The 2025 judicial year in Panama has attracted intense criticism from the legal community. Attorneys Nora Santa and Guillermo Cochez have noted that the justice system is perceived as slow, selective, and influenced by political and economic power.
Nora Santa: "Litigating lawyers face a system that does not apply the law as written and behaves differently depending on who sits on the bench."
Guillermo Cochez: "In 2025 Panamanian justice has acted according to political conveniences, favoring cases linked to figures close to power."
Both jurists also denounced the lack of timely justice, delays in hearings, and bureaucracy that hinders case resolution. Moreover, they highlight serious deficiencies in the prison system, including lack of medical care, medications, and specialized staff.
The report mentions that the new public procurement law could break institutional corruption structures, but reality shows that judicial backlog remains high, eroding institutional credibility. Citizens expect a reform that guarantees equality before the law and eliminates political influence.
