758                Manuel Joaquín de Montiano y       (s.a.)
                             Sopelana
25 Jun 1758 - 13 Oct 1761  Antonio de Guill y Gonzaga         (b. 1715 - d. 1768)
1761 - 1762                José Antonio Raón y Gutiérrez      (b. c.1700 - d. 1773)
                             (interim)
1762 - 1764                José de Arana y Górnica (interim)
1764 - Jul 1767            José Blasco de Orozco              (d. 1767)
1767                       Joaquín Cabrejo (interim)
1767 - 1768                Manuel de Agreda (interim)
1768 - 1769                Nicolás de Castro (1st time)       (b. 1710 - d. 1772)
Dec 1769 - Jun 1772        Vicente de Olaciregui              (b. 1682 - d. 1772)
Jun 1772 - 1772            Nicolás de Castro (2nd time)       (s.a.)
                             (interim)
1773 - May 1774            Nicolás Quijano                    (d. 1774)
May 1774 - 1774            Francisco Navas (interim)
1774 - Nov 1779            Pedro Carbonell Pinto Vigo y       (b. 1720 - d. 1805)
                             Correa
Nov 1779 - 1785            Ramón de Carvajal
1785 - 1793                José Dómas y Valle                 (b. 1723 - d. 1803)
1793 - 1803                Antonio Narváez y la Torre         (b. 1733? - d. 1812)
15 Mar 1803 - 22 Feb 1805  Juan de Marcos Urbina              (b. 17.. - d. 1805)
1805 - 12 Jul 1812         Juan Antonio de la Mata y Barberán (b. 1737 - d. 1812)
1812 - 1813                Benito Pérez
1813                       Víctor de Salcedo y Somodevilla    (b. 1750 - d. 1822)
1813 - 1815                Carlos Maynar
1815 - 1816                Francisco de Ayala Gudiño Medina   (b. 1751 - d. 1816)
                             y Calderón (interim) 
1816                       José Alvarez (interim)
1816 - 17 Jul 1817         Juan Domingo de Iturralde (interim)(b. 1759 - d. 18..)
17 Jul 1817 -  8 Jul 1820  Alejandro de Hore                  (b. 1778 - d. 1820)
 8 Jul 1820 - 28 Dec 1820  Francisco Aguilar (interim)
28 Dec 1820 -  2 Aug 1821  Pedro Ruíz de Porras y Rohan       (b. 1760 - d. 1826)
Aug 1821 - Aug 1821        Tomás Cires (acting)
Aug 1821 - 22 Oct 1821     Juan de la Cruz Mourgeón y Achet   (b. 1766 - d. 1822)
22 Oct 1821 - 28 Nov 1821  José de Fábrega (1st time)         (b. 1777 - d. 1841)
                             (interim)
Military governor
 9 Feb 1822 - 1826         José María Carreño                 (b. 1792 - d. 1849)
Governors
 9 Feb 1822 - 1826         Juan José Argote (1st time) 
1826                       Manuel Muñoz (1st time)(acting)
1826 - 1827                José de Fábrega (1st time)         (s.a.)
1827                       José Domingo Espinar (1st time)    (b. 1791 - d. 1862)
1827 - Jun 1828            Manuel Muñoz (2nd time)(acting)
Jun 1828 - 1829            José Sardá                         (b. 1782 - d. 1834)
1829 - 1830                José de Fábrega (2nd time)         (s.a.)
1830 - Dec 1830            José Domingo Espinar (2nd time)    (s.a.)
Dec 1830 - 1831            Juan Eligio Alzuru                 (b. 1791 - d. 1831)
 1 Jul 1831 - Jul 1831     Justo Paredes -Superior Chief      (b. 1809 - d. 18..)
Jul 1831 - 1832            Tomás de Herrera -Military governor(b. 1804 - d. 1854) 
                             (1st time)
1832                       Pedro Jiménez
1832 - 1833                Juan José Argote (2nd time)
1833 - 1834                Juan Bautista Feraud Álvarez       (b. 1795 - d. 1852)
1834 - 1836                Manuel José Hurtado Arboleda       (b. 1782 - d. 1844)
1836 - 1840                Pedro de Obarrio y Guerrero        (b. 1796 - d. 1845)
