The President of the Republic of Panama, José Raúl Mulino, assured that the roads will remain open amid protests, reaffirming that the sovereignty of the country is not under discussion and that there is no ceding of territory. These statements were made during the conference held every Thursday at the Presidential Amphitheater.
Mulino clarified that the Memorandum of Understanding does not imply the presence of military bases nor the ceding of territory, and emphasized that there has been no such request from the United States. Regarding Bocas del Toro, he assured that they do not want a repeat of what happened in Puerto Armuelles and that the actions will not affect that region.
On the housing front, the president mentioned that 3,407 houses have been built in communal areas and throughout the country, of which 1,909 are connected to the electricity grid and 1,509 are support in rural areas. Concerning the water supply in La 24 de Diciembre, it is expected that more than 9,000 residents will have access to drinking water 24 hours a day after 20 years of waiting, which will mean a considerable savings in tanker trips.
Mulino emphasized that the Panamanian State maintains control over situations and reiterated that the sovereignty of the country is not at stake nor is it being compromised. He also pointed out that it is regrettable to see marches, signatures of false documents, and misinformation, and that the priority is national security and the well-being of citizens.
President Mulino stressed the importance of keeping the roads open, assuring that efforts are being made to seek the benefit of Panama. Facing the closure of a farm is a difficult situation that is to be avoided, which is why it is expected that meetings with different sectors, such as the Chiquita company, will develop positively. He also rejects any radical action that hinders the progress of the country, with the goal of maintaining tranquility and advancement in Panama.
