Presidents of Panama and the Cold War Blocs

Marco Aurelio Robles' Presidency (1964-1968)

Marco Aurelio Robles Méndez (Aguadulce, Panama, November 8, 1905 - April 19, 1990) was a Panamanian politician. He served as Justice Minister from 1960 to 1964 and was subsequently elected President of Panama, serving from October 1, 1964, until October 1, 1968. During his presidency, he created the Institute for Training and Development of Human Resources (IFARHU). However, his rule was marked by corruption and repression of workers. In 1965, he negotiated a new agreement with the U.S. after restoring broken relationships a year earlier due to serious rioting in the Panama Canal Zone. In March 1968, he was deposed by the National Assembly but remained in power thanks to support from the National Guard until the elections, which gave victory to Arnulfo Arias Madrid in May 1968.

Omar Torrijos Herrera's Leadership (1969-1981)

Omar Efraín Torrijos Herrera (Santiago, February 13, 1929 - Amador, near Panama City, July 31, 1981) was a Panamanian army officer. He was one of the leaders, with Boris Martinez, of the 1968 coup and led the country from 1969 to 1981. The 1972 Constitution named him the "Maximum Leader of the Panamanian Revolution." He was the father of Martín Torrijos Espino, who was President of the Republic of Panama from 2004 to 2009.

Arnulfo Arias's Early Career and Presidency

Arnulfo Arias was born on August 15, 1901, in Penonomé City, Province of Coclé. He was the son of Antonio Arias and Carmen Madrid. He conducted his studies in New York and pursued higher education at the Universities of Chicago and Harvard, where he studied medicine. During the government of his brother, Harmodio Arias Madrid, he occupied the Ministry of Agriculture and Public Works. He was elected President of the Republic in 1940 by a wide margin after the opposition candidate, Ricardo J. Alfaro, withdrew from the race due to violent actions against him and his followers during the campaign.

The Cold War Blocs

The U.S. Capitalist Bloc

Members included: Canada, UK, France, Portugal, Norway, Denmark, West Germany, Holland, Belgium, Luxembourg, Italy, Greece, Turkey, and Spain.

The Soviet Socialist Bloc

Members included: Poland, East Germany, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Romania, and Bulgaria. Albania was a member for a period.