The Dominican Republic, Costa Rica and Panama They seek to become major trading partners with the United States, taking advantage of the reconfiguration of global supply chains.
The three Latin American countries detailed yesterday in a discussion on the Wilson Center’s Latin American program their objectives to promote democratic strengthening and economic growth.
Roberto Alvarez, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Dominican Republic, focused his participation on the close relocation (nearshoring, in English) and stated that the countries of the Alliance for Development in Democracy they have a lot to offer America.
“The three countries: Costa Rica, Panama, and the Dominican Republic have much to offer the United States as allies to strengthen this critical supply chain.”, the Dominican Foreign Minister guaranteed.
The Dominican Republic, Panama and Costa Rica belong to the 10 countries with the best economic growth prospects for this year, according to the forecasts of the Economic Commission for Latin America (ECLAC).
“If we were one country (the three territories) we would become the third business partner most important in the United States (in Latin America). Only surpassed by Mexico and Brazil ”, compared Álvarez during his presentation.
The COVID-19 pandemic caused a break in global supply chains in the face of measures taken by countries to slow the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. This led large companies to think regarding and accelerate the relocation of their companies in closer countries.
Signature of agreement
Rodolfo Solano, Foreign Minister of Costa Rica, revealed that at the third meeting of the Alliance for Development in Democracy a formal alliance with the United States is expected.
“We look forward to being able to present ourselves with a high level of representation in a very open conversation between our heads of state. And that we can identify five strategic areas to discuss, “said the minister.
Solano explained that the areas are regional leadership, migration and refugees, environmental aspects, security and the fight once morest corruption and, lastly, economic development. “These are the areas that can provide us with very good opportunities to establish a long-term agenda with a strategic alliance with the United States,” he added.
In the third meeting between the presidents Luis Abinader, of the Dominican Republic; Laurentino Cortizo, from Panama; and Carlos Alvarado, from Costa Rica, other countries in the region were invited. However, Solano did not offer details on who.
140,000
Migrants crossed the borders of Panama in 2021, Foreign Minister Erika Mouynes revealed.
The creation of the Alliance for Development in Democracy was highlighted by the President of the United States, Joe Biden, in the framework of the Summit for the Democracy held last December.
The migration
The migratory issue is also of importance for these three countries, assured the Panamanian Foreign Minister, Erika Mouynes. The minister explained that 8,000 migrants in 2020 crossed the border of Panama; while in 2021 the figure rose to 140,000 migrants.
“The number clearly exceeded our capacities to serve migrants,” acknowledged Mouynes, adding that most of the migrants came from the Caribbean region, specifically from Haiti. Erika Mouynes said that the increase in the migratory flow cannot be taken care of by one country.
“If we work together we can talk regarding security, and how to dismantle these criminal organizations that are benefiting from migration,” said Mouynes.
An important issue that the alliance between the Dominican Republic, Panama and Costa Rica is working on is the defense of democracy and its institutions. “Let me be very clear: democracy is under attack; let me be very clear: human rights are under attack; and let me be very clear: freedom of the press and of expression are under attack, ”said Rodolfo Solano. For the Foreign Minister of Costa Rica, the situation in the region requires intelligent and strategic responses, with a call to action. Solano said that the Alliance for Development in Democracy represents an example that you can go from words to actions. “There is enormous concern regarding the process of democratic changes in the region,” he added.
