Panamanian President Jose Raul Mulino confirmed plans for a new international trip during a public infrastructure event on Thursday. The president will visit Switzerland and the United Kingdom next week for a series of official state meetings. This marks the nineteenth foreign journey of his administration, which began in July 2024.
Mulino made the announcement while inaugurating a major highway interchange in the city of Chitré. He stated the diplomatic visits would address matters of national importance, though he did not provide a detailed itinerary for the European tour. The trip continues a pattern of frequent international engagement since he took office.
“We will address state topics,” Mulino said regarding the upcoming travel. [Translated from Spanish]
The president’s immediate focus, however, remained on the newly opened domestic project. Officials designed the three-level interchange to improve traffic flow and safety at a critical regional intersection. Its construction required a public investment of 44.5 million dollars.
New Interchange Aims to Ease Traffic in Azuero Region
Mulino framed the Chitré interchange as a transformative project for the entire Azuero Peninsula. He estimated the infrastructure would benefit more than 200,000 residents across the Herrera and Los Santos provinces. The region has struggled with increasing vehicular congestion, particularly during large cultural events.
A major test for the new road system arrives in just over a week. The president directly linked the interchange’s opening to the upcoming Desfile de las Mil Polleras, a massive traditional parade scheduled for January 17. He expressed hope the design would prevent the severe traffic jams historically associated with the festival.
“We are going to test this interchange in eight days, so cross your fingers that this does not get clogged. I am not responsible,” Mulino told the audience with a note of humor. [Translated from Spanish]
He confirmed he would not attend the parade personally due to his international travel commitments. His wife and daughters are expected to represent the family at the cultural event. First Lady Maricel Cohen de Mulino joined the president and local authorities for the interchange inauguration ceremony.
The project represents a significant capital investment in Panama’s interior regions. For residents, its success will be measured by daily commute times and the experience during the large January festival. All eyes will be on Chitré’s traffic patterns next Friday.
President President of Panama Jose Raul Mulino’s dual focus on domestic infrastructure and foreign diplomacy highlights his administration’s broad priorities. The week ahead will see the practical launch of a key regional project followed immediately by high-level talks in European capitals. Government officials will monitor both the interchange’s performance and the outcomes of the state visits abroad.