Trump's Threats to take back control of the Panama Canal

[Moderator_03]

Quote

Trump Demands Panama Lower Transit Fees or Return Canal to the US

 December 22, 2024

The Panama Canal is owned and operated by the Central American nation, but US President-elect Donald Trump has made waves about excessive shipping fees and has threatened to demand control of the vital waterway be returned to Washington.

President-elect Donald Trump said Saturday that the Panama Canal is charging “exorbitant prices and rates of passage” on US naval and merchant ships, and he demanded that fees be lowered or else Panama should return the canal to the US. “The fees being charged by Panama are ridiculous, especially knowing the extraordinary generosity that has been bestowed to Panama by the US,” Trump said in a post on his Truth Social platform. “This complete ‘rip-off’ of our Country will immediately stop.”  The US is the canal’s biggest customer, responsible for about three quarters of the cargo transiting through each year.

A prolonged drought, however, has hampered the canal’s ability to move ships between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans recently. National Economic Council Director Lael Brainard said last week that the resulting disruptions contributed to the supply-chain pressures that have boosted inflation.  The Panama Canal Authority said Friday that the canal contributed $2.47 billion to Panama’s treasury in fiscal 2024, the second consecutive annual decline.  The US completed the 51-mile (82-kilometer) canal through the Central American isthmus in 1914, but ceded it back to Panama in 1999 under a treaty signed by former President Jimmy Carter in 1977 — a move that Trump called foolish.

Trump suggested that the canal was in danger of falling into the wrong hands, saying the canal isn’t China’s to manage. China is its second-biggest customer. A Chinese company based in Hong Kong controls two of the five ports adjacent to the canal, one on each side.  “It was not given for the benefit of others, but merely as a token of cooperation with us and Panama,” Trump said. “If the principles, both moral and legal, of this magnanimous gesture of giving are not followed, then we will demand that the Panama Canal be returned to us, in full, and without question. To the Officials of Panama, please be guided accordingly!”  The Panamanian embassy in Washington didn’t immediately return a request for comment. An official for Panama’s government said late Saturday that he was aware of Trump’s statement and there would be a formal response in the next day or so. A spokesman for the canal declined to comment until the government had responded. 

https://newsroompanama.com/2024/12/22/trump-demands-panama-lower-transit-fees-or-return-canal-to-the-us/
 

[Moderator_03]

Quote

‘Every Square Meter of the Panama Canal and its Adjacent Area Belongs to Panama and will Continue to do so’: Mulino Responds to Trump’s Statements

 December 22, 2024

Panamanians have asked the President of the Republic for a quick and forceful response in defense of national sovereignty and the Panama Canal.

President José Raúl Mulino categorically reaffirmed that the Panama Canal and its adjacent zone are the exclusive heritage of Panamanians. The statement comes in response to statements by the president-elect of the United States, Donald Trump, who hinted at possible claims on the interoceanic route.  “Every square meter of the Panama Canal and its adjacent zone belongs to Panama and will continue to do so. The sovereignty and independence of our country are not negotiable,” the president said.  Mulino recalled that the Torrijos-Carter Treaties of 1977 were fundamental in the process of transferring the Canal, an agreement that recognized the full sovereignty of Panama and culminated on December 31, 1999. Twenty-five years after that historic transfer, the president stressed that, since then, there have been no objections or claims, but rather growing international support and a strong feeling of national pride. 

In his message, Mulino also emphasized that the Canal is not under the control of any foreign power, be it China, the United States or the European Community. He assured that the Canal is an asset that Panama manages with total autonomy and that its mission is to serve humanity and world trade in a neutral and open manner for all nations.  He also stressed that the Panama Canal has been expanded and modernized by sovereign decision of the Panamanians, with tariffs established in a public and transparent manner, taking into account market conditions, international competition and the operational needs of the waterway.  Finally, the president reaffirmed Panama’s commitment to sovereignty and peace, recalling the importance of maintaining respectful relations with the new United States government. However, he made it clear that, although there are many issues of bilateral cooperation, such as illegal migration and drug trafficking, the Canal is an issue that unites all Panamanians under one flag.  For Mulino, the defense of the homeland, and in particular of the Canal, is an unwavering principle. “The homeland comes first,” he concluded, calling for national unity in the face of any attempt to question Panamanian sovereignty over this vital interoceanic route. 

https://newsroompanama.com/2024/12/22/every-square-meter-of-the-panama-canal-and-its-adjacent-area-belongs-to-panama-and-will-continue-to-do-so-mulino-responds-to-trumps-statements/

[Moderator_03]

Quote

China Says the Canal is ‘A Creation of Panama’ and Supports Panamanian Sovereignty Over It

 December 23, 2024

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning during a press conference at the ministry in Beijing, on December 23, 2024.

China said Monday that the Panama Canal “is a great creation of the Panamanian people” and that it will “always respect” Panama’s sovereignty over it, in reference to the threat by the president-elect of the United States, Donald Trump, that he could demand the return of the infrastructure to the North American country.  Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said at a press conference on Monday, December 23, that her country “has always respected the just struggle of the Panamanian people for sovereignty” over the transport route.  Mao recalled that “large-scale demonstrations took place in China as early as the 1960s to show strong support for the people of Panama.” 

