Barbados’ Ambassador to Panama, Amanda Martinez (left), in discussion with Panama’s President, José Raúl Mulino and Minister of Foreign Relations, Javier Martínez-Acha Vásquez at the Palacio de Las Garzas on Wednesday, July 23. (Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade)
Barbados’ new Ambassador to the Republic of Panama, Amanda Martinez, has presented her credentials to Panama’s President, José Raúl Mulino.
During the official ceremony at the Palacio de Las Garzas on Wednesday, July 23, Ambassador Martinez presented her Letters of Credence and offered greetings to the Panamanian President on behalf of the President of Barbados, Her Excellency The Most Honourable Dame Sandra Mason and Prime Minister of Barbados, Mia Amor Mottley.
Following the formal handover, Ambassador Martinez congratulated President Mulino on the Government of Panama’s milestones as his administration marked one year in office on July 1.
Joined by Panamanian Minister of Foreign Relations, Javier Martínez-Acha Vásquez, Ambassador Martinez and President Mulino engaged in a brief yet wide-ranging discussion addressing ways to enhance bilateral relations and to work more collaboratively as hemispheric partners.
The meeting highlighted Barbados and Panama’s deep ancestral ties, underlined current multilateral engagement, and examined opportunities for further collaboration in the areas of tourism, trade and investment, education, innovation and culture.
During the interaction, Ambassador Martinez raised key areas of interest for Barbados in Panama, including identifying new source markets for more affordable goods for Barbadians and expanding the current airlift service between the two countries.
Accessing new markets, growing bilateral trade and enhancing commercial and tourism partnerships will be a continued priority for the Embassy of Barbados in Panama, where the Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc. LATAM (BTMI LATAM) is also headquartered.
President Mulino shared his delight that Panama will participate in CARIFESTA XV in Barbados from August 22-31, 2025, with a delegation headed by Panama’s Minister of Culture, María Eugenia Herrera.
President Mulino expressed his interest in visiting Barbados in the year ahead, a sentiment echoed by Foreign Minister Martínez-Acha, underlining the importance Panama is placing on Barbados as a leader within the Caribbean Community (CARICOM).
The formal ceremony at the Presidential Palace followed Ambassador Martinez’s presentation of Copie d’Usage to and courtesy meeting with Foreign Minister Martínez-Acha, and Vice-Minister of Foreign Relations, Carlos A. Hoyos, on July 22, at the Palacio Bolivar.
While the establishment of formal diplomatic relations is relatively new, Barbados and Panama’s historical and cultural connections date back to the early 20th century with the migration of tens of thousands of Barbadian workers who were instrumental in the construction of the Panama Canal.
Although several generations removed, the Barbadian descendant community in Panama is small yet vibrant, with the Embassy of Barbados most recently engaging its members during its We Gatherin’ 2025 Genealogy Workshop, co-facilitated by the Division of Culture and the Barbados Museum & Historical Society on June 28.
In the years ahead, the Embassy of Barbados will seek to identify and connect with Barbadian descendants in Panama and to foster new educational and cultural partnerships, reaffirming our common bonds and shared priorities.
Source: https://gisbarbados.gov.bb/blog/ambassador-martinez-presents-credentials-to-panamas-president/
Author: Government of Barbados
