‘I Don’t Come Here to Shop’.  Panama President Mulino Defends his Trips Abroad.

In just over two years in power, President José Raúl Mulino has made 29 trips abroad. These trips have come under scrutiny.  The president, however, maintains that traveling is part of his “government strategy” and denies that his trips abroad have tourism purposes.  “They think one comes here for sightseeing and shopping, tourism. When nothing could be further from the truth,” Mulino said during a 15-minute interview with Ecuadorian journalist and politician Carlos Vera, when he was in Ecuador last Friday, September 4.The president has not held his weekly press conferences in Panama since June 18.

According to Mulino, personal contact is key. He cited his close relationship with his Ecuadorian counterpart, Daniel Noboa, as an example. He explained that their meetings have significantly improved relations between Panama and Ecuador.  He also highlighted the commercial interests between the two countries, especially transit through the Panama Canal. Ecuador is the ninth largest user of the waterway.  For Mulino, so-called presidential diplomacy is a tool to attract investment, strengthen alliances, and position the country.  He said that Panama maintains a “strong, aggressive and coordinated” foreign policy, not only with the region, but also with countries outside the continent.

 Security and Darien.

During the interview, Mulino also addressed security and the route used by migrants through the dense Darién jungle. He asserted that Panama maintains a constantly evolving strategy and acknowledged that the country continues to be used as a drug trafficking route, primarily along the Pacific coast.  He again claimed responsibility for the decision to close the migration route through the Darien Gap. “I closed the Darien. It was the only way. The only way,” he maintained.  He recalled that two weeks before assuming the Presidency, he visited the shelters and observed the magnitude of the migrant drama.

Mulino also recalled his experience as Minister of Security – during the administration of Ricardo Martinelli (2009-2014) – and assured that during that stage he played an important role on the border with Colombia.  He maintained that, at that time, the FARC occupied 26% of the territory of the Darién province and that they were driven out of the area. “At gunpoint and by force,” he said.

The Presidency is ‘A Very Hard Job’.

Mulino also spoke about his governing style. He said he came to the Presidential Palace to “work tirelessly” and that his administration is focused on integrating Panama into the world, making difficult decisions, and leaving behind tangible results.  He rejected being labeled a populist president and stated that he cannot “hand out money from the government” or promise what he cannot deliver. Some decisions, he added, are “strong” and “drastic.”  Mulino also spoke about the strain of holding the Presidency and used the term multitasking.  “The Presidency of the Republic is a relatively lonely position,” he said, noting that governing ends up being exhausting and isolating.  Mulino arrived in Ecuador on Friday morning and returned to the country that same day, in the evening.