U.S. Ambassador Kevin Marino Cabrera hosted Panamanian government officials and community leaders in Panama City on March 11 to commemorate the 65th anniversary of the Peace Corps. The event celebrated decades of collaborative service between the united states and Panama, focusing on education, health, and agricultural development.
Representatives from multiple Panamanian ministries attended the ceremony at the U.S. Embassy in Panama. These included the offices of the First Lady and the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Health, and Education. The gathering highlighted an ongoing partnership that began with the first Peace Corps volunteers arriving in Panama in 1963.
“The Peace Corps is a powerful symbol of the friendship between Panama and the United States. Since 1963, over 3,000 volunteers have served in Panama. Peace Corps volunteers help to advance President Trump’s vision of a safer and more prosperous region through direct people-to-people ties,” stated Ambassador kevin marino cabrera. [Translated from Spanish]
Currently, 114 American volunteers are serving two-year assignments across Panama. Their work spans eight provinces and the indigenous Ngäbe-Buglé Comarca. These volunteers embed themselves in local communities, partnering directly with Panamanian youth in schools and on community projects.
Sustained Impact on Community Development
The anniversary event specifically recognized the cumulative efforts of more than three thousand volunteers over six decades. Their service has created a lasting network of cooperation. This partnership remains active today through programs designed to build local capacity and skills.
“Peace Corps volunteers work side by side with Panamanian communities to support education, agriculture, and health, enabling young people to develop skills – including English – that support future opportunities,” said Matthew Carlson, Director of Peace Corps Panama. “We appreciate our many Panamanian partners, from the national government to the local communities that host our volunteers.” [Translated from Spanish]
Ambassador Cabrera presented a formal recognition plaque to Panama’s Minister of Health, Dr. Fernando Boyd Galindo, during the panama city commemorating event. The gesture underscored the institutional gratitude for long-term collaboration. The ceremony featured both the U.S. and Panamanian flags, symbolizing the bilateral nature of the initiative.
This anniversary forms a key part of the U.S. Embassy’s broader “Freedom 250” programming. Those activities mark 250 years of American independence. They aim to highlight foundational values like volunteerism that continue to shape international partnerships.
The peace corps panama program continues to adapt to local needs. Current volunteers focus on sustainable projects that communities themselves help to design and manage. This model ensures relevance and fosters long-term ownership of development goals.
Officials from both nations expressed a shared commitment to continuing this unique partnership. The event served as both a reflection on past achievements and a reaffirmation of future cooperation. For the peace corps and its Panamanian hosts, the next chapter of collaboration is already being written in communities across the country.