The President of the Republic, José Raúl Mulino, held his official meeting today with his Mexican counterpart, Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo, in which for two hours they agreed to relaunch relations between both countries, promoting bilateral trade, investments and scientific and technological cooperation. This included Mexico's direct support for the Panama Canal Neutrality Treaty as an important tool of international trade.

During the meeting at the National Palace of the Aztec country, Mulino highlighted in the joint declaration that Mexico and Panama are two bridge nations. "Mexico, the bridge between North America and Latin America. Panama, the bridge between the two oceans and between the two halves of this continent. We are, by vocation and by geography, countries that unite."

The Panamanian president reported that he spoke with Sheinbaum about the importance of more nations in the region supporting this principle. He explained that the neutrality of the Canal is not defended with weapons: it is defended with international law and with friends.

Both presidents also discussed the importance of regional integration and the opportunities that Panama opens to the trade of Mexican products, which are in demand throughout the world.

"This meeting is not only a bilateral meeting, it is also the search for elements to enhance the relationship between both nations for the benefit of the progress and prosperity of our people. Panama is today an investment grade economy, with a projected growth of close to 4% for this year and with the most connected logistics, air and financial hub in Latin America," highlighted Mulino.

Mulino indicated that Panama has a special regime for Multinational Company Headquarters, under which more than 190 companies in the world already operate. Of those, only two are Mexican. “I wish for the presence of more Mexican companies,” said Mulino in front of Sheinbaum.

The Panamanian president also congratulated the Government and the Army of Mexico for the action carried out in Guadalajara last February. “It is essential to recover the monopoly of force in the hands of democratic States and institutions that are born from the Constitution,” he stressed.

He announced that he is planning a meeting in Panama, together with the OAS, to carry out more integrated work in the region, coordinating actions, strengthening intelligence systems to stop the growth of merchandise, violence and drug trafficking resources. Mexico must be a main actor, stated Mulino.

Mulino ended by inviting Sheinbaum to participate as a guest of honor in the International Economic Forum Latin America and the Caribbean 2027, which will take place next year in Panama.

For her part, President Sheinbaum highlighted that the visit of the President of Panama to Mexico confirms “the solid friendship that unites our peoples and the shared will to continue building an increasingly closer relationship, based on mutual respect, dialogue and cooperation.”

He indicated that in light of this, Mexico reiterates its support for the Panama Canal Neutrality Protocol. “Panama and Mexico are two nations deeply linked by history, culture and a common vision about the role that Latin America and the Caribbean must play.”

He maintained that there are several issues that unite Panama and Mexico, starting with the interconnection that both countries have between the Atlantic and the Pacific. Also added are the business investment of Panamanian businessmen in Mexico and Mexican businessmen in Panama, a deep joint cultural history and also the academic and research relationship.

“In particular, we want to thank the extraordinary cooperation we have to eradicate the screwworm from cattle,” Sheinbaum highlighted.

He said that this support from Panama allowed the construction of the new biofactory inaugurated in Metapa de Domínguez, Chiapas, whose biological control model takes up the experience of the Pacora plant, in Panama, allowing Mexico to develop the flies that deal with the serious problem of the screwworm.