Isabel Saint Malo

Isabel Saint Malo
Name	Isabel Saint Malo
Office	Vice President of Panama
President	Juan Carlos Varela
Term start	1 July 2014
Term end	1 July 2019
Predecessor	Isabel Saint Malo (none)
Successor	Jose Gabriel Carrizo
Birth date	1968
Alma mater	Dickinson College; University of New Hampshire

Isabel Saint Malo Isabel de Saint Malo de Alvarado is a Panamanian diplomat, politician, and former Vice President and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Panama. She served in the Varela administration and is noted for initiatives in international finance, humanitarian response, and multilateral diplomacy. Her career intersects with regional organizations, transnational initiatives, and global actors.

Early life and education

Saint Malo was born in Panama and completed secondary and higher education that connected her with institutions such as Dickinson College and the University of New Hampshire. During her studies she engaged with programs linked to United Nations Development Programme training modules and exchanges that included networks associated with Inter-American Development Bank technical teams. Her early formation brought her into contact with figures and institutions from the Organization of American States, Panama City civic groups, and multinational consulting circles tied to World Bank projects.

Diplomatic and international career

Before holding national elective office, Saint Malo worked in international cooperation and diplomacy with ties to entities such as the United Nations, United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, World Health Organization, and regional mechanisms like the Central American Integration System and the Caribbean Community. She collaborated with nongovernmental organizations that partnered with the International Committee of the Red Cross and engaged in policy forums alongside representatives from United States Agency for International Development, European Union External Action Service, and the International Monetary Fund. Her portfolio included coordination with the Pan American Health Organization, negotiations reflecting standards set by the World Trade Organization, and participation in conferences convened by the Summit of the Americas.

Political career and vice presidency

In 2014 Saint Malo joined the presidential ticket of Juan Carlos Varela and assumed office as Vice President and concurrently as Minister of Foreign Affairs. Her vice presidency placed her in institutional interactions with bodies such as the National Assembly of Panama, the Supreme Court of Justice of Panama, and executive counterparts from countries including Colombia, Costa Rica, Mexico, United States, and Spain. Throughout her term she engaged with diplomatic counterparts from the Organization of American States and attended summits like the United Nations General Assembly and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States meetings. Her role required coordination with agencies including the Ministry of Economy and Finance (Panama) and the Ministry of Security (Panama) on cross-cutting initiatives.

Foreign policy and diplomatic initiatives

As Foreign Minister, Saint Malo led Panamanian delegations to multilateral fora such as the United Nations, the Organization of American States, and the Association of Caribbean States. She advanced Panama's positions on matters raised at the United Nations Security Council and advocated engagement in frameworks promoted by the Inter-American Development Bank and the World Bank. Her diplomatic portfolio addressed issues with bilateral partners including China, Taiwan, Japan, Germany, and Brazil, and she negotiated agreements influencing cooperation with Canada, Chile, Peru, and Argentina. Saint Malo also supported humanitarian and migration responses coordinated with International Organization for Migration and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, and she took part in climate discussions resonant with the Paris Agreement dialogues.

Domestic policy and governance

Domestically, Saint Malo coordinated initiatives that intersected with national institutions such as the National Secretariat for Science, Technology and Innovation (SENACYT) and the Metropolitan Transit Authority. Her vice presidency required collaboration with economic actors including the Panama Canal Authority and oversight bodies engaging standards similar to those advanced by the Financial Action Task Force. She worked with social development programs aligned with United Nations Children's Fund and health campaigns in collaboration with the Pan American Health Organization. Saint Malo's administration faced legislative interaction with the National Assembly of Panama on measures concerning transparency and anti-corruption efforts that referenced international protocols like the United Nations Convention against Corruption.

Later career and legacy

After leaving public office, Saint Malo continued participation in international forums and advisory roles with organizations such as the World Economic Forum, Inter-American Dialogue, Wilson Center, and academic institutions including Harvard Kennedy School programs and Johns Hopkins University initiatives. Her legacy is discussed in analyses by think tanks like the Brookings Institution, the Council on Foreign Relations, and regional commentary from the Panama Canal Authority stakeholders. Saint Malo's career is cited in studies of Panamanian diplomacy alongside figures and episodes involving Martín Torrijos, Ricardo Martinelli, Laurentino Cortizo, and policy episodes tied to the Panama Papers disclosures.

Category:Panamanian politicians Category:Vice presidents