President of Panama José Raúl Mulino took part in a ceremony as part of the 204th anniversary of the country's independence from Spain, which occurred on November 28, 1821. The event was held in the district of Boquete, Chiriquí province.
During the ceremony, President Mulino also reviewed the historical events that preceded Panama's independence. He mentioned the actions taken by his government to restore a good foreign policy.
President José Raúl Mulino expressed his gratitude to the Panamanian people "for making the nation every day, with their effort, dedication, and an unconditional love for the country."
Closing his speech, the president addressed the nation on economic matters.
"Everything I have done and will continue to do in international affairs is with the aim of returning to Panama its international respect, investor confidence, and the opening of the country so that more businesspeople and tourists come here," stated Mulino.
"What they have done to Panama borders treason to the homeland, leaving hospitals, water treatment plants, schools, and roads in a state of abandonment... I am a person with flaws, but I will never betray the homeland I love," he pointed out.
According to the president, these events wrote the history of the formation of a sovereign homeland and an independent territory like the one we know today.
"We cannot continue to take the easy way, the populist 'smart guy' path that has led us to the brink of the abyss," he concluded.
He also emphasized the need to end the year well by ordering the finances and, above all, reactivating stalled works.
"These were tough but necessary and patriotic decisions, the president remarked, such as: controlling migration, implementing policies to attract concrete investments, and adding tourists.
The president also reviewed the importance of various sectors, highlighting: the workers who move the country, the artists who keep our identity alive, the security forces, teachers, students, health professionals, and other fields, as well as the peasants and indigenous people who produce and harvest our land.
Following the official ceremony, which also included the participation of Boquete Mayor Eduardo Rodríguez, the civic parade began along Central Avenue in Boquete. More than 60 delegations, including schools, institutions, and independent bands, marched and paid honor to the country, thus closing the celebrations for the Month of the Homeland.
There, the national flag was handed over to Minister Juan Carlos Orillac, the official standard-bearer for this November 28.
"We all wanted to be flying... with a lot of effort, we are dragging to be able to take off. But it is the right path."
The official acts were held at the José Domingo Candanedo Municipal Palace.
Among the topics he highlighted were: progress in electrical interconnection, integration with Mercosur and the Central American Alliance, strengthening ties with the European Union, Japan, and South Korea, and the good moment in relations with the United States after overcoming past disagreements.
"This is a path that highlights favorable macroeconomic data and lays the groundwork to start turning the wheel of the economy, with palpable improvements in the microeconomy that will translate into benefits for consumers in stores, businesses, and the generation of new opportunities."
