Panama’s president responds to Trump’s intentions of “taking back” Panama Canal
Pravda Ukraine
The President of Panama, José Raúl Mulino, has responded to US President Donald Trump’s pledge to “take back” the Panama Canal, insisting that the key waterway will remain under Panama’s control.
Source: AFP; Mulino on X (Twitter)
Quote: “I must comprehensively reject the words of President Donald Trump. The canal is and will remain Panama’s.”
Details: Mulino also rejected Trump’s claim that China is operating the canal. “There is no presence of any nation in the world that interferes,” Mulino said.
Mulino stressed that the canal was not transferred under a concession [an agreement on transferring natural resources, enterprises or other economic facilities for temporary use to other states – UP]. It was the result of generational struggles that culminated in the Torrijos-Carter Treaty in 1999.
Mulino said that for 25 uninterrupted years, Panama has administered the canal “responsibly” and expanded it to “serve the world and its commerce”, including the United States.
The Panamanian president also called on the US president to engage in dialogue.
Background: Trump vowed in his inauguration speech to take back control of the Panama Canal, which is “being operated by China”, and to rename the Gulf of Mexico the “Gulf of America”.
Support UP or become our patron!