Panama's President José Raúl Mulino addressed the nation following the full Supreme Court's ruling that deemed the concession contract for the Balboa and Cristóbal port terminals unconstitutional. The terminals are operated by Panama Ports Company, a subsidiary of the Chinese firm Hutchinson.
The President explained that his statement is in response to the economic and logistical significance of the ports and the need to provide predictability to the international port community, workers, and the global supply chain. Mulino emphasized that the government had activated a contingency plan a year ago in anticipation of a potential adverse court ruling.
Mulino detailed that until the judicial decision is executed, the current operator will maintain continuity of operations. Subsequently, a transitional period leading to a new concession will be opened. To coordinate this process, he appointed engineer Alberto Alemán Zubieta as a presidential advisor and leader of a specialized technical team, aiming to ensure that each stage is executed with order, clarity, and without improvisation.
Mulino reiterated that throughout the process, the continuity of operations, worker stability, and the defense of the Panamanian state's interests will be guaranteed.