18 May 1840 - 1842         Tomás de Herrera (2nd time)        (s.a.)
Superior Civil Chief of the State of Panama
18 Nov 1840 - 20 Mar 1841  Tomás José Ramón del Carmen de     (b. 1804 - d. 1854)
                             Herrera y Pérez Dávila 
Superior Chief of State of Panama
20 Mar 1841 - 11 Jun 1841  Tomás José Ramón del Carmen de     (s.a.)
                             Herrera y Pérez Dávila 
President of the State of the Isthmus
11 Jun 1841 - 31 Dec 1841  Tomás José Ramón del Carmen de     (s.a.)
                             Herrera y Pérez Dávila 
Governors of Panama
1842                       Miguel Chiari Jiménez              (b. 1808 - d. 1881)
1842                       J. Victoria y Echavarría
1843 - 1845                Anselmo Pineda                     (b. 1805 - d. 1878)
1845                       José de Obaldía y Orejuela         (b. 1806 - d. 1889)
                             (1st time)
1845 - 1846                Tomás de Herrera (3rd time)        (s.a.)
1846                       Manuel Quesada
1846                       José María Barriga
1849                       Manuel María Díaz (1st time)
                             (acting)
1849                       Tomás de Herrera (4th time)        (s.a.)
1850 - 1851                José de Obaldía y Orejuela         (s.a.)
                             (2nd time)
1851                       Manuel María Díaz (2nd time)
                             (acting)
1851                       Tomás de Herrera (4th time)        (s.a.)
1851                       Juan Antonio Bermúdez
1851                       Carlos de Icaza Arosemena          (b. 1790 - d. 1865)
1852                       Tomás de Herrera (5th time)        (s.a.)
1852                       Antonio Planas
1852                       Bernardo Arce Mata (1st time)      (b. 1799 - d. 18..)
1852 - 1853                Salvador Camacho Roldán            (b. 1827 - d. 1900)
 1 Sep 1853 - 1854         Bernardo Arce Mata (2nd time)      (s.a.)
                             (acting)
 1 Jan 1854 - 1854         José María Urrutia Añino
1854 - 1855                Juan Echavarría
1855                       Isidro de Diego
1855                       Damián José Pacheco
1855                       Bernardo Arce Mata (3rd time)      (s.a.)
19 May 1855 - 15 Jul 1855  Manuel María Díaz (3rd time) 
                             (acting)
15 Jul 1855 -  3 Oct 1855  Justo Arosemena Quesada            (b. 1817 - d. 1896)
                             (initially provisional head of state)
 4 Oct 1855 - 30 Sep 1856  Francisco de Fábrega (acting)      (b. 1815 - d. 1879)
 1 Oct 1856 -  6 May 1858  Bartolomé Calvo y Díaz de Lamadrid (b. 1815 - d. 1889)
 7 May 1858 - 30 Sep 1858  Ramón Gamboa (acting)
 1 Oct 1858 -  1 Nov 1858  Rafael Núñez (acting)              (b. 1825 - d. 1894)
 2 Nov 1858 - 30 Sep 1860  José de Obaldía y Orejuela         (s.a.)
                             (3rd time)
 1 Oct 1860 - 25 Jul 1862  Santiago de la Guardia y Arrue     (b. 1829 - d. 1862)
26 Jul 1862 -  5 Jul 1863  Manuel María Díaz (provisional)
                             (4th time)
 6 Jul 1863 - 12 Aug 1863  Pedro Goitía Meléndez (acting)     (d. 1898)
Presidents
13 Aug 1863 - 16 Oct 1864  Peregrino Santacoloma              (b. 1830 - d. 1890) 
17 Oct 1864 -  9 Mar 1865  José Leonardo Calancha (acting)    (b. 1832 - d. ....)
10 Mar 1865 - 30 Sep 1866  Gil Colunje                        (b. 1831 - d. 1899)  PL 
                             (provisional to 1 Jul 1865, then acting)
 1 Oct 1866 -  3 Feb 1868  Vicente Olarte Galindo             (d. 1868)            PL
 4 Feb 1868 -  4 Jul 1868  Justo José Díaz (acting)
 5 Jul 1868 - 31 Aug 1868  Fernando Ponce (provisional)       (b. 1806 - d. 1889)
 1 Sep 1868 - 30 Sep 1872  Buenaventura Correoso (1st time)   (b. 1831 - d. 1911) 
                             (acting to 1 Oct 1868)
16 Aug 1871 - 30 Sep 1871  Jaun Mendoza (acting for Correoso)
16 Jun 1872 - 28 Aug 1872  Jaun Mendoza (acting for Correoso)
 1 Oct 1872 -  5 Apr 1873  Gabriel Neira (1st time) (acting)
 5 Apr 1873 -  8 May 1873  Dámaso A. Cervera (1st time)       (b. 1837 - d. 1898)
                             (acting)
 8 May 1873 - 12 Nov 1873  Gabriel Neira (2nd time) 
                             (acting to 1 Oct 1873, then provisional)
12 Nov 1873 - 20 Sep 1875  Gregorio Miró                      (b. 1838 - d. 1884)
 1 Oct 1875 - 11 Oct 1875  Pablo Arosemena Alba (1st time)    (b. 1836 - d. 1920)  PL
12 Oct 1875 - 31 Dec 1877  Rafael Aizpuru (1st time)          (b. 1843 - d. 1919)  PL 
                             (provisional to 1 Jan 1876)
