Panama President and María Corina Machado agree on urgent need for democratic solution in Venezuela

Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino and Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado have underscored the critical need for a democratic resolution to Venezuela's ongoing crisis. Their high-level meeting at the Presidential Palace in Panama City marked the culmination of Machado's official visit to the Central American nation.

During the talks, Machado stressed the imperative of establishing a definitive political process to ensure fair, transparent, and competitive presidential elections in Venezuela. She reiterated her firm intention to be a candidate in such elections. The Panamanian Presidency stated that such institutional steps are vital to begin addressing the profound political, economic, and humanitarian crisis plaguoing Venezuela, which has fueled significant irregular migration across the Americas.

Machado expressed her gratitude to President Mulino for Panama's consistent support of democratic forces in Venezuela within international forums. She also acknowledged Panama's welcoming policies, which have provided refuge for tens of thousands of Venezuelan migrants. Machado's international tour aims to consolidate regional support for her cause.

Her agenda in Panama included large public assemblies with the Venezuelan diaspora, working sessions with representatives of the Democratic Unitary Platform, and strategic bilateral meetings. She recently met with Colombian senator and presidential candidate Paloma Valencia. Machado reaffirmed her commitment to participating in free and verifiable elections in Venezuela, aligning with a multi-phase plan previously outlined by the U.S. administration.

“

Thank you, dear President @JoseRaulMulino, for your firm commitment to democracy and the stability of our region, and for your brave leadership in the hemisphere. Venezuela will always remember what the people and Government of Panama have done for our people and for...