Constitution of the Republic of Panama of 1904

The Constitution of the Republic of Panama of 1904 is the constitution that established the legal and political framework for the government of Panama in the period between 1904 and 1941 . It was promulgated on February 15, 1904, shortly after the country’s independence from Colombia in 1903.
The Constitution of 1904 established a republican and representative system of government. It established the division of powers into three branches: the Executive Branch, headed by a president; the Legislative Power, in charge of a National Assembly; and the Judiciary, with the Supreme Court as the highest authority.
This constitution also laid the foundations for the political and administrative organization of the country. It defined the structure of central government, the autonomy of municipalities, and the rights and duties of citizens.
With regard to individual rights, the 1904 Constitution guaranteed freedom of speech, press, worship and association. It also recognized equality before the law and the right to private property.
The Constitution of the Republic of Panama of 1904 was replaced in 1941 by a new constitution, but its legacy lives on in Panama’s constitutional history. It laid the foundations for the political and social development of the country and contributed to the consolidation of the Republic of Panama as an independent and democratic nation.