 1 Jan 1878 - 28 Dec 1878  Buenaventura Correoso (2nd time)   (s.a.)
29 Dec 1878 -  1 Jun 1879  José Ricardo Casorla (1st time)    (b. 1836 - d. 1880)
                             (acting)
 8 Jun 1879 - 15 Jun 1879  Gerardo Ortega (1st time) (acting) (b. 1843 - d. 1925)
15 Jun 1879 - 17 Jun 1879  José Ricardo Casorla (2nd time)    (s.a.) 
                             (acting)
17 Jun 1879 - 31 Dec 1879  Gerardo Ortega (2nd time) (acting) (s.a.)
 1 Jan 1880 -  2 Jul 1883  Dámaso A. Cervera (2nd time)       (s.a.)
                             (acting)
 2 Jul 1883 -  6 Jul 1883  Benjamín Ruiz (1st time) (acting)  (b. 1852 - d. 1914)
 6 Jul 1883 - 10 Jul 1883  Dámaso A. Cervera (3rd time)       (s.a.)
                             (acting)
10 Jul 1883 - 13 Jul 1883  Benjamín Ruiz (2nd time) (acting)  (s.a.)
13 Jul 1883 - 27 Nov 1884  Dámaso A. Cervera (4th time)       (s.a.)
                             (acting)
27 Nov 1884 -  7 Jan 1885  José María Vives León (acting)     (b. 1837 - d. 1898)
 7 Jan 1885 - 26 Mar 1885  Ramón Santodomingo Vila (1st time) (b. 1829 - d. 1914)  PL
16 Feb 1885 - 26 Mar 1885  Pablo Arosemena Alba (2nd time)    (s.a.)               PL
                             (acting for absent Vila)
26 Mar 1885 - 31 Mar 1885  Carlos A. Gónima                                        Mil
                             (civil and military chief) 
31 Mar 1885 - 30 Apr 1885  Rafael Aizpuru (2nd time)          (s.a.)               PL
                             (civil and military chief)
 1 May 1885 - 15 Feb 1886  Miguel Montoya
                             (civil and military chief)
Governors 
15 Feb 1886 - 26 Jun 1886  Ramón Santodomingo Vila (2nd time) (s.a.)               PL
 5 Jun 1886 - 26 Jun 1886  Manuel Amador Guerrero             (b. 1833 - d. 1909)  PC
                             (acting for Vila)
26 Jun 1886 -  9 Mar 1888  Alejandro Posada Bravo                                  PC
23 Jul 1887 - 20 Jan 1888  Juan Vicente Aycardi (1st time)    (b. 1856 - d. 1899)  Mil
                             (acting for Posada)  
 9 Mar 1888 -  1 Sep 1893  Juan Vicente Aycardi (2nd time)    (s.a.)               Mil
 1 Sep 1893 -  8 Oct 1898  José Ricardo Arango Remón          (b. 1839 - d. 1898)
 8 Oct 1898 -  2 Jan 1900  Facundo Mutis Durán (1st time)     (b. 1852 - d. 1913)  PL
                             (from 20 Oct 1899, civil and military chief) 
 2 Jan 1900 -  7 Aug 1900  José María del Campo Serrano       (b. 1832 - d. 1915)  Mil
                             (civil and military chief) 
1900 -  7 Aug 1900         Alejandro Victor Orillac Jované    (b. 1855 - d. 1923)
                             (acting for Serrano)
 7 Aug 1900 - 20 Jan 1902  Francisco José Carlos Albán        (b. 1844 - d. 1902)  Mil
                             Estupiñán
                             (civil and military chief) 
20 Jan 1902 -  5 Mar 1902  Aristides Arjona Quintero (acting) (b. 1860 - d. 1935)
 5 Mar 1902 -  2 Jan 1903  Víctor Manuel Salazar Vélez        (b. 1869 - d. 1943)  Mil
                             (civil and military chief) 
 2 Jan 1903 - 20 Sep 1903  Facundo Mutis Durán (2nd time)     (s.a.)               PL
20 Sep 1903 -  4 Nov 1903  José Domingo de Obaldía Gallegos   (b. 1845 - d. 1910)  PC
President of the Municipal Council of the District of Panama
 3 Nov 1903 -  4 Nov 1903  Demetrio Honorato Brid Lasso de la (b. 1859 - d. 1917)  PC 
                             Vega
Chairman of the Provisional Government Junta
 4 Nov 1903 - 20 Feb 1904  José Agustín Arango Remón          (b. 1841 - d. 1909)  PC
Presidents
20 Feb 1904 -  1 Oct 1908  Manuel Amador Guerrero             (b. 1833 - d. 1909)  PC
 1 Oct 1908 -  1 Mar 1910  José Domingo de Obaldía            (s.a.)               PC
