In response to remarks made by President-elect Donald Trump regarding the Panama Canal, Panama's Foreign Minister insists that the canal's sovereignty is "non-negotiable," asserting that it remains under full Panamanian control.
Panama Asserts Sovereignty Over Canal Amid Trump's Controversial Remarks
Panama Asserts Sovereignty Over Canal Amid Trump's Controversial Remarks
Panama's Foreign Minister reaffirms control over the Panama Canal following Donald Trump's comments on potential military action to secure the waterway.
Panama has firmly reinforced its sovereignty over the Panama Canal in the wake of comments made by US President-elect Donald Trump, who raised the possibility of using military force to take control of the waterway. This declaration came shortly after Panama celebrated the 25th anniversary of the canal’s handover from the United States on December 31, 1999.
During a press conference at Mar-a-Lago, Trump controversially claimed that the canal was operated by Chinese soldiers, a statement that Panama's Foreign Minister Javier Martínez-Acha promptly refuted. "The only hands operating the canal are Panamanian and that is how it is going to stay," he stated emphatically.
The Panama Canal, a vital conduit for international maritime trade, was transferred to Panama following a treaty signed by former President Jimmy Carter in 1977. Trump's remarks included criticism of Carter’s decision, described as a "big mistake," and an expressed interest in acquiring both the canal and Greenland, a self-governing territory of Denmark.
When pressed by journalists on whether he would rule out utilizing military or economic force to take over these territories, Trump responded, "No, I can't assure you on either of those two." In light of this, Martínez-Acha clarified that Panama has not received any offers regarding the canal, debunking Trump's claims of financial discussions. "Our canal's sovereignty is not negotiable and is part of our history of struggle and an irreversible conquest," he maintained.
Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino has yet to formally respond to Trump's recent claims. However, during the anniversary celebrations controlling the canal, he assured attendees, "it will stay in our control forever." Mulino has previously addressed Trump's insinuations of Chinese involvement at the canal, declaring, "there are no Chinese soldiers in the canal, for the love of God." The Panamanian government has expressed a desire to maintain positive relations with the new US administration, emphasizing that they will engage with Trump’s government only after his inauguration on January 20.