“We believe that, under the efficient management of Panama, the canal will continue to make new contributions to facilitating integration and exchanges between different countries,” added the spokesperson, while referring to the statements of Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino, who declared that “every square meter of the canal belongs to Panama.”  Trump, who will be sworn in as US president on January 20, complained on Saturday and Sunday about the “exorbitant” tariffs and the management of the Panama Canal, and threatened to demand their “return” if “moral and legal” principles are not respected.  Mulino said on Sunday that the interoceanic canal “is Panamanian and will continue to be so.”  The Panama Canal was built by the United States, which opened it in 1914 and administered it until its transfer to the Panamanian State on December 31, 1999, as established in the Torrijos-Carter Treaties signed on September 7, 1977 in Washington by Omar Torrijos (1929-1981), and Jimmy Carter (1977-1981).

https://newsroompanama.com/2024/12/23/china-says-the-canal-is-a-creation-of-panama-and-supports-panamanian-sovereignty-over-it/

[Moderator_03]

Quote

Martin Torrijos on Trump’s Statements: ‘The Torrijos-Carter Treaties Marked the End of an Era of Subjugation’

 December 23, 2024

President Jimmy Carter and General Omar Torrijos at the signing of the Torrijos-Carter treaties.

President-elect Donald Trump’s statements about regaining control over the Panama Canal continue to generate negative opinions among Panamanians, including former President Martin Torrijos, who spoke out on social media X.  Torrijos, son of General Omar Torrijos, who in a strategic maneuver recovered the waterway by signing the Torrijos-Carter treaties in 1977 which returned sovereignty to the Panamanians, the canal and put an end to the presence of gringo troops in the national territory, stated:

“All Panamanians are proud that Panama is a sovereign country. It is the fruit of the courageous struggle of different generations who gave their lives to build a country that is the master of its own destiny.”

He stressed that the Torrijos-Carter treaties marked the end of an era of submission and the beginning of a free, independent nation that has demonstrated not only its proven ability to manage the canal efficiently and safely, but was also able to expand it to improve service to world trade and generate increasing benefits for Panamanians. He went on to say that any attempt to roll back this historic achievement not only dishonors our struggle, but is also an affront to the memory of those who made it possible.  “As a Panamanian, I join in the absolute rejection of any attempt to minimize or threaten our sovereignty; in such an event, you will find us united as a nation and with the firmest determination to defend our sovereignty and our Canal,” he said.

https://newsroompanama.com/2024/12/23/martin-torrijos-on-trumps-statements-the-torrijos-carter-treaties-marked-the-end-of-an-era-of-subjugation/

[Moderator_03]

Quote

‘Until the Last Consequences I will be on Panama’s Side’: Colombian President Petro Supports the Country in the Face of Trump’s Statements

 December 23, 2024

“If they don’t want us in the United States, we must make all of the Americas prosperous in independence, freedom and democratic dignity,” said Colombian President Gustavo Petro.

“Until the last consequences, I will be on the side of Panama and the defense of its sovereignty.” With these words, the president of Colombia, Gustavo Petro, began a message published on the social network X in response to the recent statements of the president-elect of the United States, Donald Trump. Trump threatened to demand the return of the Panama Canal if the transit fees currently charged for the interoceanic route are not reduced.  Petro stressed that, although he is willing to engage in dialogue with the new US government, he will not accept that the dignity of the Latin American peoples be compromised.  “If the new US government wants to talk business, we will talk business, face to face, and for the benefit of our people, but dignity will never be negotiated,” said the Colombian president. 

These statements came shortly after Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino also responded to Trump’s words. In a video released by the Panamanian government, Mulino stressed: “Every square meter of the Panama Canal and its adjacent area belongs to Panama, and will continue to do so. The sovereignty and independence of our country are not negotiable.”  Donald Trump then responded: “We’ll see about that!” Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum expressed her support for Panama’s government after Donald Trump’s remarks.  “Indeed, the Panama Canal belongs to the Panamanians,” she during her regular morning press conference. Petro also pointed out that Trump is wrong and that his statements could have serious consequences for the region. “If he does not want thousands of people to cross the Darien, increased by millions from Panama to Mexico, he must understand that it will depend on the prosperity and freedom of our people.

If he thinks it is expensive to pay to pass the Panama Canal in the hands of Panamanians, it will be much more expensive to plunge Panama, South America, Central America or Mexico into poverty,” he said.  The Colombian president added: “If they don’t want us in the US, we must make all of the Americas prosperous in independence, freedom and democratic dignity.”  For his part, Trump, who will assume the presidency of the United States on January 20, complained this weekend about the “exorbitant” tariffs of the Panama Canal and warned that he will demand their “return” if “moral and legal” principles are not respected.

https://newsroompanama.com/2024/12/23/until-the-last-consequences-i-will-be-on-panamas-side-colombian-president-petro-supports-the-country-in-the-face-of-trumps-statements/

[Moderator_03]

 

https://n

Quote

‘Historical Ignorance’: Mulino Reacts on ‘CNN’ to Trump’s Threats Regarding the Panama Canal

 December 24, 2024

Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino has once again responded to US President-elect Donald Trump, who recently described the Panama Canal tariffs as “exorbitant” and threatened to demand their “return” if “moral and legal” principles were not respected.  “That is a manifestation of gross ignorance of history,” Mulino said in a preview of his interview with journalist Andrés Oppenheimer for CNN en Español.  The Panamanian president recalled that the Panama Canal will celebrate 25 years of being under Panamanian administration on December 31, highlighting the achievements obtained since its transfer. Regarding the development of the waterway, Mulino stressed that the expansion of the Canal, completed in 2016, was a resounding success:

“It is an expanded canal for the world, with greater transit capacity for ships that could not pass before, and which leaves multi-billion dollar profits for our national economy.”  Mulino also mentioned that last week the Canal gave the country a dividend check for 2.4 billion dollars. “That is Panamanian, 100% Panamanian, and it will continue to be Panamanian. I leave all those speculations and eventualities that will not happen as irrelevant issues and lacking historical coherence, considering what the Panama Canal has been, is and will be,” he emphasized.  Last Sunday, Mulino had already reacted firmly to the statements of Trump, who will assume the US presidency on January 20. 