 1 Mar 1910 -  1 Oct 1910  Carlos Antonio Mendoza Soto        (b. 1858 - d. 1916)  PL
                             (acting)
 1 Oct 1910 -  5 Oct 1910  Federico Augusto Boyd López        (b. 1851 - d. 1924)  PL
                             (acting)
 5 Oct 1910 -  1 Oct 1912  Pablo Arosemena Alba (acting)      (b. 1836 - d. 1920)  PL
 1 Oct 1912 -  1 Oct 1916  Belisario Porras Barahona          (b. 1856 - d. 1942)  PL
                             (1st time)
 1 Oct 1916 -  3 Jun 1918  Ramón Maximiliano de la Concepción (b. 1867 - d. 1918)  PL
                             Valdés Arce     
 3 Jun 1918 -  1 Oct 1918  Ciro Luis Urriola Garrés (acting)  (b. 1863 - d. 1922)  PL
 1 Oct 1918 - 12 Oct 1918  Pedro Antonio Díaz de Obaldía      (b. 1847 - d. 1919)  PC
                             (acting)
12 Oct 1918 - 30 Jan 1920  Belisario Porras Barahona          (s.a.)               PL
                             (2nd time) 
30 Jan 1920 -  1 Oct 1920  Ernesto Tisdel Lefevre de la Ossa  (b. 1876 - d. 1922)  PL
                             (acting) 
 1 Oct 1920 -  1 Oct 1924  Belisario Porras Barahona          (s.a.)               PL
                             (3rd time)
 1 Oct 1924 -  1 Oct 1928  Rodolfo Enrique Chiari Robles      (b. 1869 - d. 1937)  PL
 1 Oct 1928 -  2 Jan 1931  Florencio Harmodio Arosemena       (b. 1872 - d. 1945)  PL
                             Guillén
 2 Jan 1931 - 16 Jan 1931  Harmodio Arias Madrid (1st time)   (b. 1886 - d. 1962)  PLD
                             (acting for Ricardo Jované)
16 Jan 1931 -  1 Oct 1932  Ricardo Joaquín Alfaro Jované      (b. 1882 - d. 1971)  PL
                             (acting) 
 1 Oct 1932 -  1 Oct 1936  Harmodio Arias Madrid (2nd time)   (s.a.)               PLD
 1 Oct 1936 - 16 Dec 1939  Juan Demóstenes Arosemena Barreati (b. 1879 - d. 1939)  PLN
16 Dec 1939 - 18 Dec 1939  Ezequiel Fernández Jaén (acting)   (b. 1886 - d. 1946)  PNR
18 Dec 1939 -  1 Oct 1940  Augusto Samuel Boyd Briceño        (b. 1879 - d. 1957)  PNR
                             (acting)
 1 Oct 1940 -  9 Oct 1941  Arnulfo Arias Madrid (1st time)    (b. 1901 - d. 1988)  PNR
 9 Oct 1941  (hours)       Ernesto Jaén Guardia (acting)      (b. 1895 - d. 1961)  Non-party
 9 Oct 1941 - 15 Jun 1945  Ricardo Adolfo de la Guardia       (b. 1899 - d. 1969)  Non-party
                             Arango (acting to 21 Oct 1941)
15 Feb 1945 - 15 Jun 1945  Jeptha Brawner Duncan Guillén-     (b. 1885 - d. 1977)  PL
                             Arosemena (acting, in dissidence)
15 Jun 1945 -  1 Oct 1948  Enrique Adolfo Jiménez Brin        (b. 1888 - d. 1970)  PL
                             (provisional)
12 Jul 1948 - 13 Jul 1948  Henrique de Obarrio Vallarino      (b. 1898 - d. 1978)  Non-party
                             (provisional, in dissidence)
 1 Oct 1948 - 23 Aug 1949  Domingo Díaz Arosemena             (b. 1875 - d. 1949)  PL
28 Jul 1949 - 24 Nov 1949¹ Daniel Chanis Pinzón               (b. 1891 - d. 1961)  PL
                             (acting for Díaz Arosemena to 23 Aug 1949)
20 Nov 1949 - 25 Nov 1949¹ Roberto Francisco Chiari Remón     (b. 1905 - d. 1981)  PLN
                             (acting for Pinzón)  
25 Nov 1949 - 25 May 1951  Arnulfo Arias Madrid (2nd time)    (s.a.)               PRA
                             (suspended from 9 May 1955)
 9 May 1951 -  1 Oct 1952  Alcibíades Arosemena Quinzada      (b. 1883 - d. 1958)  PRA
                             (acting for Arnulfo Arias to 25 May 1951)
 1 Oct 1952 -  2 Jan 1955  José Antonio Remón Cantera         (b. 1908 - d. 1955)  CPN
 2 Jan 1955 - 29 Mar 1955  José Ramón Guizado Valdés          (b. 1899 - d. 1964)  CPN
                             (suspended from 15 Jan 1955)
