Panama's Mulino Offers to Strengthen Cooperation with Colombia Ahead of De la Espriella's Inauguration

Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino arrived in Cali, Colombia, on Friday, expressing his readiness to bolster cooperation with the neighboring nation. His visit comes just hours before the official investiture of Colombia's president-elect, the right-wing politician Abelardo de la Espriella, which is set to take place in the southwestern city.

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With utmost pleasure, I return to Colombia today, a momentous day as President Abelardo de la Espriella assumes command.

Upon his arrival at the Alfonso Bonilla Aragón International Airport, Mulino was welcomed with military honors by cadets from the Colombian Air Force. He was received by outgoing Colombian Foreign Minister Rosa Villavicencio. "With utmost pleasure, I return to Colombia today, a momentous day as President Abelardo de la Espriella assumes command," Mulino stated in a declaration.

Mulino conveyed a message of "brotherhood, good neighborliness, and much cooperation" from Panama to Colombia. The two countries share a significant border, spanning 266 kilometers of dense jungle in the Darién Gap region. He extended his best wishes to the incoming Colombian head of state, assuring him that Panama stands "ready for all the cooperation we need to undertake."

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brotherhood, good neighborliness, and much cooperation

Prior to the inauguration ceremony, Mulino was scheduled to hold bilateral meetings. Besides his meeting with de la Espriella, he planned to meet with the Minister of State for International Cooperation of the United Arab Emirates, Reem Al Hashimy. According to the Panamanian Presidency, the talks with de la Espriella were set to address key issues including bilateral cooperation, electrical interconnection, security, the fight against organized crime, commercial and diplomatic relations, and a potential alliance to boost tourism investments.

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Panama stands 'ready for all the cooperation we need to undertake.'