Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino inaugurated the Roberto Mariano Bula sports stadium in Colón on Friday, March 13, 2026. The event doubled as a political rally where the president defended his administration’s record and sharply criticized previous governments for mismanagement.
The stadium’s delivery concludes a nine year wait for the province. It will officially open with the inaugural game of the 2026 National Major Baseball Championship between Colón and Chiriquí. This marks a significant upgrade for professional sports infrastructure in the region.
A Project Marked by Delays and Cost Overruns
Construction on the coliseum began in 2017 as part of the Colón Sports Renewal program. The original contract with the Colón 2017 Consortium was valued at $15.5 million. Multiple contract addendums over the years extended deadlines and inflated the final cost to an estimated $36 million.
During his inauguration speech, President Mulino framed the prolonged construction as a failure of past leadership rather than a lack of funds. He directly accused prior officials of diverting public money.
“For years, what was a hope and a dream for thousands of people from Colón was left abandoned. It was not for lack of resources, it was a moral problem, a problem of ethics, of managing public resources,” Mulino said. [Translated from Spanish]
The president argued the national debt accrued by the previous administration could have built hundreds of similar facilities. He promised his government would be different, focusing on tangible results over empty promises.
Political Theater and a Hall of Fame First Pitch
The ceremony transcended a simple ribbon cutting. Mulino’s address was punctuated by boasts about his administration’s work and jabs at his critics. He repeatedly thanked the voters of Colón Province, Panama for providing the electoral support that secured his presidency.
“My management is not blah, blah, blah. It is concrete work. And if someone doesn’t like it, they don’t have to. I am here to fulfill my promises directly, head on, and with the truth in hand,” Mulino proclaimed. [Translated from Spanish]
The sporting highlight came when Baseball Hall of Famer Mariano Rivera threw the ceremonial first pitch. His participation symbolized the stadium’s new status as a premier venue for Panamanian baseball.
Mulino also used the platform to honor a roster of Panamanian sports legends. He listed figures like Humberto Robinson, Héctor López, and Bobby Prescott, connecting the new facility to the nation’s athletic heritage.
Economic Promises and a Parting Shot
Government officials project the stadium will create 350 direct jobs and more than 3,000 indirect positions. Mulino also noted the nearby Armando Dely Valdés stadium is nearing completion, suggesting a continued focus on provincial development projects.
His closing remarks left no doubt about the day’s underlying political message. He told the crowd to ignore what he called empty talkers and to trust only leaders who deliver on their pledges.
“Let it burn whoever it burns. Do not be fooled. Do not be led by the eternal talkers of nonsense. Only those who fulfill their promises have the moral authority to come and deliver the works they promised. A big hug. God bless Colón,” Mulino concluded. [Translated from Spanish]
The inauguration of the Roberto Mariano Bula stadium fulfills a long standing promise to the people of Colón. It simultaneously provides the Mulino administration with a concrete achievement to showcase ahead of future electoral contests, framing his tenure as one of action versus the alleged inaction of the past.