15 Jan 1955 -  1 Oct 1956  Ricardo Manuel Arias Espinosa      (b. 1912 - d. 1993)  CPN
                             (acting for impeached Guizado to 29 Mar 1955)
 1 Oct 1956 -  1 Oct 1960  Ernesto de la Guardia Navarro      (b. 1904 - d. 1983)  CPN
 1 Oct 1960 -  1 Oct 1964  Roberto Francisco Chiari Remón     (s.a.)               PLN
 1 Oct 1964 -  1 Oct 1968  Marco Aurelio Robles Méndez        (b. 1905 - d. 1990)  PLN
24 Mar 1968 -  5 Apr 1968  Max Delvalle Levy-Maduro           (b. 1911 - d. 1979)  PR
                             (in dissidence)
 1 Oct 1968 - 11 Oct 1968  Arnulfo Arias Madrid (3rd time)    (s.a.)               PP
12 Oct 1968 - 13 Oct 1968  Military Junta
                           - José Manuel Pinilla Fábrega      (b. 1919 - d. 1979)  Mil
                           - Bolívar Urrutia Parrilla         (b. 1918 - d. 2005)  Mil
13 Oct 1968 - 19 Dec 1969  José Manuel Pinilla Fábrega        (s.a.)               Mil
                             (president of Provisional Junta)
19 Dec 1969 - 11 Oct 1978  Demetrio Basilio Lakas Bahas       (b. 1925 - d. 1999)  Non-party
                             (president of Provisional Junta to 11 Oct 1972) 
11 Oct 1978 - 31 Jul 1982  Arístides Royo Sánchez             (b. 1940)            Non-party
31 Jul 1982 - 13 Feb 1984  Ricardo de la Espriella Toral      (b. 1934)            Non-party
13 Feb 1984 - 11 Oct 1984  Jorge Enrique Illueca Sibauste     (b. 1918 - d. 2012)  Non-party
11 Oct 1984 - 28 Sep 1985  Nicolás Ardito Barletta Vallarino  (b. 1938)            PRD
28 Sep 1985 - 26 Feb 1988  Eric Arturo Delvalle Cohen-        (b. 1937 - d. 2015)  PR
                             Henríquez (continues in rebellion to 1 Sep 1989
                             [from Jan 1989 in Miami exile])
26 Feb 1988 -  1 Sep 1989  Manuel A. Solís Palma (acting)     (b. 1917 - d. 2009)  PRD
 1 Sep 1989 - 20 Dec 1989  Francisco Antonio Rodríguez Poveda (b. 1938)            PRD
                             (provisional) 
20 Dec 1989 -  1 Sep 1994  Guillermo David Endara Galimany    (b. 1936 - d. 2009) PPA;1990 PA 
 1 Sep 1994 -  1 Sep 1999  Ernesto Pérez Balladares González  (b. 1946)            PRD
                             Revilla 
 1 Sep 1999 -  1 Sep 2004  Mireya Elisa Moscoso Rodríguez (f) (b. 1946)            PA
 1 Sep 2004 -  1 Jul 2009  Martín Erasto Torrijos Espino      (b. 1963)            PRD
 1 Jul 2009 -  1 Jul 2014  Ricardo Alberto Martinelli Berrocal(b. 1952)            PCD
 1 Jul 2014 -  1 Jul 2019  Juan Carlos Varela Rodríguez       (b. 1963)            PP
 1 Jul 2019 -  1 Jul 2024  Laurentino "Nito" Cortizo Cohen    (b. 1953)            PRD
 1 Jul 2024 -              José Raúl Mulino Quintero          (b. 1959)            RM

Chiefs of Government
11 Oct 1972 - 11 Oct 1978  Omar Efraín Torrijos Herrera       (s.a.)               Mil; 
                            (formally Maximum Leader of the Panamanian Revolution) 1978 PRD
15 Dec 1989 - 20 Dec 1989  Manuel Antonio Noriega Morena      (s.a.)               Mil
                            (formally Maximum Leader of National Liberation)

U.S. Military Commanders
20 Nov 1901 -  4 Dec 1901  Thomas Perry                       (b. 1844 - d. 1918)
                             (commander U.S.S. Iowa)
17 Sep 1902 - 18 Nov 1902  George Barnett                     (b. 1859 - d. 1923)
                             (commander of Marines U.S.S. Panther)
 5 Nov 1903 -  3 Jan 1904  John Archer Lejeune                (b. 1867 - d. 1942)
                             (commander Marine first battalion)
 3 Jan 1904 - 10 Dec 1904  George Frank Elliott               (b. 1846 - d. 1931)
                             (commandant U.S. Marines)
