Panama’s Foreign Minister Javier Martínez-Acha will Travel to Washington to Meet with Secretary of State Marco Rubio
During his remarks, the foreign minister assured that the bilateral relationship between Panama and the United States remains “fluid and respectful,” especially in matters of security. The foreign minister emphasized that Washington remains Panama’s main strategic partner in this area.
The Foreign Minister of the Republic, Javier Martínez-Acha, announced that this Sunday he will travel to Washington to hold a meeting with the United States Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, as well as with other personalities of the Government of President Donald Trump, within the framework of an agenda focused on cooperation and regional issues. During his statements to the media, the foreign minister assured that the bilateral relationship between Panama and the United States remains “fluid and respectful ,” especially in matters of security. He emphasized that Washington continues to be Panama’s main strategic partner in this area.
The foreign minister specified that the meeting with Rubio would address cooperation and the regional agenda, though he declined to provide details on other topics that might be discussed. He clarified that the Panama Canal is not on the agenda and denied any tensions with the U.S. administration regarding its control. Regarding potential trade talks, he indicated that these matters are not within his purview and that, at the moment, there is no intention to promote new initiatives related to trade agreements with the United States.
He emphasized that both countries share the fight against organized crime as their main concern, a threat that, he stated, not only affects Panama and the United States, but also nations in the region, Asia and Europe, and that a safe and neutral canal benefits multiple democracies and allied countries. Previously, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio had emphasized in press conferences that Washington maintains extensive security cooperation with several governments in the region, including Panama, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador and the Dominican Republic, as well as Colombia and Mexico. Despite the diplomatic tensions that marked the beginning of its relationship with the US administration of Donald Trump in 2015, Foreign Minister Martínez-Acha pointed out that there is currently a scenario of understanding and cooperation between both countries, based on mutual respect.
