Washington DC, 28 June 2022 (TDI): The United States Secretary, Antony J. Blinken, spoke with Panamanian President Laurentino Cortizo.
The U.S. Department of State spokesperson, Ned Price, shared these details in an official statement.
In addition, Secretary Blinken expressed his support and best wishes on behalf of President Biden as President Cortizo travels to the United States for further care regarding his health challenges.
Today, @SecBlinken spoke with @NitoCortizo to express support given President Cortizo’s recent medical diagnosis. https://t.co/In8H919I6i
— Ned Price (@StateDeptSpox) June 28, 2022
President Cortizo’s Diagnosis
Earlier, President Cortizo shared the news of his diagnosis with myelodysplastic syndrome. A rare type of blood cancer impairs the body’s capacity to produce healthy blood cells in the bone marrow.
In the meantime, the President would be seeking a second medical opinion regarding his diagnosis from specialists in Houston, Texas.
For this purpose, he will travel to the U.S. after giving his annual state of the union speech at Panama’s National Assembly on July 1st.
Hago de conocimiento público, que siguiendo recomendaciones médicas, el 1 de julio de 2022, posterior al Informe a la Nación, estaré viajando a Texas para una evaluación especializada, luego que me fuera diagnosticado un síndrome mielodisplásico de riesgo intermedio.
— Nito Cortizo (@NitoCortizo) June 20, 2022
Panama-US Relations
Following the call with President Laurentino Cortizo, the Secretary stated that the United States and Panama are close partners supporting each other during good and challenging times.
The United States and Panama are close partners that support each other during both good and difficult times. Today I spoke with President @NitoCortizo to share well-wishes from myself and @POTUS.
— Secretary Antony Blinken (@SecBlinken) June 28, 2022
The U.S. extended diplomatic relations with the Republic of Panama following its independence from Colombia in 1903.
In addition, Panama’s location and role in international trade make it vital to the USA’s economic and national prosperity.
Also, Panama and the United States of America are pursuing a respectful diplomatic relationship mainly centered on bilateral collaboration on financial concerns and regional security.
