Acodeco recovers $222,000 in unpaid fines from businesses

Panama’s Authority for Consumer Protection and Competition, known as Acodeco, recovered $222,506.96 in unpaid fines between January and July 2026.

The authority’s enforcement court handled 496 files across the country. The cases included fines that businesses paid in full and arrangements allowing them to settle their obligations over time.

Acodeco uses compulsory collection when a sanctioned economic operator fails to pay voluntarily and the decision imposing the fine has become final. Under Article 107 of Law 45 of 2007, the sanctioned party has 10 working days to pay after the administrative decision takes effect.

If the deadline passes without payment, the decision becomes enforceable and the collection process can begin. When legal requirements are met, the enforcement court may order precautionary measures, including the seizure of assets or funds.

Acodeco said the recovered money goes to different destinations depending on the nature of the violation and the applicable law. The mechanism is intended to prevent consumer protection and competition penalties from becoming ineffective because recipients do not pay them.