The 2 Ports will No Longer Be in the Hands of a Single Company: Panama President Mulino
In his usual Thursday press conference, President José Raúl Mulino stated emphatically that he respects the independence of state institutions but does not accept international pressure.
President José Raúl Mulino said today that Panama will not again grant two ports to a single company, period. The decision comes after the Supreme Court ruling that stripped the Hong Kong-based Panama Port Company of its port concessions. The president emphasized that the ruling will be respected, as is appropriate in a state governed by the rule of law. Mulino said that the ruling is sovereign, that it was issued by the Judicial Branch and that the Executive Branch respects it. “If the ruling had been different, it would have been respected as well,” he said, making it clear that there were no campaigns or outside interference in the decision. Regarding what’s next, he explained that the State will assume control of the ports during a transitional period.
During this time, operations will continue as normal. No closures, no chaos, no surprises. So far, he affirmed, there has been no operational disruption. It will be after this transition that the government defines the new concession model. And there he reiterated, without mincing words: the scheme of a single company managing two ports will not be repeated. Port administration will be evaluated separately, although he did not provide dates or details on how the future contracts will be structured. Mulino also responded to statements from Hong Kong and sectors linked to China, which raised concerns about potential economic or political consequences. The president was clear: Panama acts within its constitutional framework, respects the independence of state institutions, and does not accept international pressure.
