Demetrio B. Lakas

Demetrio B. Lakas
27th President of Panama
In office December 19, 1969^1 – October 11, 1978
Preceded by	José María Pinilla^2
Succeeded by	Aristides Royo
Personal details
Born	August 29, 1925 Colón, Panama
Died	November 2, 1999 (aged 74) Panama City
Nationality	Panama
1 Lakas began his term in office as the Chairmen of the Provisional Junta of Government. 2 Fábrega was the military Chairmen of the Provisional Junta of Government.

Demetrio Basilio Lakas Bahas (August 29, 1925 in Colón, Panama – November 2, 1999 in Panama City) was president of Panama from December 19, 1969 to October 11, 1978. Lakas graduated from Texas Tech University in 1963 and was honored as a distinguished alumnus in 1970.^[1]

Lakas' presidency was primarily during rule of military officer Omar Torrijos, and was marked by media censorship and suppression of opposition movements. He also negotiated the 1977 Torrijos–Carter Treaty that transferred control of the Panama Canal from the US to Panama.^[2]

References

1. Programs Template
2. "Deaths Elsewhere". THe Washington Post.  – via HighBeam Research (subscription required) . November 4, 1999. Retrieved 18 September 2012.