Congress in Panama - the international congress of 1826, held in the city of Panama from June 22 to July 15, the participants of which were supposed to resolve disputes between young Latin American states, establish cooperation between them and adopt a joint declaration on the support of Latin American countries for independence and democracy.
Member Countries
The Congress was attended by representatives of the Republic of Colombia , Peru , the Federal Republic of Central America and Mexico .
Chile refused to participate in Congress. The United Provinces of Rio de La Plata did not participate due to the loss of Upper Peru , as well as in protest against the Monroe Doctrine announced by the United States. The Brazilian empire , which at that time was at war with the United Provinces of Rio de La Plata, also did not send delegates. Paraguay was not invited to Congress.
Representatives of the United Kingdom and the United States were also invited to the Congress as observers. The British representative was present, but the United States could not send a delegate for internal reasons: although President John Adams and Secretary of State Henry Clay wanted to participate in the Congress, but because young Latin American states banned slavery, representatives of the southern slave states refused to confirm the credentials of delegates and fund their trip. In the end, the United States still sent two representatives, but Richard Anderson Jr. died on the road, and John Sergeant arrived after the close of Congress.
Congress Summary
Numerous contradictions between the young states did not allow reaching an agreement on most issues, which allowed Simon Bolivar to consider that Congress failed. Nevertheless, six basic principles of cooperation were adopted:
- neutrality and coexistence
- recognition of the Monroe Doctrine,
- the need for international arbitration in disputes between each other,
- abolition of slavery,
- recognition of each other’s national sovereignty,
- guarantees of all these principles.
Sources
- R. Harvey “Liberators” - Moscow: AST, 2004. ISBN 5-17-019174-X