Panama: Party Supports Ending Bodyguard Privileges for Former Presidents

The 'Realizing Goals' party will support the legislative initiative that seeks to end the privilege of assigning bodyguards to former presidents of the Republic once their term ends. In the National Assembly, there are initiatives aimed at regulating the bodyguard and personal security service for former presidents. With an initiative like this, the principle of equality before the law is strengthened and the State's commitment to austerity and institutional equity is reaffirmed. Through the social network X, the political coalition instructed its members to support and vote in favor of this bill. In 2023, a ruling by the Supreme Court of Justice maintained the lifelong bodyguard service for former presidents of the Republic. The proponents indicate that the passage of time and the new realities of state security and budgetary control require an update that harmonizes this benefit with the principles of rationality in public spending, proportionality, equality before the law, and administrative transparency. Former President Juan Carlos Varela, for example, days before leaving office, modified the corresponding decree to increase the number of SPI bodyguards protecting former heads of state from 8 to 12. The issue has been the subject of constant debate over the years. 'This is an unnecessary expense whose resources should be used for other matters,' pointed out the ruling party.