Years of growth forged prosaic politics. Now Panamanians are fed up

But now Panamanians are fed up. The canal’s water levels are dwindling, threatening flows of trade and government revenue. Billions of dollars must be spent on dams or underground pipes to keep it full. A giant copper mine on the north coast has been forced to close, costing 30,000 jobs; the mine accounts for 5% of GDP once its indirect effects are included, according to Fitch Ratings. Years of fiscal mismanagement and corruption mean two-thirds of Panamanians now desire “radical change”, according to a local poll published in 2023. Some 83% say they are dissatisfied with their democracy. They go to the polls to elect a new president on May 5th.