Aristides Royo

Aristides Royo Sánchez (born 14 August 1940 in La Chorrera, Panamá Province) was President of Panama from 11 October 1978 to 31 July 1982, when he was pressured to resign by the military.

He studied law at the University of Salamanca in Spain, returning to Panama in 1965. During the military dictatorship, he served as Education Minister from 1973 to 1974 and helped negotiate the Torrijos–Carter Treaties in 1977.

Following his presidency, he was appointed Ambassador to Spain (1994-1996) and France (1998-1999).

Presidents and heads of state of Panama from 1968 to 1989 were mainly appointed by either General Omar Torrijos or General Manuel Noriega, who were the two powerful strongmen during that period. President Jimmy Carter negotiated the Panama Canal treaties with General Torrijos in 1978, which were opposed by then presidential candidate Ronald Reagan. Eleven years later, President George H. W. Bush launched the Invasion of Panama to remove General Manuel Noriega from power.