What Happened
Paraguay has reaffirmed its support for Panama as the host country of the 56th General Assembly of the Organization of American States, set for June 22 to 24 in Panama City. The endorsement was confirmed during a working visit by Panama’s foreign minister, Javier Martínez-Acha, to Asunción.
In a joint statement signed by Martínez-Acha and Paraguay’s foreign minister, Rubén Ramírez, Paraguay reiterated its backing for the unanimous OAS decision adopted last July to hold the organization’s ordinary session in Panama in 2026.
Why Panama Matters as Host
The OAS General Assembly is one of the most important diplomatic gatherings in the region, bringing together member states to debate hemispheric priorities, institutional matters, and political issues affecting the Americas. For Panama, hosting the meeting reinforces its role as a regional diplomatic hub and places the country at the center of multilateral discussions in 2026.
Panama City’s selection also aligns with the country’s broader profile as a strategic crossroads for regional connectivity, logistics, and international dialogue. That position has long given Panama added weight in meetings involving trade, cooperation, and diplomacy across the Americas.
Trade and Economic Cooperation
Beyond the OAS meeting, both governments highlighted the need to move forward with bilateral economic complementarity and measures that support trade facilitation. The two countries also expressed interest in encouraging closer ties between public and private companies.
Officials described Panama as a strategic platform for commercial exchange and a regional center for logistics and connectivity. That framing underscores how diplomatic ties between the two countries are also being tied to practical economic opportunities.
Security Cooperation and the Visit Agenda
The statement also emphasized a shared commitment to fighting transnational organized crime and the importance of deepening bilateral cooperation in that area. The issue remains central for countries across Latin America, where trafficking networks and cross-border criminal activity continue to drive regional coordination efforts.
Martínez-Acha is scheduled to remain in Paraguay through Sunday, with a full agenda of meetings and activities. One of the planned engagements is a Friday meeting with directors and business leaders from the Unión Industrial Paraguaya, one of the country’s largest employer groups.
The visit reflects Panama’s effort to pair diplomatic outreach with economic and security cooperation as it prepares to welcome the OAS General Assembly later this year.