In a bold rebuttal to recent assertions made by US President-elect Donald Trump regarding the Panama Canal, President Jose Raul Mulino of Panama has unequivocally reaffirmed the nation’s sovereignty over this vital waterway. In a video shared on social media, Mulino declared, “Every square meter of the Panama Canal and its adjacent areas belongs to Panama and will continue belonging to Panama.”
This statement comes on the heels of Trump’s complaints about perceived unfair treatment of American ships traversing the canal, which he voiced on his platform, Truth Social. Trump criticized the fees imposed by Panama as “ridiculous” and expressed concern over China’s growing influence in the region, insisting, “It was solely for Panama to manage, not China, or anyone else.”
The Panama Canal, a monumental engineering achievement completed by the United States in 1914, was handed back to Panama in 1999 following a 1977 treaty signed by then-President Jimmy Carter. In his remarks, Trump threatened that if Panama could not guarantee the canal’s “secure, efficient and reliable operation,” the United States would demand its return.
Mulino, however, firmly dismissed these claims, emphasizing that the canal operates independently of external powers, including the US, China, and the European Union. He expressed a desire for a constructive relationship with the incoming administration, yet he made it clear that any misrepresentation of Panama’s sovereignty would not be tolerated. “As a Panamanian, I reject any manifestation that misrepresents this reality,” he stated.
In response to Mulino’s assertions, Trump retorted on Truth Social, “We’ll see about that!” This exchange highlights the growing tensions surrounding one of the world’s most strategic maritime routes as both leaders prepare to navigate a complex relationship in the coming months.
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