Panama’s Mulino and Colombia’s Petro Highlight Energy as Key to Climate Crisis

Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino and Colombian President Gustavo Petro held a bilateral meeting this Friday, where they discussed issues such as energy interconnection, drug trafficking, and migration.  After the meeting, both leaders spoke briefly about the outcome of the talks.  Mulino stated that the meeting was fruitful and highlighted the importance and commitment the two countries have adopted regarding energy interconnection.  For his part, Petro said that energy interconnection is a fundamental issue and added that it’s not just about integrating Panama and Colombia and addressing these challenges in these times of climate crisis.  He believes that the coordination between Panama and Colombia could provide a significant part of the global solution to the climate crisis.

He believes that the coordination between Panama and Colombia could provide a significant part of the global solution to the climate crisis.  According to Petro, the United States needs 1,200 gigabytes of clean energy to replace its 1,200 gigabytes of fossil fuels, coal, gas, and oil and South America have the potential to use 1,500 gigabytes annually.  “That is, we could clean up the United States’ energy matrix. Yes, Central America, Panama, and Colombia could articulate the two major electrical systems. Many other things will be needed, but the essentials are there,” he explained.  The Colombian president explained that he is not only trying to solve problems specific to Panama and Colombia through a power line, but also to find real and concrete solutions for humanity and the world.   The leaders also addressed the issue of migration, given the problems it poses to both countries. 

Mulino stated that the meeting was fruitful and highlighted the importance and commitment the two countries have adopted regarding energy interconnection.