u.s. relations

Eaton’s term comes to an end

GABRIEL RODRÍGUEZ/LA PRENSA

William Eaton1054104

U.S. Ambassador to Panama William Eaton bid farewell to the country at a ceremony to celebrate the 4th of July at the embassy.

Eaton will return to the U.S. today, reported Sundwal Gavin, the embassy's press official. The new ambassador, Barbara Stephenson, will arrive sometime in August. Her appointment was confirmed by the U.S. Senate in May.

“We still do not have the exact date of her arrival,” Sundwal said. Until the new ambassador arrives, her duties will be carried out by Tomás Mesa.

Eaton, who came to Panama in September 2005 to replace Linda Watt, said in a speech that relations between Panama and the U.S. are “at their best.” He highlighted the large number of American retirees coming to live in Panama as a sign of positive relations between the two countries. He also mentioned their joint efforts to battle drug trafficking and the negotiation of a free trade agreement. Last month, Eaton received the Vasco Núñez de Balboa medal from the Panamanian government in recognition of his service.