“As president, I want to express clearly that every square meter of the Panama Canal and its adjacent area is Panama’s, and will continue to be so. The sovereignty and independence of our country are not negotiable. Every Panamanian, here or anywhere in the world, carries it in their heart. It is part of our history of struggle and an irreversible conquest,” said Mulino.  The Panamanian president’s words have received broad support both locally and internationally.

Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino, along with several former presidents of the country, declared that the “sovereignty of our country and our Canal are not negotiable,” after the president-elect of the United States, Donald Trump, stated on Saturday, December 21 that he would request the reversal of the maritime route to the North American nation if “historic agreements” were not met.  This was made known in a declaration signed on the afternoon of this Monday, December 23 at the Palacio de Las Garzas by Mulino, in addition to former presidents Ernesto Pérez Balladares (1994-1999), Mireya Moscoso (1999-2004) and Martín Torrijos (2004). -2009).  “The sovereignty and independence of our country are not negotiable, and it is part of our history of struggle and an irreversible conquest,” the document explains.  Furthermore, they reiterate that the “Canal has the mission of serving humanity and its trade” and they guarantee the international community “not to take part, nor be an active party in any conflict.”  For his part, former president Laurentino Cortizo (2019-2024), through his X account (formerly Twitter), explained that for personal reasons he could not attend the meeting, however, he stated that he joins Mulino’s statements and the declaration signed by the former presidents.

Many Panamanians are angry with the statements made by President-elect Trump.  When they proposed these treaties, it was not just an idea that they approved between the two of them. That proposal was taken to the United States Congress, which would be for us the House of Representatives.

ewsroompanama.com/2024/12/24/historical-ignorance-mulino-reacts-on-cnn-to-trumps-threats-regarding-the-panama-canal/

[Moderator_03]

Quote

Geopolitics is at the Heart of Trump’s Attack on the Panama Canal

 December 25, 2024

The US president-elect is sending a message to Latin America that it must align itself with US interests in the face of the seemingly inevitable trade war with China, and perhaps also by pushing for a negotiation on tolls or for the Central American country to take in migrants heading north.  This is how analysts understand the complaint expressed by Trump over the weekend about the “scam” of tariffs and the alleged interference of China in the interoceanic route, for which he threatened to demand that it be “returned” to the US if Panamanian officials do not act accordingly.  The United States is the main user of the canal. It built and managed it until its transfer to Panama on December 31, 1999, which was achieved thanks to the Torrijos-Carter Treaties of 1977.  Panamanian workers’ unions like Suntracs demonstrated on Tuesday in front of the US embassy in the Panamanian capital in rejection of statements by US President-elect Donald Trump, threatening to demand the return of the canal.

Four flags were placed on the Bridge of the Americas.  The flags were placed at the request of President José Raúl Mulino, amid the tense climate experienced by Donald Trump’s statements. Trump’s threats come just as Panama commemorated, on December 20, the 35th anniversary of the US invasion of the country to capture the dictator Manuel Antonio Noriega on drug trafficking charges, which left between 500 and 4,000 dead, and just days away from the 25th anniversary of the transfer of the canal.  The Republican leader’s position should not be seen from the perspective of traditional politics, “it must be understood pragmatically, as Germany, France and NATO have done,” since Trump “is trying to negotiate in his own way,” Panamanian economist and professor Eddie Tapiero explained.  “We have to work pragmatically, understanding the situation, seeking international alliances,” says the Panamanian analyst. 

Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino has already stated that “the Panama Canal and its adjacent areas belong to Panama and will continue to belong to Panama,” and that neither China, the European Community, the United States or any other power have “direct or indirect control” over it.  Trump, who will take office on January 20 for his second term, is sending “a message to Latin America that it has to align itself with the interests of the US, which will inevitably enter into a trade war with China,” economist Carlos Araúz explained.  This issue “goes far beyond tolls: Trump is sending a message about what the United States’ protectionist policy will be for the next four years.”  For Tapiero, Trump’s thesis on China and the canal may be related to the fact that the Panamanian ports of Balboa and Cristobal are operated by Hutchison Wampoa, a firm based in Hong Kong, something that does not affect the Panama Canal Authority, “which manages it independently and does not maintain commercial or financial ties.” 

“This is the geopolitical aspect.”  Trump’s cabinet “is made up of many anti-China hawks, but developing countries cannot be caught in the middle of the giants’ fights because we need markets to develop,” Tapiero explained.  According to Trump, the tolls charged by the canal are “exorbitant.” Mulino responded that the rates “are not a whim,” are set “in open hearing” with clients “considering market conditions,” and cover “operating costs and the modernization of the waterway.”  The Republican is “trying to negotiate, I think the canal is very important for his policy, to keep prices low for the development of the United States’ industrial policy,” according to Tapiero.  Araúz believes that there is little room for negotiation in this area, since “the tolls are determined by the board of governors, where the United States has a representative, and the shipping companies have representatives. 

