Cortizo Administration Announced

President elect, Laurentino Cortizo has announced several members of the new Panamanian cabinet, among the members is Vice President José Gabriel Carrizo.

The first to be announced was Vice President José Gabriel Carrizo, who will also serve as the Minister of the Presidency. Also announced was, Rafael Sabonge as Minister of Public Works and José Rojas who will serve as Minister Counselor, working closely with the Chancellor of the Republic, former Trade Minister Alejandro Ferrer. 

Moreover, Minister of Labor and Development will be Doris Zapata and Minister of Security will be Rolando Mirones, who was Chief of Police in the government of Martin Torrijos. The Minister of Economy and Finance will be Hector Alexander who held the same position, also in the government of Torrijos. 

José Gabriel Carrizo Jaén / VP & Minister of the Presidency.

Rafael José Sabonge Vilar / Minister of Public Works

Born in Panama on October 9, 1978, graduating as a Civil Engineer in 2001 from the University of Texas with a Master’s Degree in Economic Analysis and Financial Economics he works as an engineer with a Spanish company between 2001 and 2003. In 2004 he worked with Panamanian company Ingeniero Geotécnicos, supervising the construction of Phase II of Colon Container Terminal.

Between 2005 and 2008 he served as General Manager of MDM Inmobiliaria, a real estate development company and between 2010 and 2013 he worked as Project Manager of the new headquarters of the Electoral Tribunal. 

José Alejandro Rojas / Minister Councilor 

Born August 4, 1980, graduating from Purdue University, Rojas worked with General Electric from 2004 to 2006 where he led several projects in the United States. In 2006 he joined GE’s Corporate Audit Staff, leading investment projects in Central America.

Back in Panama in 2007 he became a developer with several real estate projects working with Corcione between 2009 and 2012. He is a founding partner of the Urbe Group, serving as Director of Real Estate Development.

Alejandro Ferrer / Minister of Foreign Affairs

Born February 1, 1967, Ferrer graduated with a degree in law and political science, obtaining a Masters in Law and a Doctorate in Law Science at the University of Michigan, as a Fulbright Scholar. He also participated in a course on Global Leadership and Public Policies for the 21st Century at Harvard University.

In 1993 he acted as Legal Advisor to the Adhesion Commission of Panama before the GATT. He became Deputy Permanent Representative before that body. Between 1998 and 1999 he was a member of the Presidential Commission against Money Laundering, and in the periods 1996-1999 and 2008-2009, he was a member of the Council of Foreign Relations.

Between 1994 and 1995 he served as Ambassador Permanent Representative to the WTO in Geneva, Switzerland and Alternate Ambassador to the UN and other international organizations. Between 1995 and 1996, he was Foreign Trade Advisor at the Embassy of Panama in Washington. Between 1996 and 1997 he was Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs. During the period between 2004 and 2008, he occupied the office of Minister of Commerce and Industries.

Doris Zapata Acevedo / Minister of Labor and Employment Development

Born August 2, 1972, studying at the University of Panama, achieving the title of Bachelor of Law and Political Science in 1996, Zapata Acevedo also has Diplomas in Negotiation, Treaties and International and Governance, Political Management and Public Management.

She worked as a Legal Advisor in the National Immigration Office, in the IFARHU and in the Mayor’s Office of Panama and as Legal and Technical Advisor of the Communication and Transport Commission of the National Assembly. She also practiced law as a partner with S & B Law Firm, a firm specialized in government management.

Rolando A Mirones Ramírez / Minister of Security

Born February 16, 1969 he graduated in 1987 with a degree in Law and Political Science from the University of Panama. He has a Master’s degree in Comparative Law with a specialization in International Business from the University of San Diego.

Between 1996 and 1999 he held the positions of Deputy Director and General Director of Revenue, and General Secretary and Deputy Minister of Finance and Treasury. Between 2004 and 2005 he held the position of Vice Minister of Finance of the Ministry of Economy and Finance. Between 2005 and 2008 he served as director of the National Police and from 2008 until 2015 he was Vice President of Operations of the Los Pueblos Corporation.

Héctor Alexander / Minister of Economy and Finance

Born in Colón on April 9, 1943. Alexander obtained his baccalaureate in Commerce in 1962 with degrees in Economics and Commercial Engineering along with a PhD in Philosophy. 

Between 1974 and 1977 he was Economic Analyst of the Ministry of Planning and Economic Policy and from 1977 to 1979 he was Economic Advisor of the Ministry of Finance and Treasury. He was a member of the economic team of Dr. Nicolás Ardito Barletta during the negotiations of the Torrijos-Carter Treaties. (1976-1977). Between 1980 and 1982 he was Deputy Manager of the Colon Free Zone and between 1982 and 1984, Vice Minister and Minister of Planning and Economic Policy. Between 1985 and 1988 he was Minister of Finance and Treasury. 

Between 2004 and 2007 he held the position of Vice Minister of Economy and Finance and went on to occupy the office of minister between 2007 and 2009. He was chosen by The Banker Magazine of the Financial Times, as the Minister of Finance of the Americas for 2008 .

In the period between 2009 and 2012 he was a private consultant and Economic-Financial Advisor of the University of Panama and between 2016 and the present he provides his professional services at the USMA, first as Director of Economic and Academic Planning and then as Administrative Vice-Rector . Dr. Alexander has been a professor of several subjects of Economics at the University of Panama. He is a founding member of the PRD.