Panama’s National Lottery of Beneficence (LNB) is entering a new administrative phase following a sudden change in its top leadership.
The transition comes at a critical juncture as the institution undergoes significant modernization efforts and strengthens its ties with regional lottery bodies.
Interim Appointment
Saquina Jaramillo Adam has officially resigned from her post as Director General. Her departure was formalized via Executive Decree No. 1, signed on January 14, 2026, by the Ministry of Economy and Finance. While Jaramillo has not issued a public statement regarding the reasons for her resignation, the government moved quickly to ensure stability.
President José Raúl Mulino has appointed Marcela Hernández Fernández as the interim Director General. Hernández, who has served as the Deputy Director General since February 2025, is expected to provide continuity during this period of heightened public scrutiny.
Regional Synergy and Modernization
The leadership change coincides with a period of deep cooperation with the Ibero-American Corporation of State Lotteries and Betting (CIBELAE). In late 2025, the LNB participated in strategic meetings to define priorities for the 2025–2027 period, focusing on:
- Technical cooperation and professional training.
- Operational adjustments to increase transparency.
- Consolidating state lotteries across the Ibero-American region.
Notably, despite her resignation from the LNB, Saquina Jaramillo was recently approved as the Secretary General of CIBELAE during its assembly in Asunción.
A Defining Moment
As Hernández takes the helm, Panama’s National Lottery remains one of Panama’s most visible public institutions. Her interim period will be measured by her ability to keep modernization projects on track while the government searches for a permanent successor to navigate the evolving digital and regulatory landscape of state-run lotteries.
