Military—note: in October 1994, a month after President PEREZ BALLADARES assumed office, Panama's Legislative Assembly approved a constitutional amendment prohibiting the creation of a standing military force, but allowing the temporary establishment of a "special police force" to counter acts of "external aggression"
Transnational Issues
Disputes—international: none
Illicit drugs: major cocaine transshipment point and major drug-money-laundering center; no recent signs of coca cultivation; monitoring of financial transactions is improving
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@Papua New Guinea ————————
Geography
Location: Southeastern Asia, group of islands including the eastern half of the island of New Guinea between the Coral Sea and the South Pacific Ocean, east of Indonesia
Geographic coordinates: 6 00 S, 147 00 E
Map references: Oceania