Panama’s President Vows to Keep Canal in National Hands Amid U.S. Threats
Panama City, Panama —
Panama’s President Jose Raul Mulino declared on Sunday that the Panama Canal will “continue to be in Panamanian hands” following remarks by U.S. President-elect Donald Trump threatening to retake control of the vital waterway.
In a social media video post, Mulino emphasized that “every square meter of the Panama Canal and its adjacent area belong to Panama and will remain so.” He added, “The sovereignty and independence of our country are not negotiable.”
Trump, on Saturday, referred to the Panama Canal as “a vital national asset for the United States” and expressed intentions to retake it, citing “exorbitant prices” imposed on U.S. ships.
Responding to these comments, Mulino expressed his hope for a “respectful” relationship with the incoming U.S. administration. He highlighted the importance of cooperation on security issues such as illegal migration, drug trafficking, terrorism, and organized crime, which should be priorities on the bilateral agenda.
Mulino recalled the Torrijos-Carter Treaties signed in 1977 by then-Panamanian President Omar Torrijos and U.S. President Jimmy Carter, which returned sovereignty over the canal to Panama on December 31, 1999. He stressed that these treaties established the permanent neutrality of the Panama Canal, “guaranteeing its open and safe operation for all nations. Any position to the contrary is invalid.”
Addressing concerns over tariffs, Mulino stated, “The tariffs are established based on an open hearing, considering market conditions, international competition, operating costs, and the maintenance and modernization needs of the interoceanic waterway.”
“The Canal will continue to be in Panamanian hands as an inalienable patrimony of our nation, guaranteeing its use for the peaceful and uninterrupted transit of ships of all nations,” Mulino affirmed.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
