Panamanian President Jose Raul Mulino will travel to Chile in March 2026 for the inauguration of President-elect Jose Antonio Kast. The two leaders agreed to relaunch bilateral relations during a phone call on Monday, December 15, 2025.
Mulino accepted a formal invitation from Kast to attend the swearing-in ceremony. The Panamanian president was accompanied by Foreign Minister Javier Martinez Acha during the diplomatic conversation, according to an official statement from the Presidency of Panama.
Focus on Shared Interests and Future Visits
President Mulino emphasized the common ground between the two nations. He specifically noted Chile’s status as a primary user of the Panama Canal. This shared economic interest makes revitalizing relations a priority for both administrations.
“Panama and Chile have much in common, being one of the principal users of the Canal, so the mutual interest in relaunching relations during their terms takes on great importance,” Mulino said. [Translated from Spanish]
Kast, who has never visited Panama, extended an open invitation for a future trip. He suggested a visit could occur after his March inauguration. The call followed Kast’s electoral victory in Chile’s runoff presidential election just one day earlier.
Kast’s Victory Sets Stage for New Diplomacy
According to preliminary data from Chile’s Electoral Service of Chile, the 59-year-old former right-wing congressman secured 58.18 percent of the vote. His opponent, leftist candidate and former minister Jeannette Jara, received 41.82 percent. Jara served in the outgoing administration of President Gabriel Boric.
The election results mark a significant political shift in Chile. Kast’s upcoming presidency is poised to reshape the country’s foreign policy engagements. His direct outreach to Mulino indicates an early focus on relationships within the Americas.
For Panama, the confirmed trip underscores Mulino’s active diplomatic agenda. Engaging with a newly elected presidente electo in a major South American economy aligns with broader strategic goals. The conversation suggests both leaders see immediate value in strengthening ties.
Official plans for the March inauguration trip are now underway. The visit will provide the first face-to-face meeting between Mulino and Kast. It sets a collaborative tone for the next chapter of Panama-Chile relations.