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PJMcK

(24,820 posts)
Thu Jan 22, 2026, 09:59 AM 6 hrs ago

An important quote in Panama

In order for my wife and me to obtain cedulas, which are Panamanian government ID cards used throughout the country superceding even our U.S. passports, we had to go through several procedures at the Electoral Tribune offices, The following quote was engraved above the entrance to the building.

"La salud de las democracias cualesquiera que sean su tipo y sagrado, depende de un mísero detalle técnico: el procedimiento electoral. Todo lo damas es secundario. Sin el apoyo de un autentico sufragio, las instituciones democráticas están en el aire."
- Jose Garcia Y Gasset

Translation:

"The health of democracies, whatever their type and form, depends on a seemingly insignificant technical detail: the electoral procedure. Everything else is secondary. Without the support of genuine suffrage, democratic institutions are left hanging in the balance."

This is something all Americans should remember or learn.

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An important quote in Panama (Original Post) PJMcK 6 hrs ago OP
Have you received your cedulas? My pensioner residency is still being processed. I had to drive a long ways to sinkingfeeling 5 hrs ago #1
We got lucky PJMcK 2 hrs ago #2

sinkingfeeling

(57,371 posts)
1. Have you received your cedulas? My pensioner residency is still being processed. I had to drive a long ways to
Thu Jan 22, 2026, 10:42 AM
5 hrs ago

register my fingerprints with Costa Rica. I completed everything last month.

PJMcK

(24,820 posts)
2. We got lucky
Thu Jan 22, 2026, 02:04 PM
2 hrs ago

Our appointment was originally scheduled for March but one of our lawyer's other clients cancelled so we got them last week on Monday.

That completes all of our paperwork and permits, drivers licenses, Pensionada visas and cedulas. What a process but such a relief!

When should you get yours? Good luck!

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