Panama Proposes Summit to Discuss Venezuelan Political Crisis

Panamanian President Jose Raul Mulino plans to host a summit with 17 Latin American presidents to address Venezuela's political situation following a contested election. He seeks U.S. support and aims for a joint declaration for a peaceful resolution. Both Presidential candidates in Venezuela claim victory, leading to electoral disputes.

Panamanian President Jose Raul Mulino announced plans to host a summit involving 17 Latin American presidents to tackle the political turmoil in Venezuela after last month's disputed election.

Making the announcement on X, Mulino instructed his foreign minister to coordinate the summit, seeking United States' backing for the initiative in a meeting with U.S. Southern Command General Laura Richardson and U.S. Ambassador to Panama Mari Carmen Aponte.

The summit aims to issue a joint declaration advocating for a peaceful resolution in Venezuela, where both current President Nicolas Maduro and opposition candidate Edmundo Gonzalez have declared victory. Discrepancies in the vote count remain unresolved, intensifying the conflict.

(With inputs from agencies.)