Complex sentence: The first Panamanian codes, promulgated in 1917, were patterned on those of Colombia and other Latin American states that had earlier broken away from the Spanish Empire; therefore, Panama's legal heritage incorporated elements from Spain and its colonies.
Split into simpler sentences: The first Panamanian codes, promulgated in 1917, were patterned upon those of Colombia and other Latin American states that had earlier broken away from the Spanish Empire. Therefore, Panama's legal heritage incorporated elements from Spain and its colonies.