Secretary of State Marco Rubio recently attended a meet and greet with employees and families at the U.S. Embassy in Panama City. During his first visit to Panama as Secretary of State, Rubio expressed appreciation for the work being done by embassy staff and emphasized the importance of their role in representing the United States abroad.
In his opening remarks, Mr. Barrett welcomed Secretary Rubio to Panama, highlighting the strong relationship between the U.S. and Panama despite past challenges. He commended the embassy team for their efforts in enhancing security partnerships and reducing migrant numbers through initiatives like a memorandum of understanding (MOU) that has significantly decreased migrant flow through the Darién region.
"We’re making things safer, stronger for America," Barrett said, acknowledging the achievements in narcotics seizures and U.S. investments in Panama's energy sector.
Secretary Rubio engaged with attendees humorously, asking if they were displeased about working on a Sunday and jokingly suggesting a young attendee named Teo could be a future president or secretary of state.
Rubio expressed gratitude for the diplomatic corps, describing it as "the greatest diplomatic corps in the history of the world." He noted that prosperous countries contribute to global safety and prosperity, underscoring Panama's status as one of America's strongest economic partners in the hemisphere.
During his address, Rubio thanked those who ensure safety at embassies, including Diplomatic Security personnel and Marines. He acknowledged locally employed staff from Panama who assist with embassy operations.
Rubio also recognized long-serving employees such as Mabel Camarena and Mirtha for their decades-long commitment to embassy service. He emphasized his interest in learning from staff experiences to improve conditions at posts worldwide.
The event concluded with Secretary Rubio inviting insights from attendees on how to enhance productivity and support for embassy personnel and their families during their postings abroad.