Panama: Chavez Visit Will Be Historic
Panamanian non-governmental organization leaders, teachers and union members stated Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez´ next visit to Panama will be historic.

University of Panama Philosophy teacher Iris Hinostroza asserted the nation is preparing well to celebrate the 180th anniversary of the Anfictionico Congress called by Simon Bolivar on June 22, 1826.

"It will be a happy coincidence to honor such an emblematic date, which is part of the integration ideals of Liberator Simon Bolivar, with the presence of Chavez, who is spearheading an encouraging Bolivarian Revolution," Hinostroza said.

She said she was a clear paradigm of Latin American solidarity, especially that of Cuba and Venezuela, as she was operated on under the Operation Miracle.

"I was supposed to pay seven thousand dollars in Panama to be operated on given a problem in my eyelids. I travelled to Cuba and a great medical assistance worked miracles and I finally recovered," she noted.

Bruce A Codrington, chairman of the NGO "Rescate Juvenil Afropanameño," described Chavez´ future presence in Panama as a breakthrough arousing people´s interests.

"Chavez has been able to establish cooperation tools with the middle and lower classes in Venezuela, capitalizes on the nation´s resources and helps world nations," Codrington said.

Diego Blanco, a member of the union "Frente Nacional por la Defensa de los Derechos Economicos y Sociales" asserted legacy and lectures of the Anfictionico Congress are paramount for Latin America.

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez will develop a tight agenda in his official visit to Panama on June 22, and will meet with Panamanian counterpart Martin Torrijos.