The Panama Canal Authority confirmed that it needs to acquire new lands from the central government to advance the port development project in the Corozal area and adjacent zones. As exclusively reported by SNIP Noticias, Administrator Ricaurte Vásquez stated that part of the land was left pending from the 2023 transaction, and the canal administration must complete that process before proceeding to the market. "We have to close that because without having the title, we could hardly go to the market," the administration indicated. The amount of the transaction is still under discussion, as they must wait for the appraisal from the Comptroller's Office and the Ministry of Economy and Finance. The Canal administration emphasized that these lands are indispensable for the port project. "We consider that they are absolutely required to carry out that development," they responded. For this reason, the prequalification documents have not yet been finalized and should be ready by the end of this month or the next, January. When asked if the dates were clearer, they confirmed that they are, but the land acquisition process is still pending. "We have a clearer picture, but we must complete a pending step. At the end of the day, we have to close the transaction so that the lands are registered in the canal's name and become its property. We cannot proceed without them," the administrator explained.
