An Email and Several Dismissals Along with Political Interference in Panama’s Electricity System Created a Crisis at Etesa.

A controversial email sent by the head of Panama’s National Dispatch Center (CND), Danielo Duarte, claimed state-owned ETESA lacked funds for market obligations. Though quickly retracted by CND director Carlos Barreto, the incident triggered four high-level dismissals and fueled long-standing concerns regarding political interference in Panama’s core electricity network.

The Conflicting Emails.

• First Warning – Danielo Duarte stated ETESA lacked cash for settlement debits, threatening payment guarantee executions.

• Retraction – Hours later, Carlos Barreto claimed the first email lacked authorization and accurate financial backing, confirming funds were fine.

Dismissals and Sector Concerns.

• Top Firings – Four veteran executives and officials from the CND leadership structure were dismissed following the mishap.

• Political Control – Experts warn that the CND—the technical brain coordinating real-time national power generation—remains too vulnerable to political shifts under ETESA.

• Autonomy Demand – Analysts argue the dispatch center needs legal and financial independence from political volatility to safeguard national grid stability.

An alert about a lack of funds at Etesa resulted in four departures from the National Dispatch Center and revived the debate about its technical independence and political interference in the agency.