10 Dec 1904 - 26 Jan 1905  Thomas Newton Wood                 (b. 1854 - d. 1916)
                             (commander Marine Battalion)
17 Dec 1905 - 1906         Charles Grant Long                 (b. 1869 - d. 1943)
                             (commanding officer of Camp Elliott)
14 Dec 1906 - 1907         Constantine Marrast Perkins        (b. 1860 - d. 1914)
                             (commanding officer of Camp Elliott)
13 Jul 1907 - 29 Aug? 1908 John Henry Russell, Jr.            (b. 1872 - d. 1947)
                             (commanding officer of Camp Elliott)
29 Aug 1908 - 1909         Ben Hebard Fuller                  (b. 1870 - d. 1937)
                             (commanding officer of Camp Elliott)
Nov 1909 - 21 Jan 1914     Smedley Darlington Butler          (b. 1881 - d. 1940)
                             (commander 3d Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment)
20 Dec 1989 - 31 Jan 1990  Carl Wade Stiner                   (b. 1936 - d. 2022)
                             (commander, Joint Task Force South)

 ¹By a dubious interpretation of Art. 148 of the 1946 constitution dealing with presidential resignations, the Supreme Court of Justice "conditionally" accepted on 20 Nov 1949 President Daniel Chanis (s.a.) resignation and swore in Roberto Francisco Chiari Remón (s.a.), his constitutional successor; when the National Assembly reconvened on 21 Nov 1949, Chanis "withdrew" his resignation, declaring that it was coerced, and the Assembly, the body entitled to deal with resignations of the head of state, on 22 Nov 1949 rejected it. The Supreme Court of Justice on 24 Nov 1949 agreed that Chanis indeed continued to hold office.

Territorial Dispute: Organized illegal narcotics operations in Colombia operate within the remote border region with Panama.

Party abbreviations: PCD = Partido Cambio Democrático (Democratic Change Party, liberal conservative, center-right, est.20 May 1998); PP = Partido Panameñista (Panamenista Party, populist conservative, Panameñismo, nationalist, formerly Arnulfo Arias personalist, 1941-1969 then renamed PPA; re-est. as split from PA in 2005); PRD = Partido Revolucionario Democrático (Revolutionary Democratic Party, populist, center-left, est.1978); RM = Realizando Metas (Realizing Goals, liberal conservative, populist, Ricardo Martinelli personalist, split from PCD, est.24 Mar 2021); Mil = Military;
- Former Parties: CPN = Coalición Patriótica Nacional (National Patriotic Coalition, populist, conservative, nationalist, government party, 1952-1981); PA = Partido Arnulfista (Arnulfist Party, conservative, nationalist, former PPA, 1990-2005, renamed PP); PC = Partido Conservador (Conservative Party, center-right, 1903-1952); PL = Partido Liberal (Liberal Party, liberal, 1903-2009); PLD = Partido Liberal Doctrinario (Liberal Doctrinaire Party, 1932-1947); PLN = Partido Liberal Nacional (National Liberal Party, liberal, centrist, 1903-2005); PNR = Partido Nacional Revolucionario (National Revolutionary Party, Panameñismo, nationalist, anti-American, 1932-1941, renamed PR); PPA = Partido Panameñista Auténtico (Authentic Panamenista Party, nationalist, former PP, 1969-1990, renamed PA); PR = Partido Republicano (Republican Party, right wing, 1960-1991); PRA = Partido Revolucionario Auténtico (Authentic Revolutionary Party, 1948-1952)

Governors
 3 Nov 1698 - 20 Jun 1699  Sir William Paterson               (b. 1658 - d. 1719)
20 Jun 1699 - 30 Nov 1699  Abandoned
30 Nov 1699 - 11 Apr 1700  Alexander Campbell of Fonab (Finab)(b. 1663? - d. 1724)

20 Jan 1881                Construction of the canal begun by the French Compagnie Universelle
                             du Canal Interocéanique de Panama under Ferdinand de Lesseps.
