Panama: Official resigns amid conflict of interest probe

Sherina Latorraca Santamaría has resigned from her position as director of Legal Affairs at Panama's Directorate General of Public Procurement (DGCP). The departure follows growing questions about her appointment and a potential conflict of interest stemming from her mother's role.

Latorraca's mother, Zaira Santamaría Latorraca, serves as the magistrate president of the Administrative Tribunal of Public Procurement (TACP). The TACP is part of the same public procurement system and handles disputes related to state contracts, raising concerns about impartiality.

The issue gained public attention when Santamaría Latorraca appeared before the National Assembly's Budget Committee to discuss the TACP's budget. She acknowledged her daughter's position at the DGCP but denied any conflict of interest, stating her daughter did not make final decisions and only provided legal opinions.

However, the National Authority for Transparency and Access to Information (ANTAI) stated it had not received any prior consultations from Santamaría Latorraca regarding her daughter's appointment. ANTAI has since opened its own investigation into Latorraca's hiring to determine if any irregularities occurred. Latorraca had assumed her role at the DGCP in April 2026.