What Happened
Government and state leaders from the region visited the Cocolí Locks at the Panama Canal during their stay in Panama for the 2026 Latin America and Caribbean Economic Forum organized by CAF. An official photograph of the delegation was taken at the locks, which were inaugurated in 2016 and mark ten years in operation.
Who Attended
The visit was led by the President of the Republic of Panama, José Raúl Mulino. The delegation included the President of Brazil, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva; the President of Bolivia, Rodrigo Paz; the President of Colombia, Gustavo Petro; the President of Ecuador, Daniel Noboa; the President of Guatemala, Bernardo Arévalo; the Prime Minister of Jamaica, Andrew Holness; and the President-elect of Chile, José Antonio Kast. The Executive President of the Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean, Sergio Díaz-Granados, also participated.
Canal Briefing and Topics Covered
The leaders were welcomed by the Minister for Canal Affairs, José Ramón Icaza, and the Administrator of the Panama Canal, Ricaurte Vásquez Morales. During the visit they received a comprehensive briefing on the operation of the Cocolí Locks, their historical significance, and recent advances in water sustainability, operational efficiency, and technological innovation at the canal.
Background
The Cocolí Locks were opened in 2016 as part of the Panama Canal Expansion. Their operation over the last decade has significantly increased the canal’s capacity and remains a key element in Panama Canal Authority efforts to serve global maritime trade and international commerce.
What This Means
The delegation’s visit underscores the Panama Canal’s role as a platform for logistics and trade integration in Latin America and the Caribbean. The stop at the canal was tied directly to the broader discussions at the CAF-organized forum, where regional leaders are addressing shared economic, climate and geopolitical challenges. Officials framed the canal both as critical infrastructure for trade and as a locus for discussions on sustainability and technological improvement in regional logistics.
The visit, photo opportunity and briefings reaffirm Panama’s position at the center of maritime trade in the Americas at a moment when regional cooperation and infrastructure resilience are central to economic discussions.