1. Overview
Martín Erasto Torrijos Espino (Martín Erasto Torrijos Espinomar-TEEN toh-REE-hosSpanish; born July 18, 1963) is a Panamanian politician who served as the 35th President of Panama from 2004 to 2009. The son of former military ruler and social reformer Omar Torrijos Herrera, Martín Torrijos followed in his father's political footsteps, becoming active in the Democratic Revolutionary Party (PRD), a center-left political party.
He first sought the presidency in the 1999 Panamanian general election, but was defeated by Mireya Moscoso. Undeterred, he ran again in the 2004 Panamanian general election, securing a decisive victory with a platform focused on strengthening democracy, reducing corruption, increasing employment, and improving public safety. His presidency was marked by significant domestic reforms, including addressing social security and pension systems, and most notably, the initiation and public approval of a multi-billion dollar Panama Canal expansion project. His administration also engaged in active foreign relations, advocating for Puerto Rico's independence and negotiating a free trade agreement with the United States.
After leaving office due to constitutional term limits, Torrijos remained influential in Panamanian politics, later launching a bid for the presidency in the 2024 Panamanian general election, running as the candidate for the People's Party. Throughout his career, Torrijos has been recognized for his contributions to national development, particularly the Canal expansion, though his policies, such as the initial water privatization efforts and pension reforms, also drew criticism and public opposition.
2. Early life and career
Martín Torrijos Espino's early life and educational background laid the foundation for his later political career, deeply influenced by his father's prominent role in Panamanian history.
2.1. Birth and family
q=Chitré, Herrera Province, Panama|position=right
Martín Torrijos was born on July 18, 1963, in Chitré, within the Herrera Province of Panama. He is the son of Omar Torrijos Herrera, who was a key figure in Panamanian history, serving as the military ruler and social reformer of Panama from 1968 until his death in a 1981 plane crash. Martín Torrijos was an illegitimate child, primarily raised by his mother. However, his father publicly acknowledged him during his teenage years, establishing a connection that would later resonate in his political campaigns.
2.2. Education
Torrijos pursued his higher education in the United States. He graduated from St. John's Northwestern Military Academy, located in Delafield, Wisconsin. Following his military academy education, he attended Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas, where he focused his studies on political science and economics. During his time living in the United States, Torrijos also gained practical experience, including managing a McDonald's restaurant in Chicago.
2.3. Early career
Before entering national politics at a higher level, Torrijos began his social activities. During the presidency of Ernesto Pérez Balladares, which spanned from 1994 to 1999, Torrijos served as the Deputy Minister for the Interior and Justice. His tenure in this role included a significant action: signing into law the complete privatization of Panama's water utilities. However, this new law proved to be highly unpopular among the Panamanian public. Consequently, the Democratic Revolutionary Party (PRD), to which Torrijos belonged, later reverted to the previous system, undoing the privatization. During this period, there were also reports of an increase in armed robberies and assault rates. The actions of the government, including the privatization efforts, angered some labor unions, such as SUNTRACS, leading to several riots involving stone-throwing protests.
3. Presidential campaigns
Martín Torrijos's path to the presidency involved two significant campaigns, demonstrating his persistent political ambition and evolving strategies.
3.1. 1999 Presidential campaign
The opportunity for Torrijos to run for president in the 1999 Panamanian general election arose after a constitutional referendum, which would have allowed the incumbent PRD president Ernesto Pérez Balladares to seek a second consecutive term, failed. Torrijos was then selected to represent the Democratic Revolutionary Party (PRD). His candidacy was partly aimed at regaining the support of left-leaning voters who had been alienated by the privatization policies and union restrictions enacted under the Pérez Balladares administration.
His primary opponent in this election was Mireya Moscoso, the candidate for the Arnulfista Party and the widow of former Panamanian president Arnulfo Arias. Notably, Arnulfo Arias had been deposed in the 1968 military coup that brought Torrijos's father, Omar Torrijos, to power. Moscoso campaigned on a populist platform, frequently starting her speeches with the Latin phrase "Vox populi, vox Dei" ("the voice of the people is the voice of God"), a phrase previously used by her late husband. Her campaign pledges included supporting education, reducing poverty, and slowing down the pace of privatization.