15 May 1889                Construction suspended when the French company goes bankrupt.
20 Oct 1894                Compagnie Nouvelle de Canal de Panama is organized to complete the
                             canal. It is sold to the United States on 23 Apr 1904.
18 Nov 1903                Panama Canal Zone (not including Colón or Ciudad de Panamá) leased
                             to the U.S. by Panama in the Hay–Bunau Varilla Treaty (ratified
                             by U.S. on 26 Feb 1904).
 4 May 1904                Canal Zone formally turned over to the U.S. by Panama.
 9 May 1904                Isthmian Canal Commission established (dissolved 31 Mar 1914).
14 May 1904 - 30 Sep 1979  Canal Zone administered by U.S. War (from 1947 Defense) Department.
15 Aug 1914                Panama Canal officially opened.
25 Jan 1955                Paitilla Point, the Panama Railroad Yard and station in Panama
                             City, the New Cristobol, Colón Beach and Fort de Lesseps areas in
                             Colón, and other properties are ceded to Panama, and alterations to
                             the boundary between the city of Colón and the Canal Zone are
                             made by the Memorandum of Understandings and Cooperation between
                             the U.S. and Panama (effected 30 Aug 1957).
 7 Sep 1977                Signing of the Panama Canal Treaty between Panama and U.S.,
                             guaranteeing the Canal Zone would be transferred to Panama on
                             1 Oct 1979 (ratified by the U.S. on 18 Apr 1978).
 1 Oct 1979                U.S. returns the Canal Zone to Panama (minus some 44 specifically
                             categorized military areas and operating facilities subject to
                             separate bilateral agreement), but the U.S. continues operational
                             control of the Canal for 20 years.
31 Dec 1999                U.S. relinquishes operational control of the Canal, and all former
                             Canal Zone parcels of all types, to Panama.

Chairmen of the Isthmian Canal Commission
 8 Mar 1904 -  1 Apr 1905  John Grimes Walker                 (b. 1835 - d. 1907)  Mil
 1 Apr 1905 -  4 Mar 1907  Theodore Perry Shonts              (b. 1856 - d. 1919)  Non-party
 4 Mar 1907 - 31 Mar 1907  John Frank Stevens                 (b. 1853 - d. 1943)  Non-party
 1 Apr 1907 - 31 Mar 1914  George Washington Goethals         (b. 1858 - d. 1928)  Mil

Governors of the Panama Canal Zone
17 May 1904 -  9 May 1905  George Whitefield Davis            (b. 1839 - d. 1918)  Non-party
 9 May 1905 - 24 May 1905  William Crawford Gorgas (acting)   (b. 1854 - d. 1920)  Mil
25 May 1905 - 25 Sep 1906  Charles Edward Magoon              (b. 1861 - d. 1920)  Non-party
21 Jan 1906 - 10 Apr 1906  Harry Day Reed (acting for Magoon) (b. 1877 - d. 1950)  Non-party
26 Sep 1906 - 16 Nov 1906  Harry Day Reed (acting)            (s.a.)               Non-party
Heads of the Department of Law and Government
17 Nov 1906 - 31 Mar 1907  Richard Reid Rogers                (b. 1868 - d. 1949)  Non-party
26 Nov 1906 -  8 May 1907  Harry Day Reed                     (s.a.)               Non-party
                             (acting [for Rogers to 31 Mar 1907])
 9 May 1907 -  6 Jan 1908  Joseph Clay Stiles Blackburn       (b. 1838 - d. 1918)  Non-party
Heads of the Department of Civil Administration
 6 Jan 1908 -  4 Dec 1909  Joseph Clay Stiles Blackburn       (s.a.)               Non-party
