Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino on Sunday rejected US President-elect Donald Trump's threat to regain control of this passageway between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.
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“The canal is not controlled, directly or indirectly, by China, the European Community, the United States or any other power. As a Panamanian, I firmly reject any expression that distorts this reality,” said Mr. Mulino, in a video on his X account, without explicitly mentioning Donald Trump.
This statement follows the threat made on Saturday by the latter on his Truth Social network.
“Our navy and commerce are being treated particularly unfairly […] Rights [de passage] what Panama is charging are ridiculous,” declared the Republican, who must succeed Democrat Joe Biden on January 20.
“This total ‘scam’ of our country will stop immediately,” he promised.
Control of the Panama Canal, completed by the United States in 1914, was fully returned to the Central American country in 1999, under an agreement signed by Democratic President Jimmy Carter in 1977.
“It was up to Panama to handle it, not China or anyone else,” Mr. Trump wrote on Saturday. “We would NEVER allow it to fall into the wrong hands!”
If Panama is not able to guarantee “the safe, efficient and reliable operation” of this sea route, “we will then demand that the Panama Canal be returned to us, in full, and without discussion,” he said. he continued.
The Panamanian president responded by demanding “respect” for his country and assured that “every m2 of the Panama Canal and its adjacent areas belongs to Panama and will continue to belong to it.”
“The sovereignty and independence of our country are non-negotiable,” he added.
“Any attempt” to end Panama’s management of the canal is “an offense,” a former president of the country, Martín Torrijos (2004-2009), also judged on Instagram.
Despite Mr. Trump's statements, Mr. Mulino hopes to have “a good and respectful relationship” with the future American administration, to address subjects such as illegal immigration or drug trafficking.
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