Background
José Antonio Remón Cantera was born on 11 April 1908 in Panama. He was a member of an old but impoverished Panamanian family.
José Antonio Remón Cantera was born on 11 April 1908 in Panama. He was a member of an old but impoverished Panamanian family.
He attended the National Institute, Panama’s prestigious secondary school. His connections then enabled him to secure a scholarship in Mexico at the National Military Academy. He graduated third in his class in 1931 and entered the Panamanian National Police with the rank of captain.
In 1931, when the United States refrained from intervening in the overthrow of President Florencio Harmodio Arosemena, the National Police became a factor in political affairs. Its power expanded after the coup ousting President Arnulfo Arias Madrid in 1941, again with U.S. blessing.
After shuttling civilian politicians in and out of the presidency, Remón put together the National Patriotic Coalition and won his own election in 1952.