In brief
Amidst rising tensions, Panama's President Mulino firmly denies Trump's claims of Chinese military involvement at the Canal, asserting total Panamanian control and rejecting any toll reductions.
In a recent drama involving Panama's sovereignty, President José Raúl Mulino has firmly rebuffed comments made by US President-elect Donald Trump regarding the Panama Canal. Trump, through his Truth Social account, claimed that Chinese soldiers were operating the iconic canal and accused Panama of overcharging the US for shipping fees. Mulino labeled Trump's allegations as "nonsense," emphasizing that there are "absolutely no Chinese soldiers" present and asserting that the canal is fully under Panamanian control.He stated, "The canal is Panamanian and belongs to Panamanians," making it clear that discussions about ceding control or reducing shipping rates for US vessels are off the table. This response comes after Trump, during a speech, demanded lower tolls or threatened to reclaim the Canal, expressing concerns that it could "fall into the wrong hands."Since establishing diplomatic ties with China in 2017, relations between Panama and China have been described as respectful and mutually beneficial. Additionally, Trump announced plans to nominate Florida lawmaker Kevin Marino Cabrera as ambassador to Panama, aligning with his recent focus on the region. As the controversy unfolds, the management and control of the Panama Canal remains a hot topic, especially with over 14,000 ships passing through it annually, bolstering its importance as a major shipping channel.
