The Government has converted the former PDF into a "law enforcement focused Panamanian public force" subordinate to civilian authority and composed of four independent services: the National Police (PNP), the National Maritime Service (SMN, like the U.S. Coast Guard), the National Air Service (SAN), and the Institutional Protection Service (SPI, like the U.S. Secret Service). A constitutional amendment, passed in 1994, permanently abolished the military.

Law enforcement units that are separated from the PPF, such as the Technical Judicial Police, also are directly subordinate to civilian authorities. The PPF budget, in contrast to the former PDF, is on public record and under the control of the executive.

Panama maintains an embassy in the United States at 2862 McGill Terrace, NW, Washington, DC 20008 (tel: 202-483-1407).