Torrijos, on the other hand, largely leveraged his father's legacy in his campaign, notably using the slogan "Omar lives." The unique dynamic of both candidates evoking the memory of their deceased predecessors led Panamanians to humorously refer to the election as a race between "two corpses." Ultimately, Torrijos and the PRD's campaign were hindered by corruption scandals associated with the previous administration. Adding to their difficulties, a report by the newspaper La Prensa alleged that two members of Torrijos's campaign had been bribed by Mobil to facilitate the sale of a former US military base. These factors contributed to Torrijos's defeat, as he garnered 37% of the vote compared to Moscoso's 45%.
3.2. 2004 Presidential campaign
Despite his defeat in 1999, Martín Torrijos ran again in the 2004 Panamanian general election. His campaign platform for this second bid focused on key promises such as strengthening democracy, creating more jobs, enhancing security, and negotiating a free trade agreement with the United States. He ran as the candidate for the Democratic Revolutionary Party (PRD) and received support from a broad alliance, including the smaller People's Party. A notable supporter was the popular musician and politician Rubén Blades, whom Torrijos later appointed as the nation's tourism minister upon winning the presidency.
Torrijos's primary rival in this election was Guillermo Endara, who had served as president from 1990 to 1994. Endara ran as the candidate of the Solidarity Party, focusing his platform on reducing crime and government corruption. Other candidates, including Endara, also engaged in negative advertising campaigns, highlighting the PRD's historical connections with the former military ruler Manuel Noriega.
The election results largely aligned with pre-election polls, which had consistently shown Torrijos with a significant lead. Torrijos secured a decisive victory with approximately 47% of the votes. Endara finished second, receiving 31% of the vote. Torrijos was sworn into office on September 1, 2004. This victory marked a significant return for the PRD to the presidency, driven by public dissatisfaction with the outgoing Mireya Moscoso administration, which ended with approval ratings as low as 15% due to corruption scandals and perceived incompetence.
4. Presidency (2004-2009)
During his five-year term as president, Martín Torrijos implemented several key policies and initiatives, notably focusing on social security reforms and the ambitious expansion of the Panama Canal, while also navigating complex international relations.
4.1. Domestic policies and reforms
One of the immediate challenges faced by the Torrijos administration was addressing Panama's increasing foreign debt. In May 2005, his government proposed reforms to the social security and pension systems. These proposals included measures such as increasing pension contributions and raising the retirement age. These proposed changes, however, triggered widespread public opposition, leading to several weeks of protests, strikes, and a student-led closure of the University of Panama. In response to the strong public outcry and opposition from the Roman Catholic Church and union leaders, the proposal to increase the retirement age was temporarily postponed, and plans for social security reform were initially delayed. Despite the initial resistance, Torrijos successfully passed a reform measure for social security later in his term, demonstrating his commitment to addressing the nation's fiscal challenges.
4.2. Panama Canal expansion project
The Panama Canal expansion project stands as one of the most significant initiatives of Torrijos's presidency. Initially, plans for widening the Panama Canal were postponed until 2006 due to the temporary unpopularity resulting from the proposed pension reforms. However, in April 2006, Torrijos formally presented the expansion plan, describing it as "probably the most important decision of this generation." The ambitious project was projected to double the canal's shipping capacity, enabling it to accommodate larger vessels, including modern oil tankers and cruise ships. The estimated cost for this monumental undertaking was 5.00 B USD. To ensure broad public support and constitutional adherence, the plan was put to a national referendum on October 22, 2006. The proposal received overwhelming approval from the Panamanian populace, with 78% of the vote in favor of the expansion. This strong public mandate paved the way for the commencement of the historic project, which aimed to modernize and enhance the global significance of the Panama Canal.
4.3. Foreign relations and trade
Torrijos's administration actively pursued a diverse foreign policy agenda. In November 2006, he sponsored the Latin American and Caribbean Congress in Solidarity with Puerto Rico's Independence, using the platform to make an energetic call for the United States to recognize the independence of Puerto Rico. His government also took a stance on environmental and regional development issues, opposing proposals by Colombian president Alvaro Uribe to construct a road through the undeveloped Darién Gap, which connects Colombia and Panama. Torrijos's administration argued that such a road could significantly damage ecotourism in the region.
