Pence meets with Juan Carlos Varela, Panamanians protest

Thursday August 17th the President of Panama Juan Carlos Varela met with Vice president Mike Pence, at the forefront of the conversation was the recent attacks that occurred in Spain that morning.

Both presidents began their address with condolences to those affected, condemning the acts of violence that occurred.

PRESIDENT VARELA:  (As interpreted.)  Good afternoon.  I would like to begin by energetically condemning the terrorist act that occurred today in Barcelona.  We share the pain of the people and of the Spanish government.  And we raise our prayers to the victims and their family members.

VICE PRESIDENT PENCE:  Thank you, President Varela.  It’s an honor to be with you today.
 
Before I begin, allow me to take a moment to again address the horrific terror attack today in Barcelona, Spain.
 
This is a tragic day, and the latest scenes of carnage and mayhem sicken us all.  As President Trump said earlier today, “The United States condemns this terrorist attack… and we will do whatever is necessary to help.”  The people of Barcelona should know:  Our prayers and the prayers of all the American people are with the victims, their families, and all the good people of Spain. 
 
This latest attack, the worst terror attack on Spanish soil since the 2004 Madrid train bombings, shows us again that radical Islamic terrorism is one of the greatest threats that we face today.
 
ISIS has taken credit for this barbaric attack, but whoever is responsible should know that the United States of America, together with our allies, will find and punish those responsible and drive the evil of radical Islamic terror from the face of the Earth.

Also among the topics discussed by Pence and Varela was a joint effort to restore democracy in Venezuela, a topic which caused protests in Panama by groups opposed to U.S. military intervention in the region.

A statement issued by the Canal Institute of International Studies of the University of Panama, said: “ The hidden reason for the visit to Panama of US Vice President Mike Pence is to drum up support for military intervention in Venezuela.”

While Pence did not confirm or dismiss military intervention in any of his meetings with Latin American leaders his approach in Panama was noticeably softer than the stance taken in Colombia among other Latin American nations.

Rather than making statements like: “President Trump is a leader who says what he means, and means what he says.” when asked about the possibility of military intervention in Venezuela he opted to say that he was sure the United States, with its allies in Latin America, would find a peaceful solution to the situation in Venezuela.

In regards to actions, Panama would take to aid in the effort to restore democracy in Venezuela Juan Carlos Varela said he would announce "new measures including immigration actions" against Venezuela in the coming days.

Protestors in Panama 

Yesterday protesters took to the streets to make the message clear that they would not accept military intervention. Two students from the University of Panama were arrested during the protest which includes around 50 people, among them workers and members of several social organizations and students. Protestors burned an effigy showing Pence's face along with the president’s Juan Carlos Varela. Protestors also carried banners condemning the U.S. invasion in 1989. A sentiment that has been revived by the possibility of U.S. military intervention in Venezuela.