 4 Dec 1909 - 12 Apr 1910  Harry Harwood Rousseau (acting)    (b. 1870 - d. 1930)  Mil
12 Apr 1910 -  8 Aug 1913  Maurice Hudson Thatcher            (b. 1870 - d. 1973)  Non-party
 9 Aug 1913 - 31 Mar 1914  Richard Lee Metcalfe               (b. 1861 - d. 1954)  Non-party
Governors, Panama Canal
 1 Apr 1914 - 10 Jan 1917  George Washington Goethals         (s.a.)               Mil
11 Jan 1917 - 27 Mar 1921  Chester Harding                    (b. 1866 - d. 1936)  Mil
28 Mar 1921 - 15 Oct 1924  Jay Johnson Morrow                 (b. 1870 - d. 1937)  Mil
16 Oct 1924 - 15 Oct 1928  Meriwether Lewis Walker            (b. 1869 - d. 1947)  Mil
16 Oct 1928 - 20 Oct 1932  Harry Burgess                      (b. 1872 - d. 1933)  Mil
21 Oct 1932 - 26 Aug 1936  Julian Larcombe Schley             (b. 1880 - d. 1965)  Mil
27 Aug 1936 - 10 Jul 1940  Clarence Self Ridley               (b. 1883 - d. 1969)  Mil
11 Jul 1940 - 15 May 1944  Glen Edgar Edgerton                (b. 1887 - d. 1956)  Mil
16 May 1944 - 19 May 1948  Joseph Cowles Mehaffey             (b. 1889 - d. 1963)  Mil
20 May 1948 - 26 May 1952  Francis Kosier Newcomer            (b. 1889 - d. 1967)  Mil
27 May 1952 - 27 May 1956  John States Seybold                (b. 1897 - d. 1984)  Mil
28 May 1956 - 30 Jun 1960  William Everett Potter             (b. 1905 - d. 1988)  Mil
 1 Jul 1960 - 31 Jan 1962  William Arnold Carter, Jr.         (b. 1907 - d. 1996)  Mil
 1 Feb 1962 - 31 Jan 1967  Robert John Fleming, Jr.           (b. 1907 - d. 1984)  Mil
 1 Feb 1967 - 20 Feb 1967  Harold Robert Parfitt (1st time)   (b. 1921 - d. 2006)  Mil
                             (acting)
21 Feb 1967 -  2 Mar 1971  Walter Philip Leber                (b. 1918 - d. 2009)  Mil
 3 Mar 1971 - 25 Mar 1975  David Stuart Parker                (b. 1919 - d. 1990)  Mil
26 Mar 1975 - 30 Sep 1979  Harold Robert Parfitt (2nd time)   (s.a.)               Mil
Administrators of the Panama Canal Commission¹
 1 Oct 1979 - 31 Dec 1989  Dennis Philip McAuliffe (U.S.)     (b. 1922 - d. 2012)  Non-party
 1 Jan 1990 - 19 Sep 1990  Fernando Manfredo (Panama)²        (b. 1927 - d. 2015)  Non-party
                             (acting)
20 Sep 1990 - 17 Aug 1996  Gilberto Guardia Fábrega (Panama)  (b. 1930 - d. 2024)  Non-party
                             (also administrator of Panama Canal Authority)
18 Aug 1996 - 31 Dec 1999  Alberto Alemán Zubieta (Panama)    (b. 1951)            Non-party
                             (also 1996-2012, administrator of Panama Canal Authority)
- Deputy Administrators -
 1 Oct 1979 - 31 Dec 1989  Fernando Manfredo (Panama)         (s.a.)               Non-party
 1 Jan 1990 - 12 Jul 1995  Raymond Philip Laverty, Jr. (U.S.) (b. 1932 - d. 1996)  Non-party
                             (acting to 20 Sep 1990)
18 Aug 1996 - 31 Dec 1999  Joseph W. Cornelison (U.S.)        (b. 1947)            Non-party

 ¹The Panama Canal Treaty mandated that "the U.S. shall employ a national of the U.S. as Administrator of the Panama Canal Commission, and a Panamanian nation as deputy administrator, through 31 Dec 1989. Beginning 1 Jan 1990, a Panamanian national shall be employed as the administrator and a national of the U.S. shall occupy the position of deputy administrator."

  ²Manfredo accepted the request of President George H.W. Bush to serve as acting administrator of the commission until such time as a Panamanian administrator proposed by a legitimate Panamanian government might be appointed by the U.S.