Washington, DC, July 17. Foreign Minister Javier Martínez-Acha Vásquez is on an official mission in the United States today. He met with Secretary of State Antony Blinken to discuss topics from the historic bilateral agenda that renewed momentum since President José Raúl Mulino's administration began. Deputy Foreign Minister Carlos Ruíz Hernández accompanied the minister.
During the diplomatic meeting, the Secretary of State congratulated the Panamanian Foreign Minister on his appointment as Minister of Foreign Affairs by President José Raúl Mulino. He also took the opportunity to commend Panama on its election as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council (2025-2026).
The Foreign Minister and the Secretary of State discussed a wide range of shared interests, including promoting inclusive economic growth, governance, and democratic values, managing migration humanely, and combating drug trafficking.
Both diplomats emphasized cooperation to create conditions for a safer and more prosperous future for both countries and the region. They reaffirmed the importance of the partnership between the United States and Panama. They highlighted the significance of the Memorandum of Understanding signed on July 1 to support Panama's efforts to safely and humanely repatriate irregular migrants who do not have a legal basis to remain in the country.
In Washington, the Head of Panamanian Diplomacy also participated in the Ministerial Meeting of Foreign Affairs of the Partnership for Economic Prosperity in the Americas ("Americas Alliance"), convened by the State Department. During the meeting, along with colleagues from other member countries—United States, Barbados, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Colombia, Ecuador, Mexico, Peru, Dominican Republic, and Uruguay—they discussed ongoing collaboration to harness the hemisphere's potential to foster inclusive, sustainable and shared prosperity for all.
In this context, Foreign Minister Martínez-Acha Vásquez emphasized that Panama is committed to leadership in this effort. “The Partnership for Economic Prosperity in the Americas is our opportunity to work together for a better future. Panama is committed to this initiative and ready to leverage our advantages to enhance regional cooperation and economic growth.”
“With its strategic location and strong economic infrastructure, Panama is uniquely positioned to play a fundamental role in this narrative of integration and prosperity,” added the Panamanian Foreign Minister, highlighting the importance of the Partnership for Economic Prosperity in the Americas (APEP).
During the meeting, representatives from the 12 member countries of the Americas Alliance reviewed the progress of commitments made last year during the inaugural summit of this initiative proposed by the United States to deepen economic integration, create well-paying jobs, and promote competitiveness, resilience, and innovation in the Western Hemisphere.
The Panamanian diplomatic authorities in Washington's agenda also includes participating in a meeting of the United States Chamber of Commerce, the launch of the Americas Partnership Investors Network, a roundtable with investors and entrepreneurs committed to Latin America and the Caribbean, and a meeting with Luis Almagro, Secretary-General of the Organization of American States.