[20220104]IF10430_巴拿马：概述.pdf

https:/crsreports.congress.gov Updated January 4, 2022Panama: An OverviewPanamas central location in the Americas (linking North and South America), large financial sector, use of the U.S. dollar as currency, and transportation infrastructureespecially the Panama Canal, which connects the Atlantic and Pacific Oceansmake the country a global trade hub and a strategic partner for the United States. Figure 1. Map of Panama Source: CRS. Political and Economic Environment Panama holds regular free and fair democratic elections and generally respects civil liberties and political rights, although corruption remains a significant challenge. Current President Laurentino “Nito” Cortizo of the center-left Democratic Revolutionary Party (PRD) won a narrow victory in Panamas May 2019 elections, receiving 33% of the vote in a seven-candidate contest. Cortizos PRD also won 35 seats in Panamas 71-seat National Assembly; it is working in coalition with the National Republican Liberal Movement (Molirena), which has five seats in the Assembly, providing the government with a majority. Cortizo heads Panamas seventh civilian government since the December 1989 U.S. military intervention that ousted th