As discussions about potential U.S. military involvement loom, Panama's officials firmly reject any notion of selling or losing control of the Panama Canal. They emphasize the irreversible nature of their sovereignty, following Trump’s controversial remarks regarding its oversight.
Panama Asserts Non-Negotiable Control Over Canal Amid Trump's Claims
Panama Asserts Non-Negotiable Control Over Canal Amid Trump's Claims
In the wake of Donald Trump's provocative statements, Panama's foreign minister reaffirms the country's sovereign control over the Panama Canal, asserting that its management is firmly in Panamanian hands.
Panama has firmly declared that its sovereignty over the Panama Canal is "non-negotiable" after US President-elect Donald Trump suggested the possibility of using military force to assert control over the landmark waterway. Trump's controversial comments came during a press conference where he inaccurately claimed that the canal was operated by Chinese soldiers. This provoked a swift response from Panama's Foreign Minister Javier Martínez-Acha, emphasizing that "the only hands operating the canal are Panamanian and that is how it is going to stay."
Historically, the Panama Canal was under US management until it was handed over to Panama as part of a treaty signed by former President Jimmy Carter in 1977. The official transfer occurred on 31 December 1999. Trump voiced strong disapproval of this decision, calling it "a big mistake," while simultaneously expressing interest in acquiring both the Panama Canal and Greenland.
When pressed about the potential use of military action to gain control of these regions, Trump refrained from dismissing the possibility, stating, "No, I can't assure you on either of those two." Martínez-Acha rebutted Trump's assertions, clarifying that no offers had been made to Panama regarding the canal and highlighting their historic fight for its sovereignty.
Although Panama's president, José Raúl Mulino, has not yet made a direct statement regarding Trump's latest declarations, he recently assured attendees at a ceremony honoring the 25th anniversary of the canal's transfer that it "will stay in our control forever." Previously, he criticized Trump's unfounded claims suggesting Chinese military involvement in the canal, imploring, "there are no Chinese soldiers in the canal, for the love of God."
Panama's government maintains its position, stating it is eager to foster positive relationships with all U.S. administrations, while emphasizing its sovereignty on such a crucial national asset as the Panama Canal.
