Manuel Espinosa Batista

Manuel Espinosa Batista (September 12, 1857 – November 27, 1919) was a Colombian pharmacist turned politician who campaigned for a separate Panama state and became one of "Founders of the Republic".

Eventually, he became an expert pharmacist and established a pharmacy on Central Avenue in 1882, in front of the Arias-Feraud house (now known as Casa de la Municipalidad).

A few months later, his great friend Jose Gabriel Duque was given a government contract to create a National Lottery and Manuel became his guarantor.

José Agustín Arango organized meetings in the back part of the pharmacy owned by Manuel Espinosa Batista.

During that cabildo, Panama independence was made official in an act signed by the members of the council and the citizens who attended the event.

Manuel Espinosa Batista not only acquired great economic, social, and political position during his life, but he was also a philanthropist.