Panama President Mulino and Marco Rubio Discuss the UN Secretary-General Election and Earthquake News October 27.

Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino spoke on Tuesday, October 27, with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio about cooperation to assist those affected by the October 9 earthquake and the election of the next Secretary-General of the United Nations (UN).  According to official information, Mulino thanked the United States for the humanitarian assistance and the deployment of personnel to support assessments of structural damage caused by the earthquake of October 9.  The United States Embassy in Panama estimated its contributions in humanitarian and logistical assistance at $10 million, in addition to the deployment of 20 search and rescue specialists during the first 24 hours, who carried out more than 370 structural assessments together with the Panamanian authorities, and the mobilization of more than 60 tons of emergency supplies. 

The earthquake, with a magnitude of 7.5, led the Panamanian government to declare a national state of emergency to assist the affected communities, mainly in the provinces of Herrera, Los Santos, Veraguas and Coclé.  The conversation between Mulino and Rubio also included the process for choosing who will lead the United Nations from 2027 onwards. According to the statement, both agreed on the need to reach a broad consensus around the candidacy.  Furthermore, official information states that Mulino proposed considering the practice of regional rotation for the selection of the Secretary General, arguing that Latin America and the Caribbean should have the opportunity to hold the position this time.  The term of the current Secretary-General, António Guterres of Portugal, ends on December 31 of this year, and whoever is elected will have to take office on January 1, 2027.