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