---
title: "Parlacen Blocks Swearing-In Bid for Cortizo and Carrizo"
date: 2026-04-22
author: ""
url: https://panamadaily.news/parlacen-blocks-cortizo-carrizo-swearing-in-2/
categories:
  - "News"
  - "Politics"
tags:
  - "Central American Parliament"
  - "José Gabriel Carrizo"
  - "Laurentino Cortizo"
  - "Panama"
  - "Parlacen"
  - "PRD"
---

# Parlacen Blocks Swearing-In Bid for Cortizo and Carrizo

## What Happened

The Central American Parliament rejected a request on Tuesday, April 21, to amend its agenda and include the swearing-in of former Panamanian President Laurentino Cortizo and former Vice President José Gabriel Carrizo.

The vote took place during a session described by controversy, preventing the two former Panamanian leaders from being formally seated in the regional body at that moment.

## How the Motion Reached the Floor

The proposal was introduced by Representative Ernestina Morales, who serves as an alternate for Benicio Robinson in Parlacen. Robinson, who is president of Panama’s Democratic Revolutionary Party (PRD), had previously sent a letter asking that the swearing-in of Cortizo and Carrizo be added to the agenda.

That request did not gain approval from deputies in the Central American Parliament, stopping the item from moving forward during the session.

## Political Context in Panama

Cortizo and Carrizo are among the most prominent figures from Panama’s recent administration, and their attempted entry into Parlacen draws attention because the regional parliament often becomes a continuation point for former presidents and vice presidents in Central America.

In Panama, such appointments are politically sensitive because they connect domestic politics with regional institutions. Decisions involving Parlacen can carry weight beyond ceremonial seating, especially when they involve high-profile former officeholders.

## Why It Matters

The rejection adds another layer to the debate around Parlacen’s role and the participation of former Panamanian leaders in the institution. It also highlights the influence of agenda control inside the regional parliament, where procedural votes can determine whether major political moves advance.

For Panama, the outcome underscores how closely regional and national politics remain linked, particularly when former top officials seek a place in Central American institutions after leaving office.