Not even the Panamanian government has anything to say about the Panama Canal tolls.”  “Inflation is going to skyrocket and eventually it will become much more expensive for the average American to live in their own country” because of Trump’s protectionist policies, he added.  Thousands of irregular migrants pass through Panama every year on their way to the United States. During Trump’s first presidency (2017-2021), the country already refused to accept this population while they processed their legal entry into the United States, an initiative that the Republican leader intends to revive.  Irregular migration “would be one of the points of negotiation that (Trump) is seeking, perhaps to see a mechanism that could be reached there” with Panama, says Tapiero.  The migration issue “has to be attacked in a coordinated manner if a solution is to be imposed from the perspective of only one side, it will most likely fail,” says Araúz.  Mulino said that he hopes to “maintain and preserve a respectful relationship” with the new US government and that security issues such as illegal migration, drug trafficking, terrorism and organized crime will have “priority” on the bilateral agenda. 

https://newsroompanama.com/2024/12/25/geopolitics-is-at-the-heart-of-trumps-attack-on-the-panama-canal/

[Moderator_03]

 

Quote

‘There is nothing to discuss, the Panama Canal is Panamanian,’ Mulino tells Trump

 December 26, 2024

Trump Christmas Message from his Truth Social Platform:  “Merry Christmas to all, including to the wonderful soldiers of China, who are lovingly, but illegally, operating the Panama Canal (where we lost 38,000 people in its building 110 years ago), always making certain that the United States puts in Billions of Dollars in “repair” money, but will have absolutely nothing to say about “anything.” Also, to Governor Justin Trudeau of Canada, whose Citizens’ Taxes are far too high, but if Canada was to become our 51st State, their Taxes would be cut by more than 60%, their businesses would immediately double in size, and they would be militarily protected like no other Country anywhere in the World. Likewise, to the people of Greenland, which is needed by the United States for National Security purposes and, who want the U.S. to be there, and we will!”

Mulino reacted to Trump’s Christmas message…. “There are no Chinese soldiers in the Panama Canal, for the love of God. The world is free to visit the Panama Canal,” the Panamanian president responded.

 

The President of the Republic, José Raúl Mulino, sent a message to the President-elect of the United States, Donald Trump, that there is no possibility of modifying the reality of the Panama Canal. “There is no possibility, for this president, of saying anything that seeks to rethink the legal-political reality of the Panama Canal in Panamanian hands. If there is an intention to talk: well, there is nothing to talk about. The Canal is Panamanian, period,” said Mulino this Thursday, December 26, 2024, at his usual press conference.  The Panamanian president also denied Trump’s accusations about Panama’s alleged inability to guarantee the safe transit of ships through the interoceanic waterway. He assured that traffic has never been interrupted, except during the US invasion on December 31, 1989. 

The President-elect of the United States, Donald Trump, continues with his messages against Panama and the administration of the Panama Canal, while announcing the ambassador who will represent the northern nation in Panamanian territory.   “I am pleased to announce that Kevin Marino Cabrera, pictured below, will serve as United States Ambassador to the Republic of Panama, a country that is ripping us off on the Panama Canal beyond our wildest dreams,” Trump posted on the social media site Truth.  Marino Cabrera responded to his appointment by thanking Trump: “I am honored and grateful for your nomination to serve as the United States Ambassador to Panama.”  Trump, who will assume the presidency for the second time on January 20, 2025, described Kevin Marino Cabrera as a fierce defender of the “America First” principles. He recalled that the ambassador-designate has held important positions as commissioner of Miami-Dade County (Florida) and vice president of the International Trade Consortium.  Since last weekend, Trump has said that the treatment the United States receives for using the Panama Canal is unfair and complained about “exorbitant” tariffs, threatening to demand their “return” if “moral and legal” principles are not respected.

Argentine journalist and writer Andrés Oppenheimer, a columnist for El Nuevo Herald, believes that Trump uses threats as a constant negotiating tactic with other countries and could be his strategy to keep his political base energized.  In recent weeks he has spoken of the possible annexation of Canada as the 51st state of the United States and the purchase of Greenland.  “Populist demagogues such as Trump often concoct conflicts with real or imagined enemies to wrap themselves in the flag and present themselves as saviors of their country.  Oppenheimer stresses that there does not seem to be much to negotiate with Panama.  The biggest point of friction between the two countries at the moment is the flow of migrants through the Darien jungle. This year, approximately 300,000 migrants have crossed that region on their way to the United States. 

https://newsroompanama.com/2024/12/26/there-is-nothing-to-discuss-the-panama-canal-is-panamanian-mulino-tells-trump/

[Moderator_03]

Quote

Panama President Mulino Dismisses Donald Trump’s Threat as Nonsense

 December 27, 2024

Panama President José Raúl Mulino has dismissed claims from Trump that the Panama Canal could fall into the hands of China.

