The idea is to push real projects that have a tangible impact. Mulino said there is no time to waste and reminded that Chile is the fourth-largest user of the Panama Canal, a relationship that cannot be allowed to cool. For Mulino, this makes the relationship with Chile even more strategic. Kast, in turn, hopes Chile will rise from fourth to third-largest user of the Canal and use Panama as a bridge to reach markets in Europe and the Middle East. Both leaders agreed on something bigger: the need for a united America to face the coming geopolitical, commercial, and technological challenges. 'That closeness must be cared for and allowed to grow,' the Panamanian president stated. He also put a new regional move on the table: Panama joining Mercosur, which opens the door to the Southern Cone and reshapes the commercial landscape. The meeting was formal, but the message was clear: this is not a mere protocolary greeting, it's a strategic move. Mulino and Kast shook hands and reactivated the Panama–Chile axis. The meeting, held at the Palace of the Herons, detailed a plan for bilateral relations through a binational commission and fixed working tables. The agenda included economy, trade, education, and security. Without romanticism, but with stability and clear rules. Delegations from Foreign Relations, Trade, Security, and Economy of both countries were also at the table.
