Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino reacted harshly on December 22 to US President-elect Donald Trump's threat to regain control of the Panama Canalwhich connects the Atlantic and Pacific oceans.
“The canal it is not controlled, either directly or indirectlyfrom China, from the European Union, from the United States or from any other power,” he wrote on the social network X, without naming Trump.
The day before, the US president-elect had lashed out against Panama on his social network Truth Social. “Our military and commercial ships are treated unfairly. The rates that are imposed on us are ridiculous. This attempt to cheat us must stop immediately,” said Trump, who will take office in the White House on January 20.
Control of the Panama Canal, construction of which was completed by the United States in 1914, was returned to the Central American country in 1999under an agreement signed by Democratic President Jimmy Carter in 1977.
“But Panama should have managed the canal, not China or others. We won't let it fall into the wrong hands! If Panama is unable to ensure the safe, efficient and reliable operation of the canal, we will demand that it be returned to us, without discussion,” he said. Then, shortly thereafter, Mulino's response arrived: “The sovereignty and independence of our country are non-negotiable”.
