The president of Panama distances himself from the MPs' trips to Taiwan

The President of Panama, José Raúl Mulino, clarified that the recent trips and institutional exchanges of members of the National Assembly with Taiwan do not represent an official government decision. Through his social channels, the head of state clearly distanced himself from the initiatives undertaken by the deputies, reaffirming the prerogatives of his administration.

“The approaches, travel and exchanges of Assembly members with Taiwan do not mean that the Executive endorses them,” Mulino declared. The president also stressed that the conduct of international relations and Panamanian foreign policy falls exclusively to the government and not to the legislative body.

The ruling takes on strong relevance as Panama severed its official ties with Taipei on June 13, 2017 to establish formal relations with the People's Republic of China.