Committees meet at a regional meeting in Panama on immigration

Likewise, the first of these meetings was held in October 2021 in Colombia.

On this occasion, he has the presence of two dignitaries in the administration of Joe Biden: United States Secretary of State, Anthony Blinken; and National Security Secretary Alejandro Mallorcas, a residence rejected by popular movements as envoys for war.

Delegates from about 20 countries from the continent have been called to the meeting, according to the State Department, but according to the days and times of arrival in this capital, the attendance of Honduras, El Salvador, Belize, Costa Rica, Mexico and Colombia is confirmed; In addition to the United States and Panama.

The first results of the forum are expected to be announced at a press conference next Wednesday by Blinken, Mallorcas and their hosts, Isthmus Foreign Minister Erica Moines, and Public Security Chief Juan Pino. .

The day before, at Casco Antiguo in Panama City, the same speakers called for shared responsibility in the face of rising irregular migration.

This meeting will lay the groundwork for a regional agreement to be discussed during the Ninth Summit of the Americas, to be held June 6-10 in Los Angeles, California.

As part of his extensive agenda, Blinken also met with the President of the Republic, Laurentino Cortizo at the Palacio de las Garzas (the seat of the Executive Power) and visited the Panama Canal, of which the United States is the main user.

Countries agree that political instability, lack of strong institutions, corruption, insecurity, lack of opportunity – and most recently Covid-19 – are some of the causes of large-scale regional migration.

In the face of this phenomenon, Secretary of State Moines called on the region to respond as a strong group, with one agenda and the same interest.

While Blinken stressed that the United States considers Panama, the region that serves as a transit stage for thousands of migrants heading to North America, a key ally to confront part of this scourge.

ode / ja