Panama
Military: PANAMA
Military branches:
no regular military forces; Panamanian Public Security Forces (subordinate to the Ministry of Public Security), comprising the National Police (PNP), National Air-Naval Service (SENAN), National Border Service (SENAFRONT) (2013)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 890,006 (2010 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 731,254
females age 16-49: 728,329 (2010 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 32,142
female: 30,879 (2010 est.)
Military expenditures:
1% of GDP (2012)
country comparison to the world: 127
Military - note:
on 10 February 1990, the government of then President ENDARA abolished Panama's military and reformed the security apparatus by creating the Panamanian Public Forces; in October 1994, Panama's Legislative Assembly approved a constitutional amendment prohibiting the creation of a standing military force but allowing the temporary establishment of special police units to counter acts of "external aggression"
Transnational Issues: PANAMA
Disputes - international:
organized illegal narcotics operations in Colombia operate within the remote border region with Panama
Refugees and internally displaced persons:
refugees (country of origin): 15,723 (Colombia) (2012)
Illicit drugs:
major cocaine transshipment point and primary money-laundering center for narcotics revenue; money-laundering activity is especially heavy in the Colon Free Zone; offshore financial center; negligible signs of coca cultivation; monitoring of financial transactions is improving; official corruption remains a major problem