An investigation reveals that Panama has lost over $5.104 billion in public funds due to 90 emblematic corruption cases over the past 21 years. This amount equals about 6% of the 2024 GDP and exceeds key budgets like education and health. Corruption has worsened social exclusion, contributing to tragedies such as the deaths of indigenous children in Ngäbe Buglé rivers.
A review of 90 corruption cases in Panama, from 2004 to 2024, estimates $5.104 billion in economic damage to the state. The report, drawn from judicial proceedings and official audits, highlights two major cases: Odebrecht's cost overruns exceeding $2 billion between 2006 and 2019, and $1.2 billion in damages from the Panama Ports Company concession since 1997. The remaining 88 cases add nearly $1.5 billion, including social programs turned into patronage tools and poorly executed infrastructure.
The 2009-2014 period saw 57 representative cases, involving overpricing in projects and money laundering via shell companies. From 2014-2019, numerous files were opened, but convictions remained rare due to institutional constraints. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2019-2024 enabled abuses in emergency contracting.
This lost amount surpasses the 2025 annual education budget ($3.651 billion) or health ($2.374 billion), and exceeds the Panama Canal's 2024 contributions ($2.4708 billion). Sociologist Gilberto Toro notes that impunity targets the poor more, fueling public intolerance toward abuses.
Experts like Alma Montenegro de Fletcher stress ethical lapses: “We don't lack laws; we lack commitment from those who must enforce them.” Carlos Barsallo warns of equal institutional harm: “People believe in nothing and no one.” A Fudespa study links this corruption to indigenous exclusion, where 55-70 children have died crossing rivers to school—a issue that $42-63 million could address with safe bridges.
Of the 90 cases, only a dozen led to convictions, exposing judicial weaknesses like backlogs and resource shortages.
