U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Visits Panama

February 29, 2012

U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security, Janet Napolitano signing of three agreements with Minister of Public Security José Raul Mulino.

U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security, Janet Napolitano during her remarks.

U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security, Janet Napolitano, visits Panama today on the last leg of her three day trip to Mexico and Central America. The purpose of her visit is to meet with Panamanian counterparts and discuss the United States government’s efforts to facilitate legal travel and trade, enhance information sharing and work to ensure a more safe, secure and resilient global supply chain. She is accompanied by U.S. Customs and Border Protection Acting Commissioner David Aguilar and U.S. Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary for International Affairs Alan Bersin.

The agenda includes meetings with President Ricardo Martinelli and the signing of three agreements with Minister of Public Security José Raul Mulino. She will also give remarks about regional security cooperation at the Central America Border Management Seminar taking place this week in Panama.

The agreements include one on the Global Entry Program, which expedites entry into the United States by Panamanian citizens that meet all the requirements established by program. The second agreement addresses the United States and Panama’s commitment to secure the global supply chain, by increasing collaboration to better facilitate legal travel and trade.  The third agreement addresses the shared commitment to combat against Trafficking in Persons, by increased information sharing, joint investigations and criminalization of these acts so criminal organizations profiting from this punishable activity across borders can be identified and dismantled.

“We are committed to engaging with our partners around the world—including here in Central America—on efforts to bolster aviation, border and maritime security, combat transnational criminal organizations, and improve disaster preparedness and response,” said Secretary Napolitano. “Today, we’re strengthening our partnership with Panama by reaffirming the commitment of both Panama and the United States to secure the global supply chain against terrorist attacks and other illicit uses.”

Janet Napolitano is the third Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security. Prior to becoming Secretary, Napolitano was in her second term as Governor of Arizona and was recognized as a national leader on homeland security, border security and immigration. She was the first woman to chair the National Governors Association and was named one of the top five governors in the country by Time Magazine. Napolitano was also the first female Attorney General of Arizona and served as U.S. Attorney for the District of Arizona. Napolitano was born in New York City and grew up in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.