Panama reiterated its willingness to serve as a neutral venue for a possible dialogue between the United States and Cuba, with the aim of facilitating an approach that allows for a reduction of tensions between Washington and Havana.
The proposal comes after several months of communication between both governments, whose authorities publicly disagree on the extent of those discussions.
According to a report this Thursday from the agency EFE, the Panamanian Foreign Minister, Javier Martínez-Acha Vásquez, expressed his country's interest in hosting possible diplomatic meetings, after President José Raúl Mulino's government presented the initiative once again on Wednesday before the United Nations.
“We would like to see an opportunity for dialogue between Cuba and the United States,” stated the Panamanian chancellor, who advocated for the possibility of his country contributing to the creation of favorable conditions for détente.
Martínez-Acha believed that Panama's diplomatic experience could prove valuable in bringing together two governments that have significant political differences.
«Panama, with its tradition and history of understanding, could be a space for those conversations. Perhaps a neutral position could allow for progress», he stated.
The chancellor insisted that the initiative will depend on the willingness of Washington and Havana, without presenting the offer as an agreement that has already been reached.
"If both countries wish to, they must be willing to engage in conversation," he added.
The statements were made during the official visit to Panama by German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul, on a day marked by the repercussions of the recent debate about Cuba in the UN General Assembly.
The Panamanian proposal came back into the spotlight after the vote held on Wednesday, October 28, when the United Nations approved a resolution calling for the end of the economic, commercial, and financial embargo imposed by the United States on Cuba.
The text received 130 votes in favor, 17 against, and 25 abstentions, a result that indicated a decline in international support for the Cuban initiative compared to the previous year.
The resolution, presented annually by Havana since 1992, is not binding and its approval does not require Washington to amend the existing sanctions.
During its intervention at the United Nations, Panama advocated for dialogue as a tool to overcome differences between nations and promote international cooperation.
However, his willingness to facilitate conversations did not signify an unconditional support for the Cuban government.
Panamanian authorities also urged Havana to strengthen its democratic institutions, ensure respect for human rights, and promote civic participation.
The offer is not new. On June 22, Panama had already expressed its willingness to mediate between the United States and Cuba during the General Assembly of the Organization of American States (OAS) held in the Panamanian capital.
On that occasion, Martínez-Acha stated that he had discussed the possibility of a dialogue with Miguel Díaz-Canel and with the Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla, and he affirmed that the authorities in Havana had accepted the proposal.
“Cubans accepted, the United States has not accepted, but they do see it as a possibility,” the Panamanian minister stated at that time.
Four months later, the new statement once again raises the availability of the Central American country as a potential meeting point.
The new offer from Panama comes as the United States and Cuba maintain differences regarding the extent of the contacts they have held in recent months.
On October 7, the U.S. Department of State assured that talks with the Cuban regime were ongoing, but held the island's authorities responsible for the lack of agreements.
"In reality, the conversations continue, and so far, the regime has not been willing to reach any agreement that would help the Cuban people and that, ultimately, would threaten its total control," noted Washington.
The U.S. response came after Lianys Torres Rivera, head of the Cuban Embassy in Washington, stated that both governments maintained communication channels, but no formal negotiations.
The diplomat acknowledged the existence of contacts through meetings, phone calls, and messages, although she stated that there was still no negotiating agenda.
The Cuban position was reiterated on October 16 by Tanieris Diéguez, Deputy Chief of Mission at the Cuban Embassy in the United States, who acknowledged exchanges with U.S. representatives but dismissed any progress toward formal dialogue.
"We have had a group of contacts, but we really do not see any progress towards a serious dialogue, which is what we are willing to pursue," stated Diéguez.
The official assured that Havana is willing to engage in talks without preconditions, although she insisted that it will not accept questions regarding its political system or its so-called constitutional order.
From Washington, Secretary of State Marco Rubio had expressed a different position on September 23 when he stated that the United States was willing to contribute to a political and economic transformation in Cuba, but he noted that the regime's representatives appeared to be "quite intransigent."
Rubio suggested that any process of change should include political and economic freedoms, while Cuban officials have insisted on excluding their power structure from the discussions.
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