PANAMA CITY (AP) — During a meeting with Panama’s president, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized the need for Panama to reduce perceived Chinese influence over the Panama Canal area. Rubio warned that the Trump administration would consider taking necessary actions if this issue is not addressed.
Rubio’s visit to Panama, his first international trip as Secretary of State, included discussions with President Jose Raul Mulino. Mulino has resisted pressure from the U.S. government regarding Panama’s management of the vital waterway for global trade.
According to the U.S. State Department, Rubio conveyed President Trump’s stance that the current situation at the canal is deemed unacceptable. Without immediate changes, the U.S. would take measures to protect its rights under a treaty with Panama.
This update comes amid escalating tensions between the U.S. and its neighbors. President Trump’s recent actions, such as imposing tariffs on Canada and Mexico, have heightened diplomatic pressures. Rubio’s visit aims to address concerns over the Panama Canal, a site of significant interest for Trump.
President Mulino has reiterated that there will be no negotiations regarding the ownership of the canal. Protests have erupted in Panama against Trump’s proposals, with demonstrators expressing their support for national sovereignty.
Rubio’s visit is also intended to focus on shared interests such as migration and combating drug trafficking. However, the U.S. aid freeze and program shutdowns in Central America have impacted efforts in these areas.
The issue of reclaiming control over the Panama Canal amidst China’s influence remains a key point of discussion. Rubio and Trump are determined to address this matter, despite resistance from regional leaders and the Panamanian government’s opposition to the idea of returning the canal to U.S. control.
The canal, which was transferred to Panama in 1999, remains a point of contention between the two nations. The diverging views on this topic highlight the complex dynamics of international relations in the region.
In the context of negotiations concerning ownership, there is speculation that Panama might be amenable to a potential compromise. This compromise could involve the transfer of canal operations from the Hong Kong-based Hutchison Ports company. The company was granted a 25-year extension without a competitive bidding process to manage the operations. An audit is currently underway to assess the validity of this extension, potentially leading to a reevaluation of the process.
There is uncertainty regarding whether President Trump would approve of the concession being transferred to an American or European entity in alignment with his broader objectives, which seemingly extend beyond mere operational considerations.
Senator Rubio’s upcoming trip, which includes visits to El Salvador, Costa Rica, Guatemala, and the Dominican Republic, coincides with a suspension of U.S. foreign aid to the region. The State Department announced that Rubio has granted waivers for specific essential programs in the countries he will be visiting. However, detailed information regarding these waivers has not yet been disclosed.
Juan Zamorano, an Associated Press writer, contributed to the reporting of this information.