Panama’s president has openly dismissed a recent claim from President-elect Donald Trump that China interfered with the Panama Canal, calling the remark “nonsense.”  Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino denied the claim on Thursday at a news conference.  It came after Trump wrote a “Merry Christmas” message on Truth Social on Wednesday:  Mulino said at a Thursday news briefing “There are no Chinese soldiers in the canal, for the love of God. It’s nonsense. There is absolutely no Chinese interference or involvement in anything that has to do with the Panama Canal. There are no no Chinese or any other world power at the canal.” Mulino added: “If they’re Chinese, if they’re Costa Rican, if they’re American, all are welcome who want to invest in the country. There is no discrimination here in foreign investment. 

A protest broke out near the US embassy in Panama City after Donald Trump suggested the US might try to take back control of the Panama Canal.

Scott Jennings shared his thoughts Thursday on the reaction of Panama after President-elect Donald Trump threatened to take back the Panama Canal.  Scott Jennings (born October 26, 1977) is an American political strategist and writer. He worked in the George W. Bush administration and has been described as an adviser to Senator Mitch McConnell. He is an opinion contributor for CNN, USA Today, and the Los Angeles Times.

‘Do I Care If Panama Is Angry?’: Scott Jennings On Concerns Over Trump’s Threats To Take Back Panama Canal

Scott Jennings shared his thoughts Thursday on the reaction of Panama after President-elect Donald Trump threatened to take back the Panama Canal.  Trump openly challenged Panama’s management of the canal and suggested the U.S. have control over Canada and Greenland.  Jennings dismissed concerns about potentially upsetting Panama following Trump’s remarks.  “Do I care if Panama is angry? I mean, honestly, I need them to understand, and Donald Trump needs them to understand that we are the dominant superpower in this hemisphere,” Jennings said. “He needs to have a conversation with them about that. And I hope that he does. And yes, they are an ally, but this is a vital thing.”  Jennings said this pushback from Trump is less about instigating diplomatic spats and more about reasserting American dominance.  “I think Donald Trump is trying to send a message to the Chinese, and he’s also trying to send a message to everyone else in the hemisphere that I’m not gonna put up with this encroachment,” Jennings said.  China is having encroachment in this hemisphere, in Africa, all over the world. They are trying to act like the world’s leading superpower. They are trying to exert their values and their way of life all over the world.”

In 1977, Carter signed a treaty with Omar Torrijos, who, at the time, was the leader of Panama’s military junta. That treaty initiated the transfer process that was completed in 1999, transferring full authority to the Panama Canal Authority.  Prior to this agreement, the U.S. had secured extensive control over the canal area through the 1903 Hay-Bunau-Varilla Treaty, which allowed for its construction, maintenance, operation and protection. After Colombia rejected an American bid to take over a failed French project, the U.S. supported a Panamanian independence movement, paving the way for the canal’s construction, which became America’s most costly infrastructure project at the time.  According to a senior Panama Canal source this year, U.S. military vessels have contributed very little to the interoceanic waterway’s finances over the past nine years. “and they do not have to pay reservations, and they are given priority passage,” he added.  In nine years, the US Navy only paid $17 million in tolls.

https://newsroompanama.com/2024/12/27/panama-president-mulino-dismisses-donald-trumps-threat-as-nonsense/

[Moderator_03]

Quote

Panama Could Defend the Canal Through International Law, says President Mulino after Trump’s Threats

 December 30, 2024

Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino has said that tolls for the interoceanic canal will not be lowered following complaints from US President-elect Donald Trump that they are a “scam.”

Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino said he is seeking to maintain “the best relationship with the United States,” as it has historically been, despite any differences that may arise.  The Panamanian president’s statements follow threats from US President-elect Donald Trump, who hinted that under his administration the United States could regain control of the Panama Canal.  In an interview with journalist Andrés Oppenheimer, broadcast on “CNN en Español” Mulino described the insistence on this issue as something “not positive.” He added that it could generate a “clash of ideas and approaches.”

However, Mulino made it clear that Panama would act “through international law” if necessary, and would even file an international complaint. “But I do not believe” it will come to that, said the president, highlighting the displays of solidarity received by Panama, even from countries with which it does not have the best relations, such as Cuba and Venezuela.  “Panama has the muscle that international law provides to support the legal basis for why we own the canal, period,” he stressed.  In response to Trump’s statements, Mulino stressed that “the Canal was not given to Panama by anyone” nor was it purchased for a dollar. He also clarified that China has no influence on the waterway.

He recalled that the Torrijos-Carter Treaties of 1977 agreed to the dissolution of the former Canal Zone, recognizing Panamanian sovereignty and establishing the complete transfer of the Canal to Panama, which took place on December 31, 1999. And soon the 25th anniversary of this historic transfer will be celebrated, he added.  The Panamanian president reiterated: “The Canal belongs to the Panamanians and will continue to belong to the Panamanians.”  Trump, a critic of the Torrijos-Carter Treaties, will take office as President of the United States on January 20. Regarding the new US administration, Mulino stressed the importance of fulfilling a joint agenda on key issues such as migration; drug trafficking, terrorism and organized crime. “The Darien is another US border,” he said.  He expressed confidence that the relationship between Panama and the United States will be fluid, although he acknowledged that differences could arise. “There are more interests that unite us than the differences that may exist,” he said.  Finally, Mulino clarified that he has not had any contact with Trump’s team so far, but assured that, if he does, he will act with total transparency.

https://newsroompanama.com/2024/12/30/panama-could-defend-the-canal-through-international-law-says-president-mulino-after-trumps-threats/

[Moderator_03]

Quote

US Republican Dusty Johnson Pushes Plan for US to Regain Control of the Panama Canal

