Gabriel Silva Feels that the ‘Traditional Political Parties’ in Panama Want to Destroy ‘Vamos’
Gabriel Silva, a 35-year-old lawyer, was an independent congressman running for office (2019–2024); co-founder and vice president of the Vamos Coalition.
Traditional political parties in Panama view the Vamos coalition (Coalición Vamos) as a threat because it directly challenges their entrenched power, corruption, and political patronage system, having emerged as a massive force of independent candidates in the 2024 elections. Vamos, which won the highest number of parliamentary seats in 2024 (20 seats), threatens the traditional, clientelistic approach of established parties like the PRD (Partido Revolucionario Democrático) and CD (Cambio Democrático).
Key Reasons for the Opposition to Vamos Include:
- Disruption of the Political Monopoly: Vamos is a coalition of independent (non-party affiliated) candidates focused on transparency and anti-corruption, undermining the power structure of traditional parties. In the 2024 elections, independents won the highest number of seats, leaving traditional parties with a weakened, fragmented legislature.
- Anti-Corruption Stance: Vamos is heavily focused on ending the long history of a “shameful and corrupt” political class in Panama. This directly threatens politicians who rely on public funds, clientelism, and scandals, such as the illegal granting of scholarships to relatives of influential figures.
- Shift in Voter Sentiment: 83% of Panamanians reported dissatisfaction with their democracy, leading to an 83% desire for “radical change”. Vamos has capitalized on this by appealing to citizens tired of the traditional establishment.
- The Power of Independent Action: Founded by independent deputy Juan Diego Vásquez, who was a high-profile critic of corruption, Vamos aimed to fill local councils and the National Assembly with independent leaders, reducing the clout of traditional political parties.
- Legislative Control: Following the 2024 elections, the National Assembly was fragmented, with Vamos’s 20 representatives acting as a major independent bloc, often standing in opposition to the traditional party coalitions that previously controlled legislative agendas.
In short, the Vamos coalition aims to break the traditional political monopoly of established parties, threatening their patronage, power, and ability to operate without accountability.
