A Panamanian citizens’ coalition, Sal de las Redes, filed a lawsuit with the Supreme Court, challenging the constitutionality of a recent agreement allowing U.S. troop deployment near the Panama Canal. The agreement, signed under pressure from the U.S. President, permits U.S. forces to conduct training and maneuvers in areas adjacent to the canal, raising concerns about a de facto re-establishment of U.S. military bases. The coalition argues the agreement violates the Panamanian Constitution and the 1977 treaty transferring canal control to Panama, despite government assurances to the contrary. The agreement’s potential impact on Panamanian sovereignty and its implications for the canal’s neutrality are central to the dispute.
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The recent announcement that the US recognizes Panama’s sovereignty over the Panama Canal, following discussions between the two nations, presents a complex picture. While seemingly straightforward, the situation is fraught with the usual political maneuvering and underlying uncertainties that characterize US foreign policy. The statement itself, while positive, is not without its caveats and raises questions about the true extent of this recognition and its longevity.
The declaration of US recognition, while welcomed by Panama, doesn’t automatically erase years of complex history and lingering suspicions. There’s a definite sense that the statement may be more of a strategic political move than a genuine shift in long-held US attitudes toward Panamanian control of the canal.… Continue reading
Panama’s President Mulino vehemently rejected President Trump’s claim to “take back” the Panama Canal, asserting Panama’s unwavering sovereignty over the waterway, secured by the 1977 Torrijos-Carter Treaty. Trump’s assertion, made during his inaugural address, contradicts the treaty’s terms and disregards Panama’s decades-long responsible management of the canal. Mulino warned against any actions violating Panama’s sovereignty, emphasizing the country’s commitment to international law and dialogue. Trump’s statements have sparked international condemnation and raised concerns about potential conflict.
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Despite President-elect Trump’s assertions, Panama Canal Administrator Ricaurte Vásquez confirmed the waterway remains under Panamanian control and open to all nations, rejecting claims of Chinese dominance and any potential US seizure. Vásquez emphasized the canal’s neutrality treaty, permitting only expedited passage for American warships, and highlighted the established, nondiscriminatory fee structure, which recently concluded a planned series of increases. He dismissed suggestions of US preferential treatment as leading to chaos, noting that current port operations involve various international entities, including US and Taiwanese companies. The canal’s continued operation, even during recent droughts and the COVID-19 pandemic, underscores Panama’s commitment to maintaining its vital role in global trade.
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President-elect Trump threatened to reclaim U.S. control of the Panama Canal, citing allegedly unfair fees charged by Panama and expressing concerns about potential Chinese influence, despite China’s lack of control over the canal’s administration. This assertion drew immediate condemnation from Panamanian President Mulino, who declared Panama’s sovereignty non-negotiable and defended the canal’s fee structure. Trump’s threat, unprecedented in its directness, marks a potential shift in U.S. foreign policy and lacks legal basis under international law. The Panama Canal, a crucial waterway for global trade, was transferred to Panamanian control in 1999 following agreements signed in 1977.
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John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood