Acodeco recovers over $222,000 in unpaid fines in Panama

Panama’s Consumer Protection and Competition Defense Authority (Acodeco) recovered $222,506.96 in unpaid fines through coactive collection processes between January and July 2026. The enforcement was managed by the agency’s Executing Court and involved 496 files, including both full payments and payment arrangements.

The coactive collection procedure is triggered when economic agents fail to voluntarily pay fines imposed for violations of Law 45 of 2007 regarding consumer protection and competition defense. Under the law, once an administrative resolution is finalized, the sanctioned party has ten business days to settle the obligation. If the deadline passes without payment, the resolution acquires executive merit, allowing Acodeco to pursue collection through methods such as the seizure of assets or funds.

The recovered funds are allocated to various destinations depending on the nature of the violation and current legislation. This mechanism is intended to ensure that sanctions for consumer protection infractions are effectively enforced rather than remaining unpaid.