A Panamanian legislative committee approved a bill this week to restrict the publicly funded lifetime security detail for former presidents. The Government Committee of the National Assembly of Panama endorsed the proposal in a contentious session on February 4, 2026, sending it to a full first debate. The move targets a longstanding privilege that costs the state tens of thousands of dollars monthly per former leader.
Independent Vamos party deputy Jhonathan Vega sponsored the initiative. He argued the current system lacks necessary limits and rational controls over public funds. The committee vote saw five legislators in favor, two opposed, and two abstentions after a hearing marked by sharp exchanges and procedural calls to order.
Proposal Aims to Redirect Security Resources
During the session, Deputy Vega presented financial data to support his case for reform. He stated the average monthly expenditure on salaries for the security teams reaches approximately $42,000 per former president. Each ex-leader currently has at least 12 assigned protection agents under the permanent scheme.
“We must invest in social needs and set privileges aside,” Vega said. [Translated from Spanish] He proposed reassigning the personnel to bolster citizen security on public streets.
The bill seeks to establish specific legal parameters for the lifelong security detail. It does not aim to eliminate protection entirely but to define its scope and duration based on standardized risk assessments. Proponents believe this will ensure both fiscal responsibility and appropriate security for former heads of state.
Opposition Cites Safety Concerns for Former Leaders
Committee President Luis Eduardo Camacho of the Realizing Goals (RM) party led the opposition. He was joined by Raphael Buchanan of the Democratic Revolutionary Party (PRD). Both lawmakers defended the existing security provisions as essential for individuals who made consequential decisions while in office.
Camacho specifically referenced former President Ricardo Martinelli, a political ally. He noted Martinelli’s Institutional Protection Service detail had already been reduced. Camacho argued that former presidents remain high-profile targets long after leaving office due to the nature of their past responsibilities.
“We have to understand that the person who held the Presidency of the Republic, who represented Panamanians, had to make decisions that benefited many but also negatively affected others,” Camacho stated. [Translated from Spanish]
This argument frames the security detail as a necessary consequence of public service, not merely a perk. The debate reflects a broader regional conversation about post-presidential benefits and government austerity.
The committee’s approval represents a significant first hurdle cleared for the legislation. Its advancement comes amid ongoing political tensions. Vega, the bill’s sponsor, recently participated in a diplomatic visit to Taiwan that challenged Panama’s official foreign policy stance.
Observers now watch the full National Assembly. Legislators will schedule the first of three required debates on the chamber floor. The outcome remains uncertain given the divided committee vote and the politically sensitive nature of amending benefits for the country’s political elite. The proposal’s progress signals a growing legislative appetite for reviewing established entitlements funded by Panama’s taxpayers.