Panamanian President Jose Raul Mulino will travel to San Jose this Friday for an official state visit with Costa Rican counterpart Rodrigo Chaves Robles. The two leaders will meet to strengthen diplomatic, commercial, and cooperative ties between the neighboring nations during a series of high level meetings.
Mulino will arrive with a substantial delegation including his wife, First Lady Maricel Cohen de Mulino, and key cabinet ministers. The visit will represent Mulino’s first official trip to Costa Rica since assuming the presidency in July 2024. Both governments are expected to emphasize the importance of maintaining strong bilateral relations during this new administration.
Official Ceremonies and Diplomatic Honors
The centerpiece of the diplomatic agenda will feature a private meeting between Mulino and Chaves, to be held within the historic National Theatre of Costa Rica. Following their discussions, President Chaves will formally decorate Mulino with Costa Rica’s prestigious Juan Mora Fernandez National Order. This award recognizes foreign dignitaries for exceptional service to the Central American nation.
Panama’s presidential couple will also sign the distinguished visitors book at the theater, a traditional diplomatic gesture.
Parallel Programs for First Ladies
While the presidents conduct official business, First Lady Maricel Cohen will participate in a separate agenda alongside Costa Rica’s First Lady Signe Zeikate. Their program will include a cultural visit to the National Museum of Costa Rica, highlighting the importance of cultural exchange within the bilateral relationship.
The museum visit will provide an opportunity for the first ladies to discuss social initiatives and cultural preservation efforts. Such parallel programs are standard protocol during state visits, allowing for broader engagement between nations.
Expanded Delegation Meetings
Both presidential teams will reconvene for an extended working lunch at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Costa Rica headquarters. This session will allow technical teams to address specific bilateral matters beyond the presidential dialogue. The Panamanian delegation will include Foreign Minister Javier Martinez-Acha, Commerce and Industries Minister Julio Molto, and Agricultural Development Minister Roberto Linares.
Costa Rica’s representation will feature Foreign Minister Arnoldo Andre Tinoco, Foreign Trade Minister Manuel Tovar Rivera, and Agriculture Minister Victor Carvajal Porras. Vice Minister for Bilateral Affairs and Cooperation Lydia Peralta Cordero is also scheduled to participate in the expanded meetings.
Strengthening Regional Partnerships
The visit will occur amid ongoing regional efforts to enhance economic integration and address shared challenges like migration and security. Both Panama and Costa Rica play crucial roles in Central American affairs and maintain significant trade relationships. The discussions are expected to cover cross border infrastructure, agricultural trade protocols, and tourism initiatives.
President Mulino’s delegation will include Ambassador to Costa Rica Pacifico Escalona and Kristelle Getzler, Executive Secretary for Economic and Competitive Affairs at the Presidency Ministry. This comprehensive representation will enable detailed technical discussions across multiple sectors.
The Panamanian delegation will return home Friday evening following the condensed official visit. Working groups from both governments are expected to continue implementing agreements reached during the presidential summit, with future collaboration focused on practical outcomes that benefit citizens in both neighboring countries.