Juan Carlos Varela facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Juan Carlos Varela
|
|
|---|---|
.jpg)
Varela in 2014
|
|
| 37th President of Panama | |
| In office 1 July 2014 – 1 July 2019 |
|
| Vice President | Isabel Saint Malo |
| Preceded by | Ricardo Martinelli |
| Succeeded by | Laurentino Cortizo |
| Vice President of Panama | |
| In office 1 July 2009 – 1 July 2014 |
|
| President | Ricardo Martinelli |
| Preceded by | Samuel Lewis Navarro |
| Succeeded by | Isabel Saint Malo |
| Minister of Foreign Relations | |
| In office 1 July 2009 – 30 August 2011 |
|
| President | Ricardo Martinelli |
| Preceded by | Samuel Lewis Navarro |
| Succeeded by | Roberto Henriquez |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Juan Carlos Varela Rodríguez
13 December 1961 Panama City, Panama |
| Political party | Panameñista Party |
| Spouse |
Lorena Castillo
(m. 1992) |
| Alma mater | Georgia Institute of Technology (BS) |
| Signature |  |
Juan Carlos Varela Rodríguez (born 13 December 1961) is a Panamanian businessman and former politician. He served as the 37th president of Panama from 2014 to 2019. Before becoming president, Varela was the vice president of Panama from 2009 to 2014. He also served as the Minister of Foreign Relations from 2009 to 2011 under President Ricardo Martinelli. Varela led the Panameñista Party, which was the third-largest political party in Panama, from 2006 to 2016.
Varela won the 2014 presidential election with more than 39% of the votes. He ran against the Cambio Democrático Party, which was led by his former political partner, Ricardo Martinelli. The candidate for Martinelli's party was José Domingo Arias. Varela officially became president on 1 July 2014.
In July 2023, the United States announced that Varela could not enter the country. This decision was made due to concerns about his involvement in how government contracts were awarded. Varela has denied these accusations.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Juan Carlos Varela was born in Panama City. His parents are Luis José Varela Arjona and Bexie Esther Rodríguez Pedreschi. His family comes from Herrera Province in Panama. Varela's grandfather, José Varela Blanco, moved to Panama from Spain. He settled in the Pesé District in Herrera.
After finishing school at Colegio Javier, Varela went to the Georgia Institute of Technology in the United States. He graduated in 1985 with a degree in Industrial Engineering.
Political Career and Public Service
.jpg)
Before entering politics, Varela worked in his family's business. He was an Executive Vice-President at Varela Hermanos S.A. until 2008.
Varela started his political journey in the early 1990s. He became a leader in the Panameñista Party's campaign in 1994. In the 2009 Panamanian general election, Varela ran for president. However, he later joined forces with his rival, Ricardo Martinelli, as the vice-presidential candidate. On 1 July 2009, he was sworn in as Vice-President of Panama under President Martinelli.
Varela later won the 2014 Panamanian general election for president. He won against José Domingo Arias, who was supported by the ruling party at the time. Varela received about 39% of the votes, while Arias received 32%. After winning, Varela stated he wanted to make changes to the country's laws.
During his time in office, Varela faced challenges. These included economic issues and concerns about public services like health and justice. He also faced questions related to how some business deals were handled.
In October 2018, Varela met with the U.S. Secretary of State. After this meeting, he decided to cancel several large projects with companies from China. This decision was related to discussions about economic activities.
Personal Life
Juan Carlos Varela is the son of José Varela and Beixie Rodríguez. He married Panamanian journalist Lorena Castillo in 1992.
See also
In Spanish: Juan Carlos Varela para niños
- Politics of Panama
- Elections in Panama
- List of heads of state of Panama
External Links
- Vicepresidente de Panamá · Presidencia.gob.pa
- Toma de posesión Juan Carlos Varela
- Biography of Juan Carlos Varela
- Twitter: Juan Carlos Varela
- Facebook: Juan Carlos Varela
- Website: Juan Carlos Varela
- Biography by CIDOB
Images for kids
-
Juan Carlos Varela's signature