 January 9, 2025

U.S. Representative Dustin M. Johnson of South Dakota announced the introduction of a bill to authorize President-elect Donald Trump to purchase the Panama Canal and place it under U.S. control.  According to The Hill, Johnson planned to introduce the proposal, called the “Panama Canal Buyback Act,” on January 9, 2025. Indeed, the project was presented this Thursday under his editorship, and already has the signatures of 15 of his colleagues.  In recent weeks, Trump, who will assume his second presidential term on January 20, has expressed his discontent with the alleged high tolls and Chinese control over the Canal, arguments that have been repeatedly denied by the Panamanian government.  “President Trump is right to consider buying back the Panama Canal. China’s interest and presence in the canal is a cause for concern,” Johnson said in a statement. “The United States must project strength abroad – owning and operating the Panama Canal could be an important step toward a stronger America and a safer world.”  The bill would empower the president, along with the Secretary of State, to “initiate and carry out negotiations with the authorities of the Government of the Republic of Panama for the purpose of reacquiring the Panama Canal,” according to the draft obtained by The Hill.

 

In addition, the President is required to submit a report within 180 days of the bill’s approval, detailing the progress of negotiations, potential challenges and expected outcomes.  During a recent press conference at Mar-a-Lago, Florida, Trump did not rule out using economic or military measures to regain control of the Panama Canal, as well as to acquire Greenland, another territory he has expressed interest in buying.  However, the proposal faces resistance even within the Republican Party, according to The Hill. Roger Wicker, chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, called Trump’s ambitions aspirational. “I think he was speaking with wishes rather than a concrete plan,” he said.  For his part, Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino flatly rejected any possibility of renegotiating the sovereignty of the Canal. “There is no possibility, under this president, of discussing anything that would redefine the legal-political reality of the Panama Canal in Panamanian hands. The Canal is Panamanian, period,” said Mulino.  Panamanian Foreign Minister Javier Martínez-Acha, pictured below, also condemned Trump’s statements. “The sovereignty of the Panama Canal is an irreversible and non-negotiable achievement. The only hands that control the canal are Panamanian and that will continue to be the case,” he stressed.

“For Panamanians, the Panama Canal is incomparable,” said Martínez Acha on January 9, who stressed that for the country the interoceanic route “is the religion that unites us.”  “It is an asset of the Panamanians that successfully serves the entire international community, especially the United States,” he added.  According to Martínez Acha, the port that benefits most from the Canal is the port of Houston. “The Canal is an asset of ours, at the service of the international community, without any privileges for anyone,” he said.  According to The Hill, Johnson plans to introduce the proposal, dubbed the “Panama Canal Buyback Act.” 

In recent weeks, Trump, who will assume his second presidential term on January 20, has expressed his discontent with the alleged high tolls and Chinese control over the Canal, arguments that have been repeatedly denied by the Panamanian government.  President José Raúl Mulino, who was present this Thursday at the events of the January 9, 1964 event, which motivated the signing of the Torrijos-Carter Treaties so that the Canal, then controlled by the United States, would pass into Panamanian hands, also referred to the case.  “Thanks to what happened here in 1964, we have a Panamanian Canal, complete sovereignty at the national level, and it will remain that way. We will have to fight for it to keep it Panamanian, just like the Canal. No one can try to undermine that reality. The Canal is and will continue to be Panamanian,” he declared. 

https://newsroompanama.com/2025/01/09/us-republican-dusty-johnson-pushes-plan-for-us-to-regain-control-of-the-panama-canal/

[Moderator_03]

Quote

 

 

Occupy Democrats 

January 8 at 8:26 PM  · 

BREAKING: CEO of the Panama Canal Authority humiliates Donald Trump by obliterating the blatant lies he has been pushing about the important trade passage in furtherance of his imperialist takeover scheme.

This has MAGA screeching with rage...

"We cannot discriminate for the Chinese, or the Americans, or anyone else," CEO Ricaurte Vásquez Morales said, addressing Trump's "unfounded" claim that China is secretly controlling the canal.

"China has no involvement whatsoever in our operations," he said.

"Rules are rules, and there are no exceptions," he continued. "We cannot discriminate for the Chinese, or the Americans, or anyone else. This will violate the neutrality treaty, international law, and it will lead to chaos."

He questioned where Trump came up with his absurd claim that Panama asked the United States for $3 billion to repair the canal since the Canal Authority funds repairs itself.

Vásquez Morales also dismissed Trump's claim that the Canal Authority charges the United States unfairly high rates for ship passage, pointing out that U.S. Navy vessels receive priority passage in accordance with treaty guidelines.

 

[Moderator_03]

Quote

‘The Chinese are not running the Panama Canal’: Wall Street Journal Editor on Trump’s Remarks

 January 12, 2025

Mary O’Grady, a member of the editorial board of The Wall Street Journal, recently questioned former President Donald Trump’s statements about reclaiming the Panama Canal, calling them baseless and lacking support.  In her analysis, O’Grady stressed that claims of Chinese control of the canal have no basis in reality.  “The Panama Canal is not under Chinese control. There are no Chinese soldiers in the canal,” the journalist stressed during an editorial report on Fox News.  She also clarified that the fees for crossing the canal are the same for all users, including American ships, and that Panama continues to respect the terms of the treaty signed with the United States since the transfer of the canal in 1999.  O’Grady said the recent increase in canal tolls could be the real reason behind Trump’s criticism.  

