Demetrio Basilio Lakas Bahas (August 29, 1925  – November 2, 1999) was the 27th President of Panama from December 19, 1969 to October 11, 1978.

Following his education in local schools, he graduated from Texas Tech University in 1953 and was honored as a distinguished alumnus in 1970.

[1] Lakas was nicknamed "Jimmy the Greek" due to his origin.

Lakas' presidency was primarily during rule of military officer Omar Torrijos, and was marked by media censorship and suppression of opposition movements.

[3] He died on 2 November 1999 at the age of 74 in Panama City after succumbing to a heart disease.