US Secretary of State Marco Rubio expressed concerns regarding China's influence over the Panama Canal during a meeting in Panama City with President Jose Raul Mulino and Foreign Minister Javier Martinez. He described the current situation as "unacceptable" and warned that the United States would implement "necessary measures" if no changes occur.
Rubio's remarks were in line with US President Donald Trump's apprehensions about the Chinese Communist Party's control in the region. According to State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce, Trump has preliminarily assessed that this influence poses a threat to US interests.
Rubio emphasized that without immediate changes, the US would need to take actions to safeguard its rights under the Treaty concerning the Permanent Neutrality and Operation of the Panama Canal.
This visit to Panama marks Rubio's first official trip as the US Secretary of State. His itinerary also includes stops in El Salvador, Costa Rica, Guatemala, and the Dominican Republic, reflecting a strategic focus on enhancing US engagement in Central America, as reported by CNN.
In his inaugural address, Trump asserted that China is effectively "operating" the Panama Canal and indicated that the US intends to "take it back," citing a history of being treated "unfairly."
After taking the oath of office as the 47th President of the United States at the Capitol in Washington, DC, he remarked, "Consider this: the United States has invested more resources than ever before in a single project and lost 38 lives during the construction of the Panama Canal. We have been treated unjustly regarding this ill-conceived gift that should never have been made, and Panama has failed to uphold its commitments to us."
In response to Trump's remarks, Panama's President Mulino asserted that the Panama Canal would remain under Panamanian control and emphasized that no foreign nation should interfere in Panama's affairs.
"On behalf of the Republic of Panama and its citizens, we must fully consider the statements made by President Donald Trump concerning Panama and its Canal during his inaugural address. He reiterated in his message to the nation on December 22 that the Canal is and will continue to be managed by Panama, maintaining its permanent neutrality. No foreign nation has any role in our governance," he stated.
