Asfura arrives in Panama for Amphictyonic Congress bicentennial

Honduran President Nasry ‘Tito’ Asfura has arrived in Panama City to participate in the bicentennial celebration of the Amphictyonic Congress. The historic meeting, convened by Simón Bolívar in 1826, is credited with establishing the foundations of contemporary multilateralism.

Asfura landed at Tocumen International Airport on Sunday afternoon and was greeted with a ceremonial honor guard. Panama is set to become a hub for regional diplomacy next week, hosting both the Amphictyonic Congress bicentennial events and the 56th General Assembly of the Organization of American States (OAS). These gatherings are expected to draw over 2,500 participants and 92 delegations.

Several Latin American presidents are attending the Amphictyonic Congress bicentennial, including Bernardo Arévalo de León of Guatemala, Gustavo Petro of Colombia, and Daniel Noboa of Ecuador, alongside El Salvador's Vice President Félix Ulloa. They will be joined by 35 foreign ministers, 10 ministers, 113 ambassadors, and representatives from eight international organizations. The OAS General Assembly, however, will be attended by the foreign ministers of member states, not the heads of state.

The Panamanian government views the simultaneous occurrence of these two significant events as having profound historical value. The Amphictyonic Congress, held in Panama two centuries ago, not only laid the groundwork for multilateralism but also served as the direct precursor to the OAS.