Panama Offers Its Territory for US-Cuba Talks
Panama is offering to host possible dialogue between Washington and Havana amid the UN debate over the U.S. embargo on Cuba.
Key points
- Panama proposes its territory as a venue for possible dialogue between the United States and Cuba.
- Foreign Minister Javier Martínez-Acha Vásquez expressed the hope that such an opportunity will open.
- The UN General Assembly passed a resolution calling for an end to the U.S. embargo on Cuba, with 130 votes in favor, 17 against, and 25 abstentions.
Panama has offered to host possible dialogue between the United States and Cuba. The Panamanian government argues that a neutral position could help both countries move toward détente.
Panama's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Javier Martínez-Acha Vásquez, expressed the hope that an opportunity for conversation between Havana and Washington will open up. The proposal was made by the government of President José Raúl Mulino on Wednesday at the UN. The foreign minister reiterated it this Thursday during the official visit to Panama of his German counterpart, Johann Wadephul.
The foreign minister said that Panama, given its tradition and its history of mediation, could serve as a venue for those conversations, provided both countries want it and are willing to talk.
At the same time, Panama called on Cuban authorities to strengthen democratic institutions, guarantee respect for human rights, and promote citizen participation.
The offer comes after the UN General Assembly approved a resolution introduced by Cuba calling for an end to the U.S. embargo. The vote was 130 in favor, 17 against, and 25 abstentions. The text, titled "Necessity of ending the economic, commercial and financial embargo imposed by the United States of America against Cuba," is non-binding. Cuba has introduced it since 1992, and the embargo has been in force since February 3, 1962.