A major focus of his foreign policy was trade. In 2007, Torrijos successfully negotiated the Panama-United States Trade Promotion Agreement with the administration of George W. Bush. Although the agreement was ratified in Panama and seemed poised for ratification in the United States, its approval in the US Congress was significantly delayed. The delay was primarily caused by the election of Pedro Miguel González Pinzón, a fellow member of the Democratic Revolutionary Party (PRD), as President of the National Assembly in September 2007. González Pinzón had been indicted by a US grand jury for the 1992 murder of US Army Sergeant Zak Hernández. Several members of the US Congress vowed to oppose the trade pact as long as González Pinzón held a leadership position. Faced with this diplomatic hurdle, Torrijos privately requested González Pinzón's resignation to resolve the impasse, though he avoided publicly criticizing him in the press, careful not to alienate his party's nationalist wing. The trade agreement was eventually ratified after Torrijos left office, under his successor, Ricardo Martinelli. In April 2008, Torrijos also met with Cuban president Raúl Castro to discuss an energy agreement between the two nations.
5. Post-presidency and later political activities
Following the completion of his presidential term, Martín Torrijos continued to be involved in Panamanian politics and international affairs.
Panama's constitution prohibits presidents from serving consecutive second terms, meaning Torrijos was ineligible to seek re-election in the 2009 Panamanian general election. The Democratic Revolutionary Party (PRD) nominated Balbina Herrera as his successor. However, Herrera was defeated by an independent candidate, Ricardo Martinelli, a supermarket magnate, who became the next president.
After leaving office, Torrijos remained a respected figure and became a member of the Inter-American Dialogue, a prominent think tank focused on Western Hemisphere affairs. In a notable recent development, Martín Torrijos announced his re-candidacy for the presidency in the 2024 Panamanian general election. This time, he ran as the presidential candidate for the Christian democratic People's Party, one of the parties that had supported him and formed part of his government during his previous administration. However, he was not successful in this bid, finishing in third place in the election.
6. Legacy and reception
Martín Torrijos's presidency is viewed as a period of significant development and reform for Panama, though it also faced its share of public scrutiny and controversy.
6.1. Positive reception
One of the most widely lauded achievements of Martín Torrijos's presidency is the successful initiation and public approval of the Panama Canal expansion project. This ambitious undertaking, approved by an overwhelming majority in a national referendum, is considered a monumental step forward for Panama's economic development and its global standing. The project, which aimed to significantly increase the canal's capacity, was viewed as a crucial investment in the nation's future. Beyond this, Torrijos's administration is credited with implementing vital fiscal and social security reforms, which, despite initial public opposition, were seen as necessary for the country's long-term financial stability. By the end of his term, Torrijos enjoyed a high level of popularity, reflecting a generally positive assessment of his leadership and contributions to national development.
6.2. Criticism and controversies
Despite his achievements, Martín Torrijos's political career and presidency were not without criticism and controversy. Early in his career as Deputy Minister for the Interior and Justice, his decision to sign the law for the complete privatization of Panama's water utilities sparked considerable public backlash. The law proved so unpopular that it was eventually reverted by his own party, highlighting a misjudgment of public sentiment.
During his 1999 presidential campaign, Torrijos's bid was hampered by corruption scandals linked to the previous administration and allegations that two members of his campaign had been bribed by Mobil regarding the sale of a former US military base. These controversies raised questions about the ethical conduct associated with his political circle.
His efforts to reform the social security and pension systems during his presidency, particularly proposals to increase contributions and raise the retirement age, led to widespread protests and strikes across the country. While some reforms were eventually passed, the initial strong public opposition underscored the contentious nature of these policies. Furthermore, his administration faced a diplomatic challenge when the ratification of the Panama-United States Trade Promotion Agreement was delayed due to the controversial election of Pedro Miguel González Pinzón, a fellow PRD member indicted by the US, to the presidency of the National Assembly. This situation put Torrijos in a difficult position, balancing international relations with internal party dynamics.
7. Foreign honors
Martín Torrijos has received several significant orders and honors from foreign governments in recognition of his service and diplomatic relations.
- Cuba: Order of José Martí
- Dominican Republic: Order of Merit of Duarte, Sánchez and Mella
- Mexico: Order of the Aztec Eagle
- Spain: Collar of the Order of Isabella the Catholic
- Uruguay: Medal of the Oriental Republic of Uruguay
8. Election results
Martín Torrijos participated in several key elections during his political career, notably the presidential campaigns of 1999 and 2004. The detailed results of these elections are presented below.
| Election | Office | Term | Party | Vote Percentage | Votes | Result | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 Election | President of Panama | 29th | Democratic Revolutionary Party | 37.82% | 483,501 | 2nd Place | Defeated |
| 2004 Election | President of Panama | 30th | Democratic Revolutionary Party | 47.44% | 711,164 | 1st Place | Elected |