Panama

摘要

The Panamanian Defense Forces were abolished at the end of December 1989 and replaced by the Fuerzas Publicas Panamenas (FPP). The president is the commander of the FPP, which consists of the National Police (Policia Nacional), the National Air and Naval Services (Servicio Nacional Aeronaval, or SENAN), the National Border Service (SENAFRONT), and the National Migration Service. The president also has the authority to create special units to protect the country's borders, as well as safeguard the Panama Canal. The Consejo de Defensa y Seguridad Nacional in the president's office coordinates the activities of the security forces. Under organic law, the commander of the National Police was a civilian with no previous police or military ties. The latter requirement was institutionalized by law in 1997, although not without an extended debate on the possibility of a former member of the military serving in the post. The National Assembly changed the law in 2008, making former members of the military eligible for appointment. Since 2010, the FPP has been overseen by the Ministry of Public Security (MINSEG). The serving Minister of Public Security is Juan Manuel Pino Forero, who built his career in the SENAN.