Panamanian leader denies US claim of reclaiming the Panama Canal
Panama President Jose Raul Mulino has accused US President Donald Trump of falsehood when he stated that the United States is “reclaiming” the Panama Canal. In a statement posted on X, Mulino insisted that the waterway is not being taken over by Trump or the US government, categorically denying that Trump’s remarks represent any kind of recovery of the canal.
“I reject, on behalf of Panama and all Panamanians, this new affront to the truth and to our dignity as a nation,” Mulino wrote.
Trump had announced during his presidential address to Congress that Washington intends to reclaim the canal to bolster US national security, claiming that the process has already begun. This declaration was in response to a deal allowing a consortium led by BlackRock Inc to purchase a controlling stake in the company operating ports at either end of the canal from a Chinese group. The transaction, valued at nearly $23bn including debt, requires government approval.
Trump’s interest in retaking the Panama Canal dates back to his campaign, when he argued that the US relinquishing control was a mistake and led to overcharging. Recently, he suggested that China’s influence over the canal could even prompt military action.
Panama maintains its absolute control over the canal, asserting that the operation of ports by the Hong Kong-based group does not equate to Chinese control of the waterway. Therefore, the sale to a US-based company does not constitute a US reclamation of the canal.
In February, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio visited Panama to express concerns about China’s influence over the canal’s operations, which Panama and Beijing have both denied.
The US constructed the canal in the early 1900s to facilitate the transit of commercial and military vessels. Control was transferred to Panama on December 31, 1999, under a treaty signed in 1977 by President Jimmy Carter. Trump has criticized Carter for what he considers a mistaken surrender of the canal. The canal is crucial for global maritime trade, handling 5 percent of global traffic and 40 percent of US container traffic.
“I reject, on behalf of Panama and all Panamanians, this new affront to the truth and to our dignity as a nation,” Mulino wrote.
Trump had announced during his presidential address to Congress that Washington intends to reclaim the canal to bolster US national security, claiming that the process has already begun. This declaration was in response to a deal allowing a consortium led by BlackRock Inc to purchase a controlling stake in the company operating ports at either end of the canal from a Chinese group. The transaction, valued at nearly $23bn including debt, requires government approval.
Trump’s interest in retaking the Panama Canal dates back to his campaign, when he argued that the US relinquishing control was a mistake and led to overcharging. Recently, he suggested that China’s influence over the canal could even prompt military action.
Panama maintains its absolute control over the canal, asserting that the operation of ports by the Hong Kong-based group does not equate to Chinese control of the waterway. Therefore, the sale to a US-based company does not constitute a US reclamation of the canal.
In February, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio visited Panama to express concerns about China’s influence over the canal’s operations, which Panama and Beijing have both denied.
The US constructed the canal in the early 1900s to facilitate the transit of commercial and military vessels. Control was transferred to Panama on December 31, 1999, under a treaty signed in 1977 by President Jimmy Carter. Trump has criticized Carter for what he considers a mistaken surrender of the canal. The canal is crucial for global maritime trade, handling 5 percent of global traffic and 40 percent of US container traffic.
