In a significant diplomatic engagement, Premier Mark Brantley of Nevis welcomed Her Excellency Xiomara Perez, Panama’s Ambassador to Barbados and St. Kitts and Nevis, for an official courtesy call at his Pinneys Estate office on March 27, 2026. The meeting marked a pivotal moment in bilateral relations between the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis and the Republic of Panama.
Ambassador Perez, who recently presented her credentials to Governor-General Dame Marcella Liburd in St. Kitts, emphasized the need to bridge the people-to-people connection gap between the nations. “We don’t truly know each other,” she acknowledged, “and this visit serves to strengthen our bilateral relations through enhanced cooperation in commercial, tourism, logistics, and agricultural sectors.”
Premier Brantley, who concurrently serves as Minister of Tourism, highlighted the historical ties dating back to the Panama Canal construction era. “Our forefathers contributed to building the Panama Canal, creating an enduring bond between our peoples,” he stated. “We anticipate developing, deepening, and strengthening our relations with Panama moving forward.”
The diplomatic exchange featured the traditional swapping of gift packages symbolizing their respective territories. Both parties engaged in substantive discussions exploring potential collaborations in trade, connectivity, and other mutually beneficial areas. Ambassador Perez expressed particular interest in Nevis’s agricultural advancements, recognizing the island’s impressive progress in this sector.