The democratic crisis in Venezuela, the flow of migrants through the Darien jungle and the constant threat of drug trafficking and organized crime were the topics discussed in a meeting on Tuesday between the President of the Republic of Panama, José Raúl Mulino, and the head of the Southern Command, General Laura Richardson.
The meeting took place in the Paz Room of the Palacio de las Garzas.
President Mulino took advantage of the presence of General Richardson and the United States ambassador to Panama, Mari Carmen Aponte, to ask the U.S. government for support regarding his initiative to invite 17 leaders of the hemisphere to a meeting in Panama this month, in order to make a joint declaration on Venezuela, and to seek a peaceful solution to the conflict in that nation.
The invitation to the presidents and heads of state was announced this Tuesday by President Mulino on his social network account X.
Since 66% of the migrants passing through the Darien jungle are Venezuelan nationals, President Mulino said the current situation in Venezuela will aggravate the migration crisis in the hemisphere. The vast majority of men, women and children who cross the border between Panama and Colombia on foot and continue through Central America have the United States as their final destination.
General Richardson and Ambassador Aponte expressed concern about the democratic and security instability in the countries of the hemisphere, and emphasized the importance of Panama as a strategic partner.
To this end, they said they are willing to make significant investments to help ensure the democratic sustainability of Panama and the region.
The United States delegation offered cooperation with Panama on the issue of repatriation flights for migrants arriving in Darien.
The head of the Southern Command also offered Panamanian security forces assistance in maintaining the helicopters of the National Aeronaval Service (Senan), since the previous government left most of the fleet abandoned and on the ground.
“The United States has no better ally than Panama,” said Mulino, who requested assistance from the United States in matters of security, technology and cooperation.
President Mulino was accompanied by his foreign minister, Javier Martínez Acha; the Minister of Security, Frank Ábrego; and the directors of the security forces: Jaime Fernández (National Police), Commissioner Jorge Gobea (Senafront), Commissioner Luis Antonio De Gracia (Senan) and the director of the National Migration Service, Roger Mojica.
Ambassador Aponte and General Richardson were accompanied by Ann Lynch and Julian Cheater (advisors to the head of the Southern Command), as well as the Chief Defense Officer, Daniel Betancourt and Lance Awbrey, head of the Office of Defense Cooperation.
