Politics Events Country 2025-11-24T01:48:57+00:00

PRD Internal Elections: Robinson Gains Power, Dissident Loses Ground

Internal elections in Panama's Democratic Revolutionary Party (PRD) have strengthened Benicio Robinson's power. Balbina Herrera won the post of general secretary, confirming the dominance of his structure and the weakening of the opposition within the party.


PRD Internal Elections: Robinson Gains Power, Dissident Loses Ground

This Sunday, the Democratic Revolutionary Party (PRD) defined an internal day that, according to sources from the collective itself, left an unequivocal message: the structure of Benicio Robinson is still in command and now with more force.The unofficial result of the most coveted position, the General Secretariat, confirms the dominance of the Robinsonian gear.According to internal PRD data awaiting the minutes:Balbina Herrera: 188 votesPedro Miguel González: 104 votes.A difference that, according to consulted leaders, "finally closed the oxygen valve to the dissidents."The preliminary reports of the other positions also widely favor figures aligned with Robinson, consolidating a CEN practically aligned with the deputy.The virtual winnersInternal sources detail that, in addition to Herrera, the disputed positions would be as follows:José Luis Fábrega, first vice presidentJesenka Espinoza, second vice presidentRaphael Buchannan, first secretaryArquesio Arias, sixth secretary.A political analyst summarized the scenario: "The dissident competed, yes... but the structure competed to win."An old struggle... with a predictable outcomeThe contest revived the rivalry between the Pedro Miguel González sector and the bloc loyal to Robinson.But, as a grassroots leader admitted, "Robinson's machinery went into full electoral mode and consolidated its leadership.The 188 votes obtained by Herrera confirmed that push: almost double that of her direct rival, a result that analysts interpret as a political blow that further reduces the room for maneuver of the internal opposition.Balbina sets the toneThe virtual secretary general, Balbina Herrera, celebrated the strengthening of the collective and called for unity."This party cannot move forward divided," she stated, anticipating statutory reviews and internal reorganization for the 2029 elections.Final reading: Robinson stronger, the dissident weakerAlthough the Electoral Tribunal must still officially count the votes, the general interpretation within the PRD is already written:Robinson expands his power, the dissident retreats, and the new CEN is aligned under a single rudder.A leader, speaking off the record, said with resigned irony:"Today a current didn't win... the current that always wins did."