Central American Court wants to integrate Panama

The Central American Court of Justice (CCJ) will hold its session today in Panama for the first time, as part of the Central American Forum of Community Law and International Private Law. The two-day meeting brings together the chief justices of the supreme courts of El Salvador, Nicaragua, Guatemala and Honduras, as well as regional representatives and delegates.

CCJ President Carlos Guerra Gallardo explained that the objective of the forum is to exchange knowledge and experiences regarding community law and international private law so that “Central American thought may arise and regional integration can progress.”

The CCJ currently consists of judges from El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua, while Guatemala plans to be added. Costa Rica and Panama are the only countries that are not members of the organism.

Guerra Gallardo commented that the organism feels strong ties with Panama and is interested in its integration. “Central America is not a region with a large number of habitants nor territory, but geopolitically speaking we are very strategic. With the Panama Canal and the other one that will be built in Nicaragua, we will become a trading power,” he said. The event is supported by the Faculty of Law of the University of Panama.