The U.S. Embassy in Panama and the Colon Chamber of Commerce, Agriculture, and Industry have opened the Colon American Center in Colon. The center is located at the headquarters of the Colon Chamber of Commerce and will provide educational activities, including entrepreneurship programs and English language resources. The initiative aims to support opportunities for residents of Colon as part of broader efforts to promote regional prosperity.
Ambassador Kevin Marino Cabrera and María Ramos, President of the Colón Chamber of Commerce, led the inauguration ceremony. “Under President Trump’s leadership, the United States has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening our partnership and cooperation with Panama, promoting shared prosperity and American investment in regions such as Colón,” stated the U.S. Ambassador Kevin Marino Cabrera at the inauguration. “This center will serve as a hub of educational and cultural exchange, reinforcing the ties between our countries and our communities.”
The new center is part of the American Spaces program by the U.S. Department of State, which operates more than 600 locations across 140 countries. This marks the second American Space in Panama; the first was established at the City of Knowledge in 2022.
In her remarks, President of the Colon Chamber of Commerce Maria Ramos said, “The inauguration of the Colón American Center represents a historic moment for our institution. It reaffirms the bonds of cooperation between the Colón Chamber of Commerce and the United States and marks a new chapter of opportunities for our community. We are deeply proud to host this space, which will bring education, culture, and global connection to our city.”
During his visit to Colon, Ambassador Cabrera also toured Manzanillo International Terminal—a facility operated by SSA Marine from the United States that employs over 1,200 people locally—and met with alumni from U.S.-sponsored exchange programs. He also explored parts of Colon with business leader Michael Chen and entrepreneur Jennifer Ceballos.
Community members can find information about future events or workshops at @colonamericancenter on Instagram.