Vice President of Panama facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Vice President of the Republic of Panama
Vice Presidential standard
Vice Presidential seal
Incumbent Vacant since 1 July 2024
Style	Mr. Vice President (Informal) The Honorable (Formal) His Excellency (Diplomatic, outside Panama)
Seat	Panama City, Panama
Term length	5 years renewable once, non-consecutively
Constituting instrument	Constitution of Panama
Inaugural holder	Pablo Arosemena, José Domingo de Obaldia and Carlos Antonio Mendoza
Formation	September 1904
Website	Presidencia de la República

The Vice President of Panama is a very important political job in the Government of Panama. It is the second-highest position, right after the President of Panama. The Vice President helps the President lead the country.

Since 2009, this role has been held by three different people. The Vice President is chosen at the same time as the President. They run together as a team in the election.

A Look at the Past: Designates and Vice Presidents

Before 1945, the country had "presidential designates" instead of vice presidents. These designates were chosen by the National Assembly for two-year terms. They were like stand-ins who could take over if the President couldn't do their job. There were usually three designates: a first, second, and third.

In 1945, things changed. The role of presidential designates was replaced by two Vice Presidents. Later, in 1972, the country's constitution changed again, and there was only one Vice President. But in 1983, the constitution was updated, and the position of a second Vice President was brought back.

Vice Presidents Since 2009

Since 2009, the Vice Presidents have been elected together with the President. This means voters choose a President and a Vice President as a pair.

Gallery of Former Designates and Vice Presidents

Ex Vice Presidents
José Domingo de Obaldía (National Liberal) 1904–1908	Carlos Antonio Mendoza (National Liberal) 1909–1910	Federico Boyd (National Liberal) 1910	Pablo Arosemena (National Liberal) 1910–1912
Ricardo de la Espriella (Democratic Revolutionary Party) 1978–1982	Samuel Lewis Navarro (Democratic Revolutionary Party) 2004–2009	Juan Carlos Varela (Panameñista Party) 2009–2014	Isabel Saint Malo (Panamá Primero) 2014–2019
José Gabriel Carrizo (Democratic Revolutionary Party) 2019–2024

See also

In Spanish: Anexo:Vicepresidentes de Panamá para niños

• List of current vice presidents