Mary O’Grady said some U.S. exporters, particularly in the energy and agricultural sectors, have expressed discontent with the tariff adjustment.  However, she stressed that these decisions were supported by an advisory board that includes a retired admiral of the United States Navy.  “There is a transparent process. The Panama Canal Authority consults with this board before making any increase, and in this case the green light was given,” she explained.  Regarding the possible connection between Trump’s remarks and the ports run by Hong Kong-based Hutchison Whampoa, O’Grady said there was no direct connection to the canal.  “Hong Kong companies have operated these ports for years, and there are three other ports run by companies from the United States, Singapore and Taiwan,” she said. 

O’Grady also addressed the investment needs of the Panama Canal, which faces significant challenges due to water uncertainty.  She explained that the construction of a new lake, necessary to ensure the sustainable operation of the canal, will cost around $2.5 billion.  However, she ruled out that Panama is requesting $3 billion from the United States, as Trump suggested.  “There is no evidence that Panama is making such a request. These statements appear to be unfounded and could be motivated by tariff increases,” she concluded.  The event dates back to December 21, 2024, when Trump, through his Truth Social account, wrote that “if the principles, both moral and legal, of this magnanimous gesture of generosity are not respected, we will demand that the Panama Canal be returned to us, in its entirety and without question.”

https://newsroompanama.com/2025/01/12/the-chinese-are-not-running-the-panama-canal-wall-street-journal-editor-on-trumps-remarks/

[Moderator_03]

Quote

Misconceptions about the Panama Canal are Being Clarified Daily

 January 13, 2025

Recent remarks by U.S. President-elect Donald Trump have drawn attention to the Panama Canal. He accused the Panama Canal Authority (PCA) of charging higher fees for U.S. ships passing through the canal compared to other nations.  Donald Trump, who will be inaugurated for a second time as President of the US on January 20, also expressed concerns that China is operating the canal.  He even refused to rule out using military force to retake control of the canal, emphasizing its importance for U.S. economic security.  To be fair to the President-elect, he did not volunteer the latter statement about the use of military force; he was responding to a reporter’s question at a free-wheeling press conference as to whether he would assure the world that he would not use military or economic coercion to gain control of the Panama Canal and Greenland. He responded by saying he could not give assurances on “either of those two, but I can say this, we need them for economic security.”

Human Sacrifice Behind the Panama Canal

The story of the Panama Canal is not only one of significant financial investment and engineering skill by the U.S.; it is also one of human sacrifice by West Indians. Between 1904 and 1914, the canal was constructed by approximately 200,000 West Indian workers who faced grueling conditions and significant risks. Research reveals that, in relation to Barbados alone, 5,893 workers perished, succumbing to disease, landslides, explosions, and machinery accidents. By comparison, 350 U.S. nationals died.

Historical Context

In 1903, the United States signed a treaty with a nascent Panama, granting the U.S. perpetual control over a 10-mile-wide canal zone. While this agreement enabled the construction of the canal, it was negotiated under circumstances of Panama’s limited bargaining power. Over time, Panamanians increasingly viewed U.S. control as an impediment to their sovereignty.

 

However, the United States did invest significantly in the canal’s construction between 1904 and 1914. The total cost of the project was approximately $375 million, which included the purchase of the assets of a French company that had previously failed to build the canal.

 

During the 89 years that the U.S. operated the canal, it generated substantial revenue from tolls charged to ships passing through. However, the primary goal of the canal was to provide a strategic and economic advantage by shortening shipping routes between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, not only for trade but also for the U.S. military. Therefore, the strategic and economic benefits of the canal to the U.S were immense.

 

The mid-20th century saw growing agitation for change in Panama, leading twice to amendments to the original treaty and granting some concessions to Panama, but not to any alteration of the fundamental structures of U.S. control. Violent protests by Panamanians, especially students, in the 1960s, together with the rise of independent nations advocating for fair treatment around the word, paved the way for the 1977 Torrijos-Carter Treaties. Under these treaties, the U.S. committed to gradually transfer control of the canal to Panama. By December 31, 1999, Panama assumed full authority, with the obligation to maintain the canal’s neutrality and to ensure fair access for all nations.  That is an obligation that the PCA unequivocally states it upholds.

Panama Canal Today

Since the transfer of control, no country or company using the canal has officially complained about discriminatory fees or non-compliance with international law. The canal’s revenue funds its operations, maintenance, and expansions, without external financial dependency on the Treasury of any other nation.

 

The PCA has categorically denied the suggestion by the President-elect that it charges U.S. ships higher fees, emphasizing its commitment to neutrality. Similarly, it stated that concerns about China “controlling” the canal are unfounded. The Authority points out that while Chinese companies manage ports near the canal and have invested in Panamanian infrastructure, the canal itself remains under the full authority of the PCA.

Addressing Misunderstandings

In any event, President-elect Trump’s concerns about the canal’s financial arrangements and Chinese influence underscore the importance of clarifying these issues. Misunderstandings can strain international relations and obscure the collaborative history between the U.S. and Panama over the canal.

 

For example, the suggestion that Panama is seeking a $3 billion loan from the U.S. for canal repairs is rejected by the PCA, which points to its historical record of managing its finances responsibly, using revenues and loans from the international financial market to fund projects like the canal’s expansion in 2016.

Opportunities for Dialogue

The Panama Canal is a vital conduit for global trade, and its neutrality and accessibility benefit all nations, including the United States. Given that President-elect Trump has expressed concerns, his remarks highlight the need for open, respectful dialogue to address them.

 

Latin American and Caribbean countries, long committed to principles of mutual respect and cooperation would undoubtedly be supportive of efforts between the U.S. and Panama to clarify misunderstandings. Having moved beyond the tenets of the Monroe Doctrine, the region’s interest is to maintain an area of peace where all forms of aggression are rejected in favor of dialogue and cooperation. The economic and social growth of each of these countries depends on upholding mutual respect and pursuing shared interests.

Looking Ahead

As President-elect Trump prepares to assume office, there is an opportunity to build on the legacy of U.S.-Panama collaboration. With an open exchange of views and a commitment to clarity and respect, both nations—and the wider Americas—can reaffirm the principles of the Torrijos-Carter Treaties, ensuring that the operation and practices of the canal remain cooperative and not contentious, and that diplomacy and international order prevails.

https://newsroompanama.com/2025/01/13/misconceptions-about-the-panama-canal-are-being-clarified-daily/

[Moderator_03]

Quote

Fact-checking Donald Trump Regarding the Panama Canal

 January 17, 2025

There is a U.S. national security interest in the canal, said Will Freeman, a fellow in Latin American studies at the Council on Foreign Relations, of Trump’s comments.

US President-elect Donald Trump has made several claims about the Panama Canal that deserve scrutiny. He talks about fraud, ridiculous tariffs, and that the interoceanic waterway is in the hands of the Chinese. The Treaty Concerning the Permanent Neutrality and Operation of the Panama Canal guarantees that the Canal will remain neutral and open to the transit of all nations, in times of peace and war. This treaty, signed by Panama and the United States, is in force and has been endorsed by more than 40 countries. The Panama Canal constitutes an inalienable heritage of the Panamanian nation, and therefore cannot be sold, transferred, mortgaged, or in any other way encumbered or alienated.

Some thirty former Latin American foreign ministers, led by former Panamanian President Martín Torrijos and supported by more than 200 renowned academics and diplomats, issued a joint statement on Friday in which they reject the aspirations of the US president-elect, Donald Trump, regarding the Panama Canal and his possible intention to revive the Monroe Doctrine, a concept historically associated with the hegemonic control of the United States over Latin America. In a statement released Friday by the Latin American Reflection Roundtable, the former diplomats emphasize that “the fundamental basis of American coexistence has been, is and must be respect for Treaties and International Law.”

 

They also argue that the Panama Canal has been successfully managed by Panama since 1999, following the implementation of the Torrijos-Carter Treaties, and constitutes an example of sovereignty and regional cooperation, “a process that Trump seems to ignore in his recent statements.” The declaration expresses the Latin American community’s rejection of any attempt at regional destabilization that violates its sovereignty, particularly at a time when respect for historic treaties is crucial to maintaining peace and cooperation in the Western Hemisphere.

Defense of the Torrijos-Carter Treaties

The document highlights the historical and symbolic value of the Torrijos-Carter Treaties, signed in 1977 and complied with by all US administrations to date. “These treaties became the basis for new, respectful and constructive relations on the continent,” the text states. Panama’s management of the canal, which has allowed more than 350,000 transits since it took over its administration, has been praised as “safe, efficient and open to all nations of the world with absolute equality and without any discrimination.” The signatories – who include former foreign ministers Enrique Iglesias (Uruguay), José Miguel Insulza (Chile), Sergio Lafer (Brazil), Alan Wagner (Peru), Marta Lucía Ramírez (Colombia) and José Antonio García Belaunde (Peru), among others – emphasize that Trump’s statements “ignore this historical reality and distort what has been achieved with the treaties that his own country signed and has so far respected.” They also warn that any attempt to exploit the Panama Canal in a “geopolitical dispute with China” constitutes an act of irresponsibility that violates Panamanian sovereignty and the principles of international law.

Against the return of the Monroe Doctrine

The statement emphasizes that Trump’s words and actions echo the Monroe Doctrine – summarized in the phrase “America for the Americans” and presented in 1823 by President James Monroe (1817-1825) before the US Congress – a policy considered interventionist that for centuries justified US interference in the internal affairs of Latin American countries. In the words of the former foreign ministers, “it would be unthinkable and unacceptable for threats and coercion to become new instruments of the United States’ foreign policy toward Latin America and the Caribbean.” The signatories point out that reviving this doctrine represents a regression to practices that contravene the diplomatic and sovereign advances achieved in the region. In its statement, the Latin American Roundtable emphasizes that peace and security on the American continent “rest on dialogue, cooperation, understanding and respect for international law.” Therefore, they call on both the United States administration and the international community to respect Panama’s sovereignty and to refrain from using the canal as a tool of geopolitical confrontation.

Migrant Fast Lane Exposes Trump’s Challenge in Central America

The incoming US president wants to halt a wave of migration. But Panama and Costa Rica are helping expedite the trek through their territory. After the passage through dense jungle, torrential rain and a raging river, Junior Mendoza stepped onto a tour bus for what would be the easiest part of a hard journey, for his family and hundreds of thousands of migrants headed to the US. The migration continues, although slowing down.

https://newsroompanama.com/2025/01/17/fact-checking-donald-trump-regarding-the-panama-canal/