Official travel by Panama’s National Assembly deputies has exceeded $100,000 in airfare and per diem expenses. A new legislative report details these costs and the most frequent international destinations visited between 2024 and 2026.
The official document, obtained from the legislature’s administrative division, shows total spending of $105,712. This figure breaks down into $61,300 for per diem allowances and $44,412 for airline tickets. Lawmakers visited China, Spain, India, Morocco, the United Arab Emirates, the United States, Mexico, and Colombia during this period.
The report covers missions tied to congressional meetings, technology forums, human rights conferences, summits, and inter-parliamentary exchanges. The data is publicly available through the Panama National Assembly transparency portal.
China Delegation Draws Scrutiny Amid Diplomatic Tensions
The most recent and controversial trip involved six deputies traveling to the People’s Republic of China from May 1 to May 10. The delegation included Patsy Lee from the Popular Party, Roberto Archibold from the Panameñista Party, Jairo Salazar and Arquesio Arias from the Revolutionary Democratic Party (PRD), and Didiano Pinilla and Gertrudis Rodríguez from Democratic Change (CD).
Each deputy received $2,700 in per diem payments. The total disbursement for this single mission reached $16,200. The Chinese government issued the official invitation, citing a goal to “strengthen parliamentary exchanges between both legislative bodies and address cooperation opportunities between both nations.” [Translated from Spanish]
This visit occurred during heightened Panama-China diplomatic relations tensions. The friction stems from a Chinese operator’s departure from two ports near the Panama Canal and the detention of Panamanian-flagged vessels in Chinese harbors.
“We go where we want to go because we are free,” Deputy Jairo ‘Bolota’ Salazar said at the time, defending the mission. [Translated from Spanish]
Deputy Patsy Lee later submitted a report detailing the delegation’s itinerary. The group visited four cities: Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Beijing, and Tianjin. They participated in seven diplomatic meetings with representatives from China’s Central Government and the National People’s Assembly.
“The objective was to strengthen diplomacy with one of the world’s greatest powers,” Lee stated in her report. [Translated from Spanish]
The trip highlights the complex nature of the Panama Canal ports dispute and its impact on broader bilateral relations.
Travel Frequency Increased in Recent Months
The legislative report shows a clear pattern of increased international travel during the latter half of the review period. No official trips were recorded during July and August of 2024. That changed dramatically in September.
Four deputies traveled to El Salvador that month. The delegation included Didiano Pinilla, Jorge Herrera, Neftalí Zamora, and substitute deputy Sara Magallón. They represented the Commission on Municipal Affairs. Each received $1,600 in per diem payments. Zamora later reported returning those funds.
Three new international missions occurred during October and November 2024. Deputy Jamis Acosta attended a meeting of the Forum of Presidents of Legislative Powers of Central America and the Caribbean Basin. He received $4,800 in per diem payments for that trip.
Roberto Archibold traveled to Mexico for activities related to representing the Ngäbe Buglé indigenous community. His airfare cost $995. Deputy Joan Guevara received $1,200 in per diem payments to attend a Mercosur meeting in Uruguay.
Global Destinations and Rising Costs
International activity resumed in January 2025. Deputy Edwin Vergara participated in a parliamentary meeting in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. He received $600 in per diem payments for that trip.
In February 2025, Didiano Pinilla, then serving as First Vice President of the National Assembly, received $3,600 in per diem payments. He attended a meeting of the Latin American and Caribbean Parliament (Parlatino) in Morocco.
No new trips were recorded until June 2025. Deputies Jairo Salazar, Lilia Batista, and Yuzaida Marín then traveled to Uruguay for an Ibero-American congress focused on life and family issues. The total mission cost reached $7,578 for airfare and $5,600 for per diem payments.
Pinilla traveled to China again in August 2025. He participated in a friendly exchange forum representing Parlatino and received $2,700 in per diem payments. That same month, Roberto Archibold traveled to Colombia for urban development training. He received $800 in per diem payments.
In October 2025, Deputy Julio de la Guardia traveled to Madrid, Spain for another official mission. The total cost for that trip was not specified in the report’s summary.
The legislative report provides a detailed accounting of how public funds are spent on international parliamentary activities. It covers a period spanning nearly two years of the current five-year legislative term, which runs from 2024 to 2029.
Critics question whether these expensive trips deliver proportional benefits to Panamanian citizens. Supporters argue that international engagement is essential for diplomatic relations and legislative cooperation.
The Panama National Assembly transparency portal continues to publish these expense reports. Citizens can review the full breakdown of costs for each official mission.