Spain’s Secretary of State for Ibero-America and the Caribbean, Susana Sumelzo, paid an official visit to the Panama Canal as part of an institutional agenda focused on strengthening cooperation and gaining a closer understanding of the operation of one of the world’s most strategic trade routes.
During the visit, Sumelzo was received at the Miraflores Locks by Minister for Canal Affairs José Ramón Icaza and was accompanied by Spain’s Ambassador to Panama, Guzmán Palacios Fernández. The delegation also toured the Cocolí Neopanamax Locks, where they learned more about the operational capabilities of the expanded Canal and the infrastructure developed through Panamanian expertise.
As part of the tour, the Spanish official observed the transit of Neopanamax vessels, which account for more than half of the cargo moving through the waterway. She also received a detailed briefing on the Canal’s progress in efficiency, sustainability, and innovation, all of which continue to support its competitiveness in global maritime trade.
According to the Panama Canal Authority, Spain ranks among the top 15 users of the Panama Canal by cargo volume, underlining the strategic importance of the visit in the context of strengthening bilateral ties and deepening mutual understanding in logistics and trade matters.
