Washington, DC - The Secretary met with Panamanian President Juan Carlos Varela and Vice President and Foreign Minister Isabel de Saint Malo de Alvarado today at the Presidential Palace in Panama City. The leaders reaffirmed the historical and longstanding U.S.-Panama partnership on bilateral and regional security and economic issues.

Secretary Pompeo expressed appreciation for Panama’s leadership on important regional security matters including counter-narcotics, illegal immigration, and the Government of Panama’s vocal advocacy for the restoration of democracy in Venezuela and Nicaragua. Secretary Pompeo also stressed the importance of transparency and anti-corruption efforts in Panama.