Panama has formally pressed the United States to endorse the principle of regional rotation in selecting the next United Nations secretary-general, arguing that the post should go to a candidate from Latin America or the Caribbean when incumbent António Guterres completes his second term on 31 December 2026. The push came during a telephone conversation between Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Tuesday, 28 October, according to statements issued by both governments.

What Panama Is Asking For

President Mulino emphasised that Latin American and Caribbean nations want the UN leadership selection process to honour the long-standing, unwritten practice of rotating the organisation's top post among geographical regions. He argued that the region has not held the position in recent decades and that it is now its turn. Panama's Foreign Ministry said the two leaders agreed on the importance of reaching broad international consensus around a candidate capable of leading the multilateral body.

Washington's Position Remains Unclear

The US State Department confirmed that Rubio and Mulino discussed the secretary-general election but stopped short of disclosing Washington's stance on the regional rotation proposal. Neither government announced an endorsement of any specific candidate, nor did they issue a joint position. The ambiguity is notable: US support — or its absence — could carry significant weight in Security Council deliberations, where permanent members hold veto power over the appointment.

Earthquake Relief Also on the Agenda

The diplomatic call covered a second pressing issue: Panama's recovery from the 9 October earthquake. Rubio reaffirmed Washington's commitment to supporting reconstruction efforts, with the State Department noting that American assistance — including food, water, communications equipment, logistical support, and urban search-and-rescue teams — had reached affected communities within 24 hours of the disaster. Mulino thanked the United States for the humanitarian response and the deployment of personnel to assess structural damage.

Broader Diplomatic Context

The conversation also touched on the state of democracy in the region, though neither government disclosed specific concerns or initiatives on that front. The State Department characterised the call as reaffirming a strengthening bilateral partnership between Washington and Panama City. This comes amid wider diplomatic activity as UN member states prepare to navigate what could be a competitive succession process. Latin America and the Caribbean have increasingly sought greater representation in senior international positions, and the region's push for the secretary-general post reflects that longer-running agenda. Notably, the last Latin American to hold the post was Peru's Javier Pérez de Cuéllar, whose tenure ended in 1991 — over three decades ago.

What Comes Next

With Guterres's term set to expire at the close of 2026, the Security Council and General Assembly will need to move toward a formal selection in the coming months. Panama's diplomatic outreach to Washington signals that regional blocs are already positioning themselves ahead of that process. Whether the US ultimately backs the rotation principle — or supports a candidate from outside Latin America — will likely shape the